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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 Legislature sold us the idea that they were going to reduce property taxes by using casino taxes. So instead of "property taxes" make it "school taxes" part that is replaced first. If the state is distributing school taxes then it would be based on # of students not how high the property values are in a wealthy suburb. So distributions could be more equitable. 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 am a high school and Jr Hi teacher. I get kids that have been promoted that cannot read and don't even know the sounds of the letters. Schools should be rewarded to retaining a child in a grade until the are proficient in that grade's requirements and punished (financially) if they promote a child that cannot pass a proficiency test so that never again will someone arrive in 9th grade who cannot read! or do long division. 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) In eastern PA, Spanish speaking aides should be in classrooms not only to help explain what the teacher is talking about but help them learn English that will help them as they later work in America. If they use casino taxes to more equitably distribute funds, more kids will be exposed to microscopes, computer networks, computer aided drafting and design, ban saws, planers, metal bending equipment, etc. All these machines can be used by students with language or math problems. 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) For 23 years my late wife taught all-day Kindergarten, she used U of Pittsburgh "Math 3" to teach problem solving and math and the kids liked it so much that during afternoon free time they wanted to play math games. 80%-100% of her kids were reading by the end of Kindergarten. It takes twice as many Kindergarten teachers to have all-day but it is worth it so Sch Dist's should be financially rewarded for providing pre-K programs and all-day Kindergarten. 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 vote against any bill that uses casino taxes to pay for anything but property taxes. No convention centers, or sports venues or anything that does not reduce or eliminate property taxes. I also would want school taxes reduced before municipal or county taxes. I'd reduce the 2nd 2 only after school taxes are eliminated.
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