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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) I am pleased with recent efforts to target education funding to meaningful programs. These efforts, through the Accountability Grant Program, are a positive step toward making an adequate investment in education. Unfortunately, our current system has created and perpetuated a deep disparity between school districts based on their location and tax base. To that end, I believe we need to explore proposals aimed at addressing the problem of equity in our school funding system. 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) Reading, math, and science are important subjects that ever student needs in order to succeed in our society. However, it's unfair for the federal government to mandate certain standards on local governments or school districts with little or no financial assistance. Consequently, without the needed federal support, I think it's important for the Commonwealth to dedicate resources needed to meet these requirements, 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) We need an equitable system that levels the playing field between poor and wealthy school districts. We need to ensure that regions where the economy, and hence, property values and jobs are on the rise do not receive more funding than school districts where there is severe unemployment, low property values, and large populations of persons on fixed incomes. 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 believe these are important components in public education. Therefore, I believe we need to encourage school districts to recognize the value of these programs. I also believe that if school districts are to embrace these programs, the state needs to provide necessary resources to make these high-quality pre-K programs and full-day kindergarten programs possible. 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) As a former school board member and spouse of a retired teacher, I believe in public education and will support measures to improve it. Education is the keystone of Pennsylvania. For society, it strengthens and secures our economy. For the individual, it provides a foundation of basic and advanced skills, fosters curiosity, and instills a love of learning. Since every Pennsylvania child deserves a solid education, I will endeavor to make this dream a reality.
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