 |
|
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) Historically, the blend of local, state and federal funding for education has provided a sufficient level of funding for the 501 school districts. The fairness of this system is under attack now because of funding equity issues. I believe it is time to renovate the way that public education is funded in Pennsylvania. I support HBs 2750 -2753. 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 support the NCLB act and the benefits that the students of Pennsylvania will receive as a result of this legislation. There needs to be performance standards in our schools that guarantee that teachers who do a good job are rewarded. The way to pay for NCLB should be included in the plan to renovate public education funding in Pennsylvania. 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) Support the NCLB act principles. 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) We should address the root cause of the problem of why some people say that we need these programs. I believe the root cause is the lack of a "learning environment" in the family unit in which many children of Pennsylvania are raised. These programs are only a "band aid" fix for this problem. 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) My vision is that every child should have an equal right and opportunity to the best level of education available. Each student and their parents also need to accept the responsibility to exercise this right and maximize the student's potential. I would accomplish this vision by renovating the way that public education is funded in Pennsylvania.
|