| NEWS RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ron Cowell |
| April 28, 2006 |
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The Education Policy and Leadership Center |
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717-260-9900 or 412-298-4796 |
PENNSYLVANIA CANDIDATES RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION, RESPONSES POSTED FOR VOTERS
Harrisburg, Pa. - The Education Policy and Leadership Center today announced responses for the Pennsylvania Public Education Issues Survey, which was sent to all Pennsylvania candidates running for State Senator and State Representative in the
May 16 primary election. The survey was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Education Funding Advocacy Group, a coalition of 19 non-partisan regional and statewide organizations. It is the only statewide education issues survey of legislative candidates with responses publicly posted for voter information. The candidates' responses are now posted on the EPLC web site, www.eplc.org.
"This Education Issues Survey is an important voter information tool," said Ron Cowell, President of The Education Policy and Leadership Center. "It is meant to stimulate a vigorous discussion among candidates and voters about key public education issues."
In the survey, candidates were asked about their visions for the state's education funding system, the No Child Left Behind Act, closing the achievement gap, early childhood education, and the educational opportunities they feel should be available to every Pennsylvania child. Responses were received from 110 candidates for the General Assembly, representing 26% of candidates seeking election to the Pennsylvania Senate and 19% of candidates seeking election to the Pennsylvania House. The candidates' responses are not used for endorsement purposes. Candidates who did not respond by the April 12 deadline are listed as "Did Not Respond."
The organizations that participated in the Pennsylvania Education Funding Advocacy Group and co-sponsored the Pennsylvania Public Education Issues Survey are: The Education Policy and Leadership Center, The ARC of Pennsylvania, A+ Schools, Education Law Center, Good Schools Pennsylvania, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA, PA Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, PA Association of Rural and Small Schools, PA Association of School Administrators, PA Council of Churches, PA Association of Vocational Administrators, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Pennsylvania Public Education Partnership (Mon Valley Education Consortium-Lancaster Foundation for Educational Enrichment-Philadelphia Education Fund), Pennsylvania PTA, PA School Boards Association, PA Association of School Business Officials, and Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth.
The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based in Harrisburg, PA. The mission of EPLC is to encourage and support the use of more effective state-level education policies to improve student learning in grades P-12, increase the effective operation of schools, and enhance educational opportunities for citizens of all ages.
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