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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) There is too much inequity in how we fund education. This places a significant burden on property owners. I will vote to increase the states share of education spending and create a more equitable distribution throughout the Commonwealth. 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 believe the No Child Left Behind Act was well-intentioned, but it has failed in my community. If the federal government does not fix and fund the law, I will vote to repeal it in Pennsylvania and put our local educators back in charge of our children's education - not bureaucrats in Washington and Harrisburg. 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) It starts with the equitable distribution of state funding. Then we must make sure to help children from the early stages by funding early childhood education. We also must make optional full-day kindergarten available for all Pennsylvania children. At the same time, we must adequately fund special education to help every student achieve his or her full potential. 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) We must support the Governor's early childhood education initiatives. I will vote to fund his programs and push aggressively for full-day 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) Public education should be available at every level - from full day kindergarten to college. I will work to create tuition assistance to let high achieving, low-income students get tuition assistance to state colleges and universities. Public education is the backbone of our community and I will fight tirelessly to protect and enhance our children's education.
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