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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 strength of Pennsylvania's system is that it funds various areas such as Basic Subsidy, Transportation, Health Services Etc. The Weakness of the system is that it's not enough money. Many poor and rural Districts are not properly funded by the State, these District's have little or a shrinking tax base. We must fund these districts by at least 50% of their budgets and ensure all young people have a equal opportunity for a quality education. 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) Unfortunately the federal government handed the states another unfunded mandate. The state should continue to help with teacher tutorial money. The state's rule is much more strict than other states, they may ease their position on No Child Left Behind. Special needs children scores should not be compared with Regular Ed kids. The state must let local school boards and the district be accountable to the community for the education of their kids. 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 must have equitable funding for all students. Students should have a quality education no matter where they live. We must have the recent block grant money provided as a new incentive to the schools be a permanent payment in the Basic Education and Special Education Funding. We must have additional transportation funding because of the extra after school programs some districts have initiated. 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) The money proposed for full day kindergarten must not have a one or two year payment but must be made permanent. Pre-K programs should have equal funding from both the State and Federal Governments. 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 stated in prior comments, every child has a right to receive a quality education no matter their address. Equitable funding must be given to those who are being shortchanged in their education. We must continue various tutoring programs for all our teachers in all districts. I cannot legislate excellence in education. I will help create conditions that school districts, higher education and The Department of Education will work together to share the best practices for our kids. I will fight for equitable funding for all districts.
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