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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 school property tax is unfair, inequitable and punishes homeowners on fixed on near-fixed incomes. I support a tax-shift to an existing broad-based tax system, based on ability to pay. I support the expansion of PHEAA into elementary and high school funding. I support fair funding for every student regardless of race, creed or school district. 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 continue to publish adequate information and report cards to evaluate performance. We should recognize and reward "best practices." 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) We should focus on improving every student in every school to increase school district performance overall. Education should be student improvement-based. 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 should encourage and pass legislation to expand PHEAA into pre-K, elementary and high school. 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) Just as nations compete at the Olympics, just as companies compete in the global marketplace, Pennsylvania must compete in the global education system deployed in the world. We must help provide the tools and incentives for student success today and in the future for a lifetime of learning and improving.
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