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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) Property taxes are inherently unrealistic and unfair. No tax based on a "by guess and by golly" system can be defended. Sales taxes won't work - are regressive. We must face up to the fact that only an income tax is workable - that is, only a levy based on income. Also, the entire public funding distribution system must be re-examined to seek improved distribution equity. 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) No Child Left Behind is a dismal failure and should be abandoned. It's time that federal and state government get out of a business about which they know nothing and let the experienced educational professionals run the system. Laws prohibiting lawsuits for disciplining children need to be enacted. 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) Develop and disseminate detailed model curricula that have been demonstrated as effective, and provide extensive training to school districts and teachers who opt to use these curricula. Pass laws supporting return of discipline to the classroom without fear of lawsuits, strengthen laws and protections to remove incompetent teachers. 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) Develop and disseminate model curricula and materials and provide extensive training to school districts and teachers who opt to use these curricula and materials. Fund pre-K and kindergarten programs at 1.5 times the funding for other grades. 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) Education should support "mastery learning" to assure that every child is encouraged to perform to that child's maximum ability. All children can learn virtually anything using a mastery learning approach. Increase emphasis on applied learning strategies.
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