NEA-Alaska Federal Candidate Questionnaire 

Candidate: Frank Vondersaar

Office: U.S. Representative

 

Candidate responses exceeding 30 words have been truncated.

 

Elementary & Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind

 

The Elementary & Secondary Education Act, known as No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB), has not worked well for Alaska’s schools and children. 

 

1.  What amendments will you make to ESEA/NCLB to make the law work for Alaska’s schools and children?

Special consideration for certain sub-groups of students, greater funding and greater flexibility.

2.  What level of federal funding would you support to help schools meet the requirements for ESEA/NCLB?

Higher

 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

1.  Will you support full funding for IDEA?  (Full funding is defined as funding at the 40% of mandated costs level that was promised when the IDEA was first adopted by Congress in the 1970’s)

Yes

Explain: I would vote for greater funding.

 

2.  Do you believe that students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) should be held to the same academic standards as students who are not identified as special education students?

No

Explain: Standards should be adjusted to abilities.

 

OTHER FEDERAL ISSUES

1.   To what extent do you believe the federal government should be able to control education policies in Alaska?

Set broad guidelines and minimum funding levels.

 

2.  If you are elected to the U.S. (Senate/House) will you support bills or resolutions that provide public funds to private or religious schools?

    

No

Explain: I support strict seperation of church and state and oppose taking funding from public schools.

3.  Will you support elimination of the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provisions (GPO/WEP) of the Social Security law?

Yes

Explain:

 

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