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for 2004 Pennsylvania General Election Legislative Candidates
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Pennsylvania's system of funding public education? What should the Pennsylvania Legislature do, if anything, to improve the system of funding public education? (75 words or less) The two tiered system of local and state taxes to fund public education is no longer able to produce the revenue necessary to fund our schools. We must fund our schools 100% from state revenues. This must be accomplished by maintaining local control adequately providing funding for poorer and also high growth districts. House Bills 2750, 2751, 2752 and 2753 will accomplish this. 2. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act that expects every student to demonstrate proficiencies on state assessments in reading, math and science by 2014, and for all schools to demonstrate "adequate yearly progress" toward that goal? (75 words or less) This legislative session produced an unprecedented level of funding ($200 million) for local school districts to use to help students achieve academic proficiency. This initiative, the Pennsylvania Accountability (Block) Grant program, allows districts to target their funds toward programs of their choice that meet district and student needs. In addition, the $19 million in tutoring funds will enable the lowest-performing students in our state to receive the extra assistance they need to succeed. 3. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to close the academic achievement gap that exists among groups of students in schools and school districts across the Commonwealth? (75 words or less) Having the assurance of the PA System of State Assessment (PSSA) test as a reliable and valid measurement of identifying student achievement is a critical first step. The Block Grants mentioned above provide significant funds to our Commonwealth's struggling districts as a way of closing the gap among districts. Using the available tutoring grants (Educational Assistance Program and Classroom Plus) enables districts to help the neediest students overcome the achievement gap with their peers. 4. What, if anything, should the Pennsylvania Legislature do to increase access for young children in Pennsylvania to high-quality pre-K programs and full-day kindergarten programs? (75 words or less) Among the numerous options available to local school districts under the Pennsylvania Accountability Grant program are the use of funds to implement or expand pre-kindergarten programs and full-day kindergarten program. This General Assembly also approved state funding to supplement the federal Head Start program, which is considered one of the most significant early childhood development programs here in PA. State funding with local flexibility should provide the increased access to such programs. 5. What is your vision of the public education opportunity that should be available to every child in Pennsylvania and what will you do to accomplish that goal? (75 words or less) Every Pennsylvania student deserves access to an adequate public education that properly prepares him/her for future success. Defining "adequacy" of an education is the challenge before us. Once adequacy is determined, this Legislature must tie state appropriations to implementation of an adequate public education for all students. I have supported a record level of education appropriation that established the foundation to fund public education based upon adequacy of funding.
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