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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 strength of our educational funding system lies in our current formula. It recognizes critical components of district funding (e.g. growth, district size, strength of economy and targets appropriations to see those areas. It is noteworthy that the largest amounts of new money are directed to the Commonwealth's poorer school districts. The challenge is to identify what constitutes an "Adequate Education" and to appropriate money to districts accordingly. 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 session produced an unprecedented level of funding ($200 million) for local school districts to use to help students achieve academic proficiency. The Pennsylvania Accountability (Block) Grant program, allows districts to target their funds toward programs of their choice which 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 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 is the use of funds to implement or expand pre-kindergarten program and the 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) 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. There is more for us to do. We might have gone further if those who campaigned two years ago on a platform to improve education funding had not focused almost exclusively on passing gambling legislation.
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