 |
|
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) There are very few strengths to our current school funding system. First, Pennsylvania ranks 46th in the nation in providing funds from the state level. Our system relies mainly on local property taxes, creating a tremendous strain on Pennsylvania's home owners and a lack of equity in school funding. School districts with a smaller than average tax base simply cannot make up the lack of state funding. Not surprisingly, the top school districts in the state spend nearly $8,000 per student, while the state's worst performing schools spend, on average, slightly more than $6,000 per student. This does not suggest that money is the only solution. Rather, it is proof that we must start with equitable funding and ensure that the investments are spent on proven educational programs like smaller class sizes. 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) I do not, and will not, support massive, unfunded mandates. However, Governor Rendell took dramatic steps to ease the dilemma created by No Child Left Behind by passing his Plan for a New Pennsylvania. Through his proposal, local school districts can invest in proven educational proposals or direct funding towards the mandates created by this federal program. However, we have more work to do. We must ensure equitable funding so that less affluent school districts with fewer property owners can achieve success. Additionally, we must continue to reduce class size, provide more individual attention and invest in stronger early childhood education. 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) Simply throwing money at our schools is never the right approach. That's why I support investments in proven educational programs like smaller class sizes and early childhood education. We can, and will, close the achievement gap in our schools by reaching kids before they fall through the cracks, by providing individual attention at an early age, by giving our students the best start they can possibly receive, by demanding accountability and by encouraging more parental involvement. 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) As the husband of a public school teacher, I know that nothing is more important than reaching our children at an early age and ensuring the best education in the world. Sadly, by the time many students reach middle school or high school, they have fallen far behind their peers in reading and math skills. To resolve this problem, we must provide universal, full day kindergarten and greater access to pre-kindergarten programs for all children. 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 child in Pennsylvania deserves access to high quality public education. Ensuring that Pennsylvania's public schools fulfill this charge requires both good teachers and good facilities. As State Representative I would work to provide our children with both of these by increasing State funding for education; encouraging efficient local control of schools; and taking a sensible approach to benchmarking which uses testing while allowing our teachers to play a role in the accountability process.
|