Senator Musto answers some frequently asked questions on education issues facing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

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?

The initiatives launched by Governor Rendell have helped bring adequacy and equity to public school funding in Pennsylvania. These initiatives include, for example, the five-tiered formula for distribution of the basic education subsidy and the foundation, growth, poverty, ESL supplements, among others. These efforts need to be pursued. However, we cannot permit the budget to determine education policy. We must, finally, determine whether this spending is in fact "adequate." A statewide "costing out" study, similar to the one completed in the Allentown School District, must be conducted. Such study will show what level of funding is needed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to meet the academic standards now an essential part of Pennsylvania's standards-based reform. The Legislature should support both the current funding initiatives and the costing out study.

2. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania's regulations for academic standards and graduation requirements as well as the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) 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" (required by NCLB) toward that goal?

The initiatives launched by Governor Rendell are all helping in this regard. School districts can use Accountability Block Grant monies in several ways, including the establishment of pre-K or kindergarten programs and tutoring programs, both of which have been shown to enhance student performance. Project 720 monies are available to help schools transform their academic programs to ensure that all students take a rigorous high school curriculum. The Governor's recent initiatives, to ramp up the teaching of science in the elementary schools and to put a lap top computer on the desk of every high school English, math, science and social studies student will also contribute to this effort. The Legislature should support both the existing programs with additional funding and fund the new programs.

3. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to close the academic achievement gaps that exist among groups of students in schools and school districts across the Commonwealth?

It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that these achievement gaps do not exist (See response to Question 1).

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?

The Rendell Administration has increased Head Start funds; it has encouraged the use of Accountability Block Grant monies to establish pre-K or kindergarten programs. The Department of Education is developing academic standards for early childhood education. The State Board of Education is contemplating separate certification of teachers in early childhood education and in elementary education. We must ensure that there is adequate money to fund the contracts that the State has with the many high-quality private providers of early childhood education. All of these efforts will increase access to and the quality of pre-school programs.

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?

My vision is of a seamless system of public education for every student, no matter his/her gender, race, economic circumstances, or native language, from pre-K through graduation from a post-secondary institution and installation into a high paying, secure job. (See answers to previous questions).

 

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