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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 strengths are an excellent public education system in most parts of the state, but the obvious weakness is lack of uniformity of good schools everywhere. Presently, some districts receive as much as 70% funding from the state - some as little as 15%, so it seems apparent that money alone is not the solution. 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 $19 million in tutoring funds should be very useful to school districts to help demonstrate proficiencies. In addition, the block grants given to each district to use for educational proposals important to them should be helpful. 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) Again, block grants and tutoring help will be very useful and the PSSA tests will identify where help is needed. 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 Pennsylvania Accountability grant program can be used for this if a school district desires to do so. It gives individual districts the choice of where funds are most needed. 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) We need to assure access to quality education for all students - really wish I knew how to assure all kids had a safe home environment and could come to school ready to learn.
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