PA Public Education Issues Survey Responses Released

(HARRISBURG) - The results of the Pennsylvania Public Education Issues Survey of candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly and a new web site for voter information were released today. The survey was conducted by the Pennsylvania Education Funding Advocacy Group, a coalition of 17 regional and statewide non-partisan organizations. It is the only statewide education issues survey of legislative candidates with responses publicly posted for voter information. "We appreciate those candidates who responded to the survey and felt an obligation to inform voters about their thoughts on significant education policy issues," said Ron Cowell, president of The Education Policy and Leadership Center, a Survey sponsor. The Education Funding Advocacy Group surveyed all 2004 general election candidates for the Pennsylvania Senate and Pennsylvania House of Representatives 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 10 candidates for State Senator and 61 candidates for State Representative. There are a total of 379 legislative candidates on the November 2 ballot. The Senate candidates had a 22% overall response rate and a rate of 25% in contested races. House candidates had an 18% overall response rate and a rate of 22% in contested races.