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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) Strengths would include strong PSSA results (in my area). Weaknesses are highlighted by how we fund our public school systems. I favor complete elimination of our current school property tax system and replacing it with a sales tax based system. Too many senior citizens are losing their homes. 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) As it currently does - financial "rewards" for districts meeting the AYP expectations and DOE assistance for those not meeting the expectations. 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) It has to do with proper funding. Property poor districts currently underperforming are truly in trouble to meet AYP achievement expectations. I refer again to my #1 answer: Fund education by sales tax. 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) I do not favor full day kindergarten. As the father of an active 5 year old, I feel the format does not apply well toward creating a lifelong level of learning. Half day K and pre-K programs DO merit funding attention and enhancement. 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 that leaves my classroom knows my expectation: that someday our economy will depend on them being productive citizens. Our schools need to focus on preparing our adolescence for my goal.
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