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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 funding of public education through property taxes is a cause of great discord. This is unfortunate because this tends to draw attention away from our responsibility to adequately fund our schools, focusing instead upon the means by which these funds are obtained. A more equitable means of obtaining these funds must be found. Eliminating the property tax and introducing a revised sales tax or a wage tax are alternatives that must be investigated. 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 goal of the No Child Left Behind Act is honorable and valuable. However, I feel there are modifications that would make the program fairer to the schools. Students that have reduced intelligence levels and those considered as Special Needs individuals should not be held to the same standard as the general student population. In addition, I fear that "teaching to test" rather than focusing on fundamentals is a disservice to students. 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) I think we all realize that there are schools that do not adequately prepare their students. "Bad" schools need to be identified and directed to improve their programs so children are able to demonstrate minimum proficiencies at the fundamentals. A school voucher program, which allows parents to place children in more successful programs, may be an option. Cooperative programs where several school districts join together to form programs for under-performing students can be considered. 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) If there are areas of the state where access to Pre-K and full-day Kindergarten programs is unavailable, I am not aware of them. If this is the case, shared programs between neighboring districts may be possible. Extremely rural areas may have the obstacle of distance to overcome but it should not prevent access by our youngest students. If legislation were needed to allow this to happen then I would support it. 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) Children are our future. If we do not adequately prepare them we do so to the detriment of our entire society. Each child in Pennsylvania should have access to a school that is able to provide the education fundamentals that will allow them to take their place as viable, contributing citizens. Ensuring that our schools are adequately funded, that our educators are competent and that the schools are properly equipped should be our goals.
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