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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) Pennsylvania needs to honor its constitution that declares the state responsible for public education. I would move funding from school districts local property taxes to funding by state income tax. Property taxes vary according to the value of assessments & wealthier communities can generate more funds. I would start the process of ammending our constitution so our state income tax is progressive so low income & working families are not unfairly burdened. I would move to repeal the slot machines method of raising money for schools. 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) We should work to repeal this act which emphasizes penalties & teaching to the test. But I would support a test or other way of measuring progress developed by PA teachers. As long as the act is in place I would support workbooks & guides to help teachers, parents & students meet the goals. 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) The above equal funding through state taxes rather than local property taxes. Create school loan forgiveness for teachers to teach in low achievement areas. 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) Support daycare on now - the job for working parents. Invite parents & local citizens to volunteer for preschool & kindergarten. 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) Pennsylvania should consider public education to be the most important responsibility to be borne by the state government & shared by local schools, communities & families. We should educate our children to be informed citizens who stand up & speak out instead of obedient workers who are told to "sit down & shut up." I would support a commission to investigate the best methods used around the world in classes, home & via the internet & in the community & press to have these adopted for all our children in PA.
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