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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) We are finally reversing the downward trend of state funding for public education that was the hallmark of the Ridge-Schweiker Administrations. We need to do more. We also need to replace the property tax as the primary source of local funding for education. It is unfair and obsolete. 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) The Federal No Child Left Behind Act has set laudable goals but unfortunately, like most federal mandates, does not provide funding. I don't think the state should be financially responsible for their delinquency. 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) Increase the state share of funding for basic education. Reduce the gap of funding and resources available among the state's 501 school districts. 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 state should provide adequate funding for quality Pre-K programs such as Head Start. We should encourage and fund full-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) Every child is entitled to a quality public education regardless of where they live. There should not be such a huge discrepancy between poor districts and wealthy districts.
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