Conducted by the Pennsylvania Education Funding Advocacy Group for 2004 Pennsylvania General Election Legislative Candidates Name: Nick Kotik Candidate for: State Representative Party: Democrat District: 45 (Allegheny County) 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) Public education should be funded on a basis of ability to pay. The current system is unfair and too reliant on the property tax. There are no strengths!!! We should look at school mergers and equity as a means of improving poor school districts. 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 must move toward more equitable funding. Without adequate resources, No Child Left Behind will only be a slogan, not a goal. The affluent school districts must realize that all Pennsylvanians suffer when funding equity remains a barrier to real programs. 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) Equity- Number one priority Economic opportunities for families Breakdown of class barriers Commitment to excellence in rural and urban areas 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) Educate the citizens of Pennsylvania about its importance for the future of our Commonweatlth Provide more opportunities in depressed rural and urban areas for teachers to reach out to the community 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) I will continue to support Governor Rendell's educational initiatives. We are one Pennsylvania and for everyone's benefit we must all cooperate to improve public education for all segments of our society. Survey Homepage | Candidates By District | Alphabetical Index (House Candidates)