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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 ranks high in the total dollars (State & Local) going to fund public schools. Additionally, I think the mix of state and local revenue makes both governing entities stake holders in the success of the education system. The biggest weakness is that state funding in NOT formula driven. Moving to a formula driven model that appropriates state revenue based on enrollment is important to stabilizing school funding and creating equity. 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) Obviously the $200 million appropriated to the districts from the Accountability Block Grant program initiated in the '03-'04 budget is a great start and should be continued. The program provides flexibility to the local schools to drive revenue to the programs most successful for individual school systems. Additionally, we need to press the Federal Government to fund NCLB & special ed. mandates to a greater level. 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 Block Grant program mentioned in question 2 is a good start. Utilizing this new program combined with the Education Assistance Program and Classroom Plus programs should provide some excellent tools to help struggling districts. Providing low income care givers tax credits to enroll children in successful early childhood education programs would also help close the gap between districts. 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) The Accountability Block Grant program, in addition to the other things mention above, provides for a number of early childhood education initiatives. The program provides the local districts the ability to direct funds toward the most at risk children maximizing the efficiency of available dollars. In addition tax credits for low income parents could help support more at risk children in entering Pre-K 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) Every child deserves an excellent education, and the state should be as innovative as necessary to provide local educators the tools to present every opportunity for young people to be fully prepared to enter post secondary education or the work force. Parental involvement is paramount to a successful education, and state and local policy should encourage a synergy between parents and local schools. Additionally innovative programs like the EITC program that encourages businesses to invest in educational innovations should be expanded when possible.
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