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[08/04/1998] [2]
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Tape Restoration Project (TRP) Emails
Tape Restoration Project (TRP) Email from the Office of Policy Development (OPD) Bucket
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03/98
Headline#\ PZP# Magnet School Ready to Open DoorsHeadline #:\ P[P#
By Mary Jean Porter World Reporter
ddSchool District 70 has gained another high school.
ddStarting Aug. 31, Pueblo Technical Academy will open its doors as a technolog
y-science magnet school that is independent of
Pueblo County High, its former p
arent.
ddThe Technical Academy already has its own administration lead teacher Kent
Muckel was reassigned as principal in early June
" and will issue its own repor
t cards and transcripts.
ddStudents no longer will return to County, Rye or Pueblo West high schools for
certain required courses, but will be able to fulfill
all graduation requireme
nts at the academy.
dd"We are no longer affiliated with County High or Rye," said Muckel. "We will
take care of our own attendance and paperwork."
ddThe school will have a four-day week; students will be in classes from 8 a.m.
to 4:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Fridays
will be reserved for teacher pre
paration, student catch-up or extra work the school will be open and some tea
chers will be present
" classes at the University of Southern Colorado or Puebl
o Community College, or jobs for the students who have them, Muckel
said.
ddStudents may be excused from the eighth period of the school day to participa
te in athletics at the other District 70 high schools
or in ROTC at County High
, but they won't be allowed to take elective courses at the other high schools,
Muckel said.
ddThe District 70 school board approved the Technical Academy's four-day week i
n June, with the provision it be monitored for
the first semester.
ddThe decision to separate the academy from County High came last spring after
a long series of meetings involving central
administration, the school board, S
taff and, finally, Technical Academy students, said County Principal Dick Amman
dd"There had been problems with scheduling, transportation, program offerings,
conflicts with courses there and at County," he said.
ddAmman is not sorry to lose the Technical Academy.
dd"I think it has merit on its own. With the staff and leadership it has, I loo
k for it to blossom. And students still will participate in
extracurricular act
ivities with kids at County High."
ddVicki Walter, who has been a teacher aide at the Technical Academy since it o
pened in 1994 and who will do her student teaching
in physical science there th
is fall, thinks the changes are good.
dd"I think it gives them more ownership of the program," she said. "It feels mo
re like a neighborhood school.
dd"I think it's going to be good for the kids but hard work."
ddJohn A. Musso, head of technology at the academy, agreed.
dd"It's going to be a full teaching load eight periods in a day," Musso said.
dd"I think it's great since the workload here is a lot compared to all other SC
hools," said Tony Carleo, a junior. "Friday gives us the
chance to get to the W
ork or to get to sports."
ddTony plays baseball and might go out for football and golf so he likes the ei
ghth-hour arrangement.
ddHe's at the Tech Academy because he's interested in computers.
dd"I want to be something like a CIS (computer information systems) technician,
which they offer at USC (University of Southern
Colorado). All the computers t
hey have here and the integration with USC' I'll have a leg up on the other st
udents.
dd"I do well enough in English but I'm much more interested in technology."
ddKristin Walter, another junior, likes the idea of a four-day week because she
'll have Fridays to work on projects.
ddShe said she might miss a few friends at County High.
ddMuckel said the academy is "pretty rigorous. Students do work pretty hard. It
's upper-level technology. Students are expected to
do some homework every nigh
t.
dd"We try to keep very strict discipline; we feel it's very safe. We haven't ha
d too many problems because of the open space (one
huge room)."
ddCore classes at the academy include English and math at each grade level, SOC
ial studies and science. Electives include advanced
technology, Spanish, beginn
ing and advanced computer-aided drafting and design, advanced math, field exper
ience and the world
of work.
ddThe school will have food service provided by County High and bus service.
ddThe Technical Academy has five teachers and an aide and, at the present, 103
students.
dd"We still want 20 or more students," Muckel said. "We're taking all levels. I
f they're interested in technology or computers they
can give me a call at home
ddMuckel said he's been promised additional staff if an increased number of stu
dents warrants it.
ddFor more information or registration papers, call Muckel at 564-5928 or Ms. W
alter at 547-9041.
dd"
ddVisit The Pueblo Chieftain Online at http://www.chieftain.com/
dd"n
Publication#W\ P\P# 77. Houston Chronicle"Publication" #:\ P]P# 08/02/98; Edi
tion: 2 STAR; Section: A; Page 10
Headline#\ P^P# Public schools crumbling as tax money hard to findHeadline #:\
P P#
By DEB RIECHMANN
WASHINGTON Millions of America's children will return to class this fall in
shabby schools with leaky roofs and toilets, aging
furnaces, cracked foundatio
ns and peeling paint.
ddDeplorable conditions exist in hundreds of the nation's 80,000 public schools
- in rural towns, suburbs and inner cities. They are
literally falling down in
some communities. And with no funds, boilers and windows remain broken, and fi
re code violations are not
corrected.
ddA chimney dropped into a school library in South Dakota last year while stude
nts were away on a long President's Day weekend.
Dry rot, weak foundations and
insulation problems forced officials to condemn an Oregon middle school. Studen
ts now attend class
in trailers set up on the front lawn.
ddComputer wire is simply draped along ceilings at an aging school in Iowa as S
tudents wait for a new school to be built.
dd"It's not unheard of to find a school in a state of disrepair, while just dow
n the road there is a state-of-the-art prison," Education
Secretary Richard Ri
ley says.
ddlt's a problem that can only be corrected with money. But tight education bud
gets, rising enrollment and a reluctance among voters
to pass tax hikes and bon
d issues have left districts with little money to repair and refurbish the nati
on's schools.
ddMore than 14 million children - about a quarter of all school children in the
nation - go to school in buildings that need significant
repairs, Riley said i
n a speech at School No. 16 in Paterson, N.J., which was built over 100 years a
go, around the time the first
immigrants arrived at Ellis Island.
dd"The overall situation has become so bad that the American Society of Civil E
ngineers has said that our schools are our nation's
No. 1 infrastructure proble
m," he says.
ddRiley doesn't have to tell the parents and teachers:
d"Thirty-two of our buildings were built before Charles Lindbergh flew the Spi
rit of St. Louis (in 1927)," says Jan Olson, a high
school counselor in Sioux C
ity, Iowa, where voters were to vote on Aug. 11 to approve a 1-cent sales tax f
or school construction
and repair. "We have one middle school that was built fo
r 450 students that has 750. There are actually more students in the portables
outside than in the building."
dd"Our one middle school, built before World War I, was condemned by the city t
wo years ago. They found a lot of safety problems
- dry rot, not a proper found
ation, paper insulation," says Martin Jones, a teacher in Lebanon, Ore. "The si
xth-graders were moved
back into modular buildings at the elementary. The seven
th- and eighth-graders are in modular buildings on the front lawn."
dd"My husband and I are very concerned and bothered about the condition of publ
ic schools in Austin, especially those old schools
in old inner city neighborho
ods," says Nina Schenck, a parent in Austin, Texas. "The new schools in the sub
divisions look so pretty
from the street and their playing fields and grounds a
re enviable to us who live in town."
ddMoney to build, repair and refurbish schools comes primarily from local and S
tate taxes, but in 1994, Congress approved grants
totaling $100 million to help
The money was slashed in 1995, however, to help balance the federal budget.
ddThis year, the Clinton administration announced a school construction initiat
ive where states and school districts would share $5
billion in construction se
ed money that would spur construction worth as much as $20 billion over two yea
rs.
ddThe federal money would help lower the cost of financing the needed repairs.
Not everyone thinks it's a good idea. Some
conservative members of Congress arg
ue that if federal dollars are used, the cost of the repairs will be inflated b
ecause of laws that
would require districts to pay union wages to workers doing
the work.
ddThe proposal, which has not yet cleared Congress, would be a start, but the p
rice tag to patch the nation's schools is $111 billion,
according to the govern
ment's most recent survey on the condition of schools.
ddThe General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, surveyed 10
,000 schools in 1995 and reported that one-third
serving 14 million students ne
eded extensive repair or replacement of one of more buildings.
ddThe GAO says 38 percent of big-city schools report at least one inadequate bu
ilding, compared with 30 percent of schools in rural
areas and 29 percent in th
e suburbs. An estimated 67 percent of inner-city schools, serving nearly 10 mil
lion students, report the need
to repair or replace plumbing, heating or founda
tions.
dd"The facts of the matter are not in dispute at all. America's schools are in
serious disrepair," says Michael Casserly, director of
the Council of the Great
City Schools, which represents the nation's 50 largest urban school systems.
ddHe suspects politics is holding up the federal initiative as legislators find
ways to stall the president's domestic agenda. Also, some
lawmakers in Congres
S think fixing schools is the responsibility of state and local officials - not
the federal government's.
ddLocal bond issues to help schools were failing around the nation in the 1980s
and early 1990s as people moved out of the cities
and there was a declining co
nfidence in public schools, he says. This trend began to turn around a few year
S ago.
ddLast year alone, the council reports that voters passed bond issues for const
ruction and renovation in several large cities, including
a $2.4 billion one in
Los Angeles - the largest ever passed for a school district in the nation; and
$483 million in San Antonio - the
largest ever passed in Texas.
ddIn San Jose, Calif., voters passed a $42 million bond measure after teachers,
administrators and parents went door to door, made
telephone calls and pushed
hard for the money.
dd"We took charge and ran it through," says David Hernandez, a kindergarten tea
cher who is president of the local chapter of theNational Education Association
dd"My school was one of the first to get a face lift - new lights, new cabinets
, new furniture, paint, new cafeteria, wiring for
technology. I felt like I was
in a totally new environment. It changed the mood and tone. You could see the
pride in the school."
ddEducators are crossing their fingers in San Diego, Calif., hoping for the pas
sage of a $1.5 billion bond measure that will be placed
on the Nov. 3 general e
lection ballot.
dd"Our schools are in desperate need of repair," says Ron Ottinger, president o
f the Board of Education. "Roofs are leaking, pipes
are bursting and many class
rooms cannot accommodate today's computer technology.
dd"We have playground equipment that needs to be replaced to meet safety standa
rds, and we have schools without standard libraries
and science labs. The list
goes on and on."
ART Mug: Richard Rileyn
Publication#W\
P'P# 78. The Washington Post"Publication" #:\
PaP# 08/02/98; E
dition: FINAL; Section: Sports; Page D10
Headline#\
PbP# To a Degree, Darrell Green Has Filled the Last Hole in
His Lif
eHeadline #:\ PcP#
By Jennifer Frey
ddFor almost as long as he can remember, Darrell Green has been able to get up
in the morning filled with the faith that he is a good
man. He knows he loves a
nd respects his wife, Jewell. He knows he is a good father, a good Christian an
d a responsible member of
the community. He knows he is good at what he does fo
r a living even now, at age 38, Green commands tremendous respect at
cornerba
ck for the Washington Redskins and, more important, he knows he is good in th
e way that he lives.
ddThat said, there was one thing that nagged at him, one element missing, one a
spect of his life that was incomplete. Green, you
see, never finished college.
He walked out of Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1983 as a f
irst-round NFL draft
pick, a player the Redskins jumped at with the 28th pick.
He also walked out without getting his degree.
ddNo one ever faulted him for it. No one, that is, except Green. So this past S
pring, he enrolled in a special program at Saint Paul's
College in Lawrencevill
e, Va., paid his tuition, attended his classes some in person, some by corres
pondence and accumulated
the final credits he needed to be a college-educated
man. And this past Mother's Day, he walked across the stage in Lawrenceville,
his heart filled with pride when he received a bachelor of science degree.
"When I graduated," Green said this past week, his face breaking into a smile
at the mere memory, "I finally felt confident that
there was nothing missing.
My son didn't have to look anywhere else for an example to follow. That was a V
ery proud time for me."
ddIn an era when professional athletes increasingly dot the police blotter, whe
n parents often fear rather than hope that their
children will emulate a fa
vorite sports figure, Green went back to college for one simple reason: He want
S to be a good role model.
He wants to be able to stand before anyone most im
portantly his own children and be confident that he sets an example of
which
he can be proud.
dd"It was important to me," Green said, "that I can say to my son, 'Be like Dad
dy,' and I don't have to be insecure. He can see that
I love his mom, I love hi
m, I work hard, I try to reach out to the community, and I have my degree. I'm
not perfect. I just want to
know that if my children say they want to be like t
heir daddy, they won't be going wrong."
ddFifteen years passed between the day Green left Texas A&I and the day he rece
ived his diploma. In that time, he played in three
Super Bowls and seven Pro Bo
wls, and established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the game, with a
guaranteed ticket into
the Hall of Fame. He also met and married Jewell, and t
hey had three children, who are 12, 9 and 7 years old.
ddHis life, though, was far from limited to football and family. Green constant
ly says "I don't want to sound prideful," but it is clear
that he is deeply pro
ud of the work done by the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, which he founde
d and funds. The charitable
foundation provides financial, education and social
assistance to inner-city children and their families.
ddOne of the centerpieces of that foundation is the Learning Center, out at the
Franklin Commons Housing Complex in Northeast
D.C. Green wants the center to b
e a model for a series of centers throughout the country. Education, Green alwa
ys tells center visitors,
is a key to the future. They are the same words he ha
S long told his children at home.
ddSo Green's incomplete education bothered him. It's not that he felt like a fr
aud when he stood before groups and preached the value
of schooling. And, in 16
years, no one ever called him on it. No reporter, no teacher, no administrator
, and certainly no child ever
asked him, "So, Mr. Green, where did you get your
diploma?"
ddAnd it's not that he kept it a secret, either. The adults he hired at his fou
ndation adults with masters' degrees and advanced
educations were well awar
e that Green had not finished college, and if they were not, they found out qui
ckly, when Green made
a point of leaving the heavily academic areas of his prog
rams to their guidance and discretion.
ddStill, it bothered him.
dd"It was hard for me," he said, "to tell these kids to finish their educations
when I hadn't finished mine."
ddGreen didn't complete a single class his freshman year at Texas A&I. He didn'
t even enroll in any that first spring. Back then, he
was a homesick kid from H
ouston, so miserable that even his love for football could not overcome his des
ire to return home. His
mother sent him off to college with a $20 bill in case
of an emergency, and it wasn't too far into the fall when a member of the Texas
A&I coaching staff caught him at the local bus depot, preparing to turn the mo
ney over for a one-way ticket home.
ddThe coach took the $20 away from Green, and escorted him to practice. It was
only a temporary fix. When he went home for theholidays that winter, Green didn
't come back. He didn't come back for more than a year he drove a delivery tr
uck instead, attended
some night classes at the local high school, tried to fig
ure out what to do with his life. When he finally went back, when he "grew
up a
nd matured," as he puts it, Green became a football legend at Texas A&I and a d
ecent student. But he was too far behind in his
classes to catch up. And when t
he Redskins came calling after his senior season, he left. He left, but he kept
looking back.
ddGreen tried a few times to return to his schooling, but it never seemed to wo
rk out. Finally, Ernie Turner, who works with the
Redskins' players on educatio
nal opportunities, introduced Green to Billy Hawkins, the vice president of aca
demic affairs at Saint
Paul's. Lawrenceville is nearly three hours from Green's
home in Ashburn, but Hawkins convinced him that they could make the
system wor
k.
ddSo Green went back to school. About once a month, he drove down to campus, an
d the other days he met with advisers in
Northern Virginia and did work through
a correspondence program. In the evenings, his kids watched him struggle to fi
nish all his
assigned reading, and his papers, and the work he had left behind
so long ago. His kids were there, too, on May 10 in Lawrenceville,
when Green p
ut on a cap and gown and received the one missing piece in what has clearly bee
n an exemplary life.
dd"My kids saw me walk across that stage, they saw me at night trying to type m
y papers, they see my wife now she's going to
school, finishing up her degree
, too and I like that," Green said. "I like that we're not afraid to say to o
ur kids, 'Be like us.'"
ART ph,,JOEL RICHARDSON CAPTION: Darrell Green has found happiness in pro foo
tball, but he has found fulfillment by
getting his college diploma.n
Publication#W\
PdP# 79. Chicago 'Publication" #:\ PeP#August 3, 1998
Headline#\
PfP# Feds probe suburb teacher pensions Headline #:\
PgP#
BY MARK SKERTIC
SUBURBAN REPORTER
ddA federal grand jury is looking into the investment practices of the pension
system that covers every suburban public school
teacher.
ddRecords from firms investing money for the Illinois Teachers Retirement Syste
m "used by all Illinois public school teachers
outside Chicago "have been subpo
enaed by federal and state investigators.
ddAt least one source has told authorities that key retirement system managers
were given free private jet trips to Key West, Fla.,
and tickets to the Indiana
polis 500 by firms that wanted to invest the teachers' money.
ddRobert Schau, the system's former real estate analyst, told authorities about
what he believed were questionable investment
decisions, including contracts a
warded without bids and deals made on the basis of personal relationships.
dd``It appeared to me the wrong sort of things were driving decisions," he sai
d.
ddAuthorities declined Sunday to discuss the nature of the investigation or say
how long the probe, which began last year, is
expected to continue. State Poli
ce are assisting the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office, said Mark McDonald, sp
okesman for the
Illinois State Police. "We're conducting interviews, examining
records and evidence," he said.
ddThe State Journal-Register in Springfield has reported that the subpoenas hav
e sought investment firm records but have not
required company officials to app
ear and give testimony.
ddAn Illinois auditor general's report last year criticized the system's invest
ment practices. Lawmakers were upset to learn about a
contract the system had W
ith Chicago-based Zimmerman Investment Management Co., which is headed by Thoma
S Zimmerman,
the retirement system's former $106,000-a-year chief investment of
ficer.
ddThe audit found his firm was paid $5.4 million to make investments that lost
$266 million in less than two years. Robert Daniels,
then the system's executiv
e director, said the system lost only $46 million.
ddDaniels retired in January. When he made the announcement in August, Joseph S
pagnolo, chairman of the retirement board and
state school superintendent, said
it had nothing to do with the auditor's report.
ddSchau, a former real estate analyst, was among those intrigued by the auditor
's findings. Too often, some managers ignored their
fiduciary responsibilities,
he said. "There appeared to me many instances when they were putting their ow
n interests before the
investors'," he said.
ddUnder pressure from Zimmerman, who was chief investment officer and acting ex
ecutive director at the time, Schau said he
resigned in 1992 for a "low five-f
igure" severance payoff. But last spring he wrote to a number of state officia
Is, including lawmakers
and the governor, detailing what he felt were questiona
ble motives by some making retirement fund investment decisions.
dd' I've never asked anybody to take my word," said Schau, now an analyst for
the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
"Go ahead and dig. There's plen
ty of evidence of all this stuff."
ddThe retirement system includes all full-time, part-time and substitute Illino
is public school employees in positions requiring state
certification. In the 1
997 fiscal year, there were 192,219 active and inactive members and 59,352 rece
iving benefits.
ddThe system's investments had a market value of $18.1 billion as of June 30, 1
997.n
INTERNATL#u\ PhP# INTERNATIONAL #:\ PiP#yq 'ddy
INTERNATL #:\ PjP#Publication#W\ PkP# 80. BBC News"Publication" #:\ PIP#Aug
ust 4, 1998
Headline#\ PmP# Bilingual ban takes effect Headline #:\ PnP#
ddSchools in California are coming to terms with the reality of a controversial
new law ending bilingual education.
ddThe law, resulting from voters' approval in a ballot in June of what is known
as Proposition 227, means the state's public schools
must conduct lessons prim
arily in English - whereas in many of them that is not the pupils' first langua
ge.
ddUnder the law, children with limited English can be put in a one-year immersi
on course. After 30 days, parents can get a waiver
to put their child back in b
ilingual education under limited conditions.
ddBilingual education, which had been practised since the 1960s, had allowed th
em to be taught primarily in their first language
and encouraged to pick up Eng
lish gradually.
ddCritics say the new law is the latest attack on immigrants in California.
ddOthers say that bilingual education simply did not work and resulted in Hispa
nics in particular being condemned to "ethnic
ghettos".
dd'They're resilient'
ddAs elsewhere, most California schools are closed for the summer but in the Lo
S Angeles Unified school district the pressure on
accommodation has led to a ye
ar-round staggering of classes and a new term began on Monday for almost 20,000
children. Less than
half are fluent in English.
ddAt Theresa Hughes Elementary School, where the student population is 99% Lati
no, children in an immersion class began the
day learning English through words
and pictures on the walls, role-playing, puppetry and hearing lessons read alo
ud.
dd"Children are very, very resilient," said Victor Chavira, a fourth-grade teac
her at the school.
dd"They will adapt. But how well they adapt remains to be seen. It's a grey are
a."n
Publication#W\
PoP# 81. Daily Texan"Publication" #:\ PpP#August 3, 1998
Headline#\
PqP# Education debates ignore real issuesHeadline #:\ PrP#
By Corey Young
Daily Texan (U. Texas-Austin)
dd(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas Tuesday Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP,
will go before the U.S. Department of
Education to complain about the "bias
component" of Texas standardized testing. He and his organization firmly believ
e that these
tests are easier for white children to take and unfairly stigmatiz
e African Americans. Bledsoe's voluminous evidence for this harsh
accusation wa
S captured in a July 29 USA Today article. He says persuasively, "There is defi
nitely a bias component, although its
difficult to show."
ddAlthough Bledsoe's evidence is staggering, a new study by the research group
Public Agenda makes one wonder where, exactly,
the NAACP is coming from. It see
ms only 28 percent of black parents think standardized tests are "culturally bi
ased against blacks."
What's more, the Public Agenda's research found an issue
in education that white and black parents can actually agree on. It seems
73 pe
rcent of black and 77 percent of white parents think their kid's education is t
00 often sacrificed for the sake of racial diversity.
Only 9 percent of blacks
want schools to focus more on diversity. It looks like Bledsoe and the Texas NA
ACP need to do a little more
grass- roots research before marching up to Washin
gton D.C.
ddThe Public Agenda study does more than weaken the position of the NAACP on th
e issue of standardized tests. It reveals a
disturbing trend in the debate over
race and education. The loudest people in this long and painful fight are star
ting to lose contact
with the people they are trying to help and supposedly rep
resent. Countless talk shows and protests present angry and
uncompromising voic
es from both ends of the political spectrum. Jesse Jackson wants to make UT Law
School professor Lino
Graglia a "social pariah." Many conservatives dismiss af
firmative action as pointless educational welfare. What gets lost in the flood
of arguments and attacks are the actual children being argued over. The needs a
nd desires of the students and their parents should
always be held as the start
ing point for discussion of educational concerns.
ddThe Public Agenda research reveals that only a small minority of parents care
about the supposedly insidious plots of standardized
test makers. Most parents
, black and white, just want their children to have the best quality education
possible. And for them, that
does not mean "diversity" or an attack on the TAAS
test. So why is no one listening to their requests? Apparently leaders like BI
edsoe
think they understand the problem better than parents. The educational, a
dministrative, and political elites have turned a deaf ear to
those whom they
represent." And let's admit it, standardized testing conspiracies and multicult
ural sermons are sexier than the
drudgery of actually fixing a flawed education
system. Taking the politics out of education and focusing on the difficult tas
k of real
reform would be a big step for many of the people debating public sch
ool reform and affirmative action.ddAs to where Bledsoe and the NAACP are comin
g from, history clears a few things up. In 1909, when W.E.B. DuBois founded
the
NAACP, his aim was to harness the power of the most influential African Americ
ans in order to effectively protest. The history
of the NAACP is highlighted by
its involvement in the legal system, with prominent lawyers winning important
cases and forcing
the desegregation of schools across America. This, of course,
is to be applauded. The problem is, the NAACP has been elitist from
its beginn
ings. Du Bois called for the "talented tenth" of African Americans to rise up.
But what about the rest? In its beginning, the
NAACP neglected the many poor so
uthern sharecroppers and factory workers who knew nothing of the "talented tent
h" " some
things never change. Today the parents of black school children must
bide their time as the NAACP and others fight a battle that,
if won, will not
help them " or any one else, for that matter.
ddYoung is philosophy senior.n
Publication#W\
PsP# 82. Christian Science Monitor 'Publication" #:\
PtP#August
4, 1998
Headline#\
PuP# Getting Beyond Cramming for Exams Headline #:\
PvP#
Evangeline Wheeler
ddTOWSON, MD. " One afternoon last semester as I prepared to leave my office,
I went through the ritual: with one hand I
switched off the computer on my desk
while with the other I picked up the telephone receiver to check my voice mail
one last time.
I was only mildly surprised to hear two new messages from frant
ic students.
dd"Can I please take the make-up exam tomorrow?" asked a senior in my cognitive
psychology class. "Dr. Wheeler, I lost my study
guide!" exclaimed a sophomore
in statistics.
ddl decided to return their calls later in the evening. I had already stuffed m
y bag with the books and papers I would need for
working at home after dinner.
ddlt was late and I was tired after a long day explaining the concept of sampli
ng distributions to my restless statistics classes. Their
questions were still
reverberating in my head.
dd"Does the size of the sample really matter?" "Are all sampling distributions
the same?" "Will this be on the exam?"
ddlt was this last question that upset me. I saw it as a loaded question becaus
e I knew that behind it lay the fact that my students
hadn't been keeping up wi
th their regular studying. They were going to cram for the final exam.
ddEnd of semester. Everyone was looking forward to summer internships, beach jo
bs, or as some students say, "just chillin." My
students were so anxious and di
stracted during lectures, when a few weeks ago they were animated by interest.
ddThe refrain, "Is this going to be on the exam?" rattled me as a college teach
er, just as cries of, "Are we there, yet?" assault the
sensibilities of patient
parents on long car trips with bored children.
ddl do well remember my student days. I commiserate with their end-of-semester
panic by sharing with them my own experiences
as a college student stressed out
about grades.
ddWho could forget those all-nighters spent writing a term paper or completing
a lab assignment? Although I counsel my students
about the wastefulness of proc
rastinating on their assignments, I also share with them that I did the same th
ing more than once when
I was a student.
ddI am always conflicted at this point. Cramming sometimes works, I did it; yet
I tell my students not to. During an office visit one
student plopped down in
a chair and sighed, "I stayed awake all night to study for your exam!" It worke
d for her; she earned a solid
B+, a significant improvement over the C- she mad
e on the previous exam. I was satisfied that she improved her grade, but I was
disturbed by the cramming.
ddAll the research on memory shows that continued study over time (called "dist
ributed practice" in the academic literature) leads
to more learning than cramm
ing ("massed practice").
ddWith each cycle of
beginning-of-semester-excitement,
midterm doldrums, and end-of-semester panic, I face a personal challenge to he
lp my students succeed.
ddWhen former students rush into my office needing advice on statistics problem
S assigned to them by their current professors, or
others oversleep and stumble
late to class; when they ask, "Will this be on the exam?", I tell them gently
to calm down and to focus.
I remind them that with careful organization and reg
ular study they will survive the panic. Then I reach over to my stack of journa
I
articles and hand them a copy of the scientific study so they can check out t
he research themselves.
dd* Evangeline Wheeler is an assistant professor of psychology at Towson Univer
sity in Towson, Md.n
Publication#W\ PwP# 83. Los Angeles Times' Publication" #:\ PxP#* 08/04/98; Ed
ition: Home Edition; Section: Metro; Letters Desk; Page B-6
Headline#\
PyP# Lengthening Class TimeHeadline #:\
PzP#
ddAdrienne Mack wrote an essay about 55 minutes being too restrictive for learn
ing (Commentary, July 23). She is right.
ddHowever, she has missed an opportunity that cannot be overlooked. Learning ov
er longer periods cannot be limited to language
arts. We must look deeper into
the real workings of our schools and make radical changes so test scores will g
o up dramatically. The
start and finish times for our schools are based on the
agrarian economy of our past. Those times required children to work in the
earl
y morning and late afternoon to help slop the pigs, harvest eggs and milk the c
ows. They were needed to clean barns and help
cook.
ddIn today's world those needs are no longer in demand. Thus our children are a
vailable to go to school from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
just as they might do when
they go into the workplace.
ddThe resultant benefits are huge. We could change the length of classes based
on the intricacies of the course material. Math should
be taught for two hours
while teaching penmanship for half an hour is sufficient. History for one hour
and science for 1 1/2. These
are arbitrary times but the idea is should be clea
r.
ddAlong with additional hours of instruction, we need to measure teachers for q
ualification and pay, based on student test results,
not on tenure, how many pa
pers they write or how many extra courses they take.
ddJUDD WENNER
ddLos Angelesn
Publication#W\
P{P# 84. The Wall Street Journal' 'Publication" #:\ P|P# 08/04/9
8
Headline#\
P}P# ESAs Don't Divert Public School FundsHeadline #:\ P}P#
In her July 9 editorial-page commentary "The Next Big Free-Market Thing," Amit
y Shlaes describes my proposed education savings
accounts (ESAs) as "federal vo
uchers." Although I appreciate her attention to this meaningful debate, her des
cription of the
legislation could not be more inaccurate. While I support vouch
ers, Education Savings Accounts are not vouchers. They simply allow
parents, gr
andparents or any scholarship sponsor to save up to $2,000 per year, per child
in after-tax dollars. The buildup of interest
within the account is tax free if
used for the child's educational expenses, such as home computers, tutoring fo
r children with special
needs, uniforms, transportation, SAT prep courses, or t
uition for a private or religious school.
ddVouchers allow a transfer of federal funds; ESAs use private after-tax dollar
s, not government money, to help parents give their
kids the best education pos
sible. The accounts divert no federal funds from public schools and, in fact, W
ould pour billions of new
dollars into American public education. ESAs, most im
portantly, give parents not the federal government" the power to make
decisi
ons for their children.
ddSen. Paul D. Coverdell (R., Ga.)
ddWashingtonn
Publication#W\
P}P# 85. Boston Herald"Publication" #:\ P}P# 08/03/98; Edition
: Al; Section: EDITORIAL; Page 026
Headline#\
P}P# Principals can help ed successHeadline #:\
P}P#
Regarding "Mass. colleges faulted for low teacher scores" (July 24):
ddWe have the means for removing incompetent teachers: principals. Let them eva
luate competency based on first-hand knowledge
of teaching ability. Hold them a
ccountable for student performance. Reject any big-government proposal to have
anonymous
test-making bureaucrats fire anyone who can't define a preposition.
ddBut if we must test, don't use the Massachusetts test. Suppose that a doctor,
after examining you with a newly invented instrument,
said: "You need open-hea
rt surgery. Tomorrow." Would you go ahead without proof that this instrument wo
rks? Well, none has been
offered about the teacher test. I think this test is f
aulty because I know highly literate students who "failed" it. Clarke Fowler,
P
rofessor of Education Salem State College Salem
ddMoakley has rep as preservationist
ddI read with great interest David Eisen's article, "Bridge too far" (July 23).
I was, however, appalled by Eisen's statement that
"preservationists and harbo
r activists are on one side, and the city and U.S. Rep Joe Moakley are on the o
ther."
ddMy preservationist credentials speak for themselves. I have secured over $50
million for many sites in Boston. My Harbor Island
credentials also speak for t
hemselves. During my years in the state Senate, in the 1960s, I filed and won p
assage of one of the first
pieces of anti-ocean dumping legislation. During the
same period I fought for and won passage of legislation to bring the BostonHar
bor Islands under the jurisdiction of the commonwealth of Massachusetts so that
the islands would not be ruined by development.
ddDuring the last Congress, I, along with Congressman Gerry Studds, filed and W
on passage of federal legislation creating the
Boston Harbor Islands National P
ark, bringing federal money into the island system and to make the Harbor Isla
nds more accessible
to the public. Additionally, to date, the Massachusetts del
egation has secured over $600 million for the clean up of Boston Harbor.
ddThe debate over the fate of the Old Northern Avenue Bridge is not a battle fo
r historic preservation, it is a debate over public
safety. According to the c
ity's Public Facilities Department, the estimated cost of making the bridge saf
e for pedestrian traffic, and
in compliance with Coast Guard regulations, would
be approximately $15 million, and, as such, would not be feasible.
ddWithout demonstrated interest of any public or private concern to shoulder th
e heavy burden of repair, maintenance and
preservation of the structure, the so
lution is clear. Public safety dictates the bridge should be taken down. John J
oseph Moakley, U.S.
Representative 9th District
ddStamp poll shows Korea's forgotten
ddThe U.S. Post Office recently concluded a poll asking the public to determine
the most important event of the 1950s, in order to
determine the events to be
put on new stamp designs. Fifteen events were listed as top vote-getters. The
first was the drive-in movie;
the second, television's "I Love Lucy."
ddNumber 15 was the Korean War. This Korean "police action" resulted in over 50
,000 killed and missing Americans. Number 15?
This is truly the "forgotten war.
" Andrew J. Pullo, Member Korean War Veterans Assoc. Boston
ddGM, not Vaughn, causes Sox trouble
ddI agree with Joe Fitzgerald ("`Mr. Nobody' gives up, and the Red Sox lose,"
July 24). Fans should recall this trouble started with
the arrival of Dan Duqu
ette. You can't blame Mo Vaughn. He had his private life and should be left alo
ne when not in uniform. Get
rid of Duquette and get back to baseball. Ed Fitzhe
nry, Dedham
ddGun license helped Capitol slay suspect
ddSupporters of gun ownership have been quick to point out that, in regard to t
he recent tragic Capitol shooting, the gun laws in
Washington, D.C., were ineff
ective. They forget that the suspect didn't purchase the gun illegally and was
n't a criminal until he
entered the Capitol and snapped.
ddGun bans had nothing to do with this incident, since the weapon was indeed p
urchased by a "law-abiding gun owner." This type
of Second Amendment flag-wavin
g makes the rest of us "law-abiding" non- gun owning citizens sick. Robert Murp
hy, Peabodyn
Publication#W\
P}P# 86. Worcester Telegram & Gazette "Publication" #:\
P}P# 08
/02/98; Edition: ALL; Section: INSIGHT; Page C1
Headline#\ P}P# Are education schools lost among trends?Headline #:\ P}P#
By JOHN LEO
A reader sent in a list of teacher education courses at the University of Mass
achusetts at Amherst, along with a note: "This explains
why 59 percent of prosp
ective teachers in Massachusetts flunked a basic literacy test."
ddThe courses listed were: "Leadership in Changing Times," "Social Diversity" (
four different sections), "Embracing Diversity,"
"Diversity and Change," "Oppre
ssion and Education," "Intro to Multicultural Education," "Black Identity," "CI
assism," "Racism,"
"Sexism," "Jewish Oppression," "Lesbian||Gay||Bisexual Oppre
ssion," "Oppression of the Disabled," and (get this one) "Erroneous
Beliefs."
ddThe reader was referring to a basic 10th-grade test in language, math and ot
her subjects, given to 1,800 would-be teachers in
Massachusetts.
ddAmong other things, the 59 percent who failed often couldn't spell simple Eng
lish words such as "burned" and "abolished."
ddApparently they went into ed school without knowing much about anything, then
came out the same way. But at least they are
prepared to drill children in sep
aratism, oppression and erroneous beliefs.
ddOur schools of education have been a national scandal for many years, but it'
S odd that they are rarely front-and-center in our
endless debate about failing
schools.
STANDARDS VS. ESTEEM
ddThe right talks about striving and standards, the left talks about equal fund
ing and classroom size, but few talk much about the
breeding grounds for school
failure - the trendy, anti-achievement, oppression-obsessed, feel-good, esteem
-ridden, content-free
schools of education.
ddFor an article in City Journal, writer||reporter Heather MacDonald recently V
isited New York's City College, to see how a modern
education school manages to
fill its class time without making the dread professional mistake of having an
y actual content or clear
purpose.
ddShe found the teacher talking about "building a community, rich of talk" and
how ed-school students should "develop the subtext
of what they're doing."
ddEach student wrote for seven minutes on "What excites me about teaching," "Wh
at concerns me about teaching" and "What was
it like to do this writing."
ddAfter the writings were read aloud, the teacher said, "So writing gave you pe
rmission to think on paper about what's there."
ddThen the students split into small groups and talked about their feelings.
dd"It shifted the comfort zone," said one student, already fluent in ed-speak.
Another said: "I felt really comfortable. I had trust
there. 'dd"Let's talk abou
t that," said the teacher. "We are building trust in this class."
ddBut what they were not doing was talking about anything in the real world, or
about how to teach real lessons to real children.
ddThe credo for education schools, MacDonald says, is "Anything but Knowledge."
dd"Once you dismiss real knowledge as the goal of education," she writes about
the make-work silliness in education classes, "you
have to find something else
to do."
ddThe education schools take for granted that education must be "child-centered
which means that children decide for themselves
what they want to learn.
ddHeavy emphasis is put on feelings and the self.
ddAn actual curriculum, listing things students ought to know, is viewed as cra
mping the human spirit.
ddEd-school students are taught to be suspicious of authority and the notion th
at teachers might be expected to know more than the
children they teach, so the
word "teacher" is in decline.
ddThe fad word is now "facilitator," part guide and part bystander watching the
self-educating child.
ddThe traditional ed-school hostility to achievement currently hides behind the
word "equity" - bright students must be tamped down
so slower learners will no
t feel bad about themselves.
ddSmuggled in along with equality is the notion that performance and learning S
houldn't really count they elevate some children
at the expense of others. Gr
ades and marks are bad, too, because they characterize and divide children.
ddThe result is that the brighter students get little help and are often the ta
rget of teacher resentment.
ddRita Kramer wrote in her 1991 study of education schools, "Ed School Follies"
: "What happens to those more capable or
motivated students is hardly anyone's
concern."
BEST STUDENTS IGNORED
ddThis lack of concern for achievement now has a racial cast. Asian and white c
hildren are often depicted as somehow out of step
if they work harder and achie
ve more than blacks, Hispanics and other minorities.
ddInstead of working hard with children to reduce the racial gap, school of edu
cation theory calls for strategies to conceal it under
group projects or simply
to demonstrate that achievement doesn't matter.
ddVarious experiments are under way to let bright college graduates bypass educ
ation schools.
ddConnecticut has a program allowing professionals in other fields to switch in
to teaching from other careers simply by taking an
eight-week summer course and
a test.
ddIn New York, the Teach for America program produced a sudden infusion of very
good teachers into public schools, also by
bypassing the ed-school swamp.
ddBut the hidebound education industry is digging in to close these loopholes a
nd protect its closed-shop monopoly.
ddlt makes no sense to force teachers through schools as bad as these.
ddPeople should be able to qualify as teachers simply by passing rigorous tests
in their area of competence. Scrapping the school
of education requirement is
clearly the way to go.
John Leo is a syndicated columnist.
n
Publication#W\
P}P# 87. Harrisburg Patriot-News "Publication" #:\
P}P# 08/0
2/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page B14
Headline#\
P}P# Other needs supersede 4-year universityHeadline #:\
P}P#
Pennsylvania needs another institution of higher education like it needs anoth
er law school. Your assertion (Editorial, July 22) that
in higher education `mo
re is better' is ludicrous.
ddDid you ever hear of saturation levels? If memory serves me correctly, Pennsy
Ivania already has more four-year institutions of
higher education than any oth
er state.
ddYour argument on behalf of a Harrisburg University implies that the universit
y-saturated areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
aren't capable of producing th
e computer engineers and high-tech personnel needed in Dauphin County. Or do yo
u feel the
post-graduate relocation of such individuals to central Pennsylvania
would be an inhumane hardship?
ddYour allegation about the turf consciousness of the existing order of higher
education and the damaging effect it has on the
economic and social potential o
f Dauphin County sounds like a George Costanza outburst. But the humor really e
merges when you
contrast the higher education disparity between Harrisburg and
Boston.
ddIn the words of our first lady: `give me a break.` Maybe the commonwealth cou
Id purchase Harvard U. and relocate it to Dauphin
County. The cost of such an e
ndeavor should be no greater than what it costs to build a sports palace in Phi
ladelphia or Pittsburgh.
ddHealth care, day care and mass transit are where the money is needed. We have
a sufficient supply of sports emporiums and
institutions of higher learning.
" Barry Ochs Shippensburgn
Publication#W\
P}P# 88. Greensboro News & Record"Publication" #:\ P}P# 08/02/
98; Edition: ALL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page F3
Headline#\ P}P# SCHOOL YEAR'S FIRST CHALLENGEHeadline #:\ P}P#Subhead#[\ P}P
# GETTING AND KEEPING GOOD TEACHERS ATTRITION HAS BEEN
HEAVIEST AT "LOW-PERFOR
MING" SCHOOLS, BUT THE
ATTRITION STARTED BEFORE THE DESIGNATION.
Subhead#:\
P}P# By Philip J. Kirk
A new school year is beginning, and some 10,000 new teachers are starting wor
k in classrooms across this state. Another 70,000
teachers are returning to the
ir classrooms for another year. But, in some schools, administrators are strugg
ling to find teachers to staff
every classroom.
ddThe teachers who are starting work had to meet more rigorous standards to ent
er the profession, they are receiving better
orientation to their new jobs and
they will earn more money during their careers.
ddThey also will receive assistance from trained, paid mentors. But, many of th
ese teachers will leave the profession after a few years
for jobs that are less
frustrating and more lucrative.
ddThe challenge for education administrators is to recruit and retain competent
, effective and caring teachers.
ddRural areas traditionally have more of a challenge, but large urban systems,
which pay attractive supplements, also are
experiencing problems in retaining t
eachers and filling vacancies.
ddThe State Board of Education is particularly concerned about the large number
of teachers who are leaving schools that need
experienced teachers - mostly "I
ow-performing" schools.
ddAn analysis of teacher turnover in schools designated low- performing in 1997
showed that teacher turnover in those schools was
three times higher than in o
ther schools statewide.
ddSome might question if the designation of the school as low- performing resul
ted in the higher turnover rate; it is important to
note that this was the rate
before the announcement of school status under the ABCs.
ddIn some of the low-performing schools, the turnover rate was 50 percent in on
e year.
ddJust imagine a work situation of 30 co-workers where 15 of them leave in one
year.
ddBesides the extra work of administrators who have to search to replace staff,
there's the emotional upheaval for students, as well
as learning time lost dur
ing the transition.
ddThe higher turnover in these schools during the instructional year is especia
Ily disturbing.
ddlt is likely to mean that students have been taught by substitute teachers wh
ile certified teachers were recruited and hired.
ddAn added difficulty is that the first semester of the year is typically the m
ost difficult time of all to recruit and employ well-
prepared, talented teache
rs because teachers who graduated the year before already have jobs.
ddThis may result in our least experienced teachers or substitute teachers teac
hing students with perhaps the greatest needs at a
critical time during the sch
ool year.
ddStudents taught by a succession of teachers are simply not going to learn as
much as other students.
ddTeachers leaving low-performing and other schools is not just a North Carolin
a problem.
ddSchool systems in the United States will need to hire some 2 million teachers
in the next decade, according to U.S. Department
of Education estimates. In
North Carolina, we'll need an estimated 72,000 new teachers in the next seven y
ears.
ddWe want these teachers to know how to teach so students will want to learn an
d to know their subject matter.
ddThe more our teachers know, the more our students can learn.
ddWe also want these teachers to be committed to continually learning more and
improving their teaching style.
ddGov. Jim Hunt has lead the national effort to study teacher quality.
ddAs chairman of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, the
governor was instrumental in the development
of two national teacher quality re
ports that outlined steps to be taken to improve teacher quality and quality te
aching.
ddThe governor also initiated North Carolina's bold Excellent Schools Act in 19
97. This act enjoys bipartisan support from the
Legislature because it is focus
ed on increasing standards for teachers and students while compensating teacher
S for meeting higher
standards.
ddSeveral of the components of the Excellent Schools Act will make a difference
in our attempts to keep teachers from leaving the
profession, including the lo
w-performing schools.
ddThe Excellent Schools Act will move North Carolina's teachers to the national
average in teacher pay in the next three years
through across-the-board raises
and additional pay for advanced certification and degrees and for additional r
esponsibility and work.
ddWhile that will help, a Public School Forum study found that more than 40 per
cent of teachers leave their classrooms before they
complete their fifth year b
ecause of a lack of discipline in the classroom and a lack of support from admi
nistrators, school boards,
and parents, in addition to low pay.
ddParents and citizens have a role to play.
ddWhen asked what would help retain high quality teachers, local school adminis
trators cite parent involvement and community
support and respect for teaching
as key factors.
ddRestoring respect for the teaching profession is one of my personal goals as
chairman of the State Board of Education.
ddAs a new school year begins, I encourage you to call your local school, ask W
hat you can do and then follow through on yourcommitment.
ddOur teachers have a very important job.
ddThey deserve higher pay, better working conditions and the support of the ent
ire community.
ddThat's where you can help in recruiting and retaining excellent teachers in a
Il schools in North Carolina.n
Publication#W\ P#89. The Washington imes"Publication"#:\ P} P# 08/03/98;
Edition: 2; Section: A;COMMENTARY;EDITORIALS;LETTERS; Page A16
Headline#\
P#Keeping science education on the cutting edgeHeadline#:\ P}P
#
As president of the world's largest scientific society - the American Chemica
1 Society, which represents more than 155,000 chemists
and chemical engineers -
I read "Science aversion looms as serious threat to U.S. economy" (June 19) wi
th initial interest, but
growing concern. This article contains many errors of
fact, implication and omission, thereby putting your readers at a distinct
info
rmational disadvantage. They should know the facts:
ddScientists did set the nation's science education standards. Your article sta
tes that the National Science Education Standards were
written by groups "made
up primarily of educators, not scientists." In fact, they were developed under
the aegis of the National
Academy of Science, whose elected membership constitu
tes the most prestigious scientists, and included members of our society
and ma
ny other learned organizations.
ddWhat's more, scientists participated fully in every stage of the development
of these standards. Science educators were also
involved to ensure the success
of these new standards in the classroom, as well as industrialists, who eventua
Ily employ the products
of our educational system.
ddProviding access to science for all students does not mean dumbing down the c
urriculum. Your article implies that wider access
means watering down the curri
culum, but ignores several facts:
ddFirst, as we approach the millennium, science is a basic subject that needs t
o be taught in a fashion that makes it accessible to all
students. Second, the
standards help all students to think more, rather than less, by emphasizing und
erstanding and applying science
knowledge rather than just memorizing science f
acts. They demand that students think in a scientific fashion and engage in the
kind
of inquiry that engages the working scientist - not an easier task, but a
harder one. Finally, this approach not only shows students
the real excitement
and challenges of doing science, but also helps retain students' interest in S
cience. We cannot teach science to
students who have opted out of the pipeline,
nor can we build jobs and keep our research enterprise vital without training
as many
bright young minds as we can reach while they are still in school.
ddThe standards are moving us closer to the performance level other nations enj
oy in science education. In the article, you briefly
mention the results of the
most recent report from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study
(TIMSS). While it is true
that, in general science literacy and physics, our gr
aduating students did very poorly compared with those of the other countries
pa
rticipating in the study, your article failed to mention that our students in t
he third grade did much better than the world average,
and in the eighth grade
were about at the world average.
ddMany involved with TIMSS are trying to explain why U.S. children perform wors
e on these measures the longer they are in
school, relative to other countries.
Here is one explanation: When comparing science curriculum content around the
world, you can
see that our students, especially as they get older, are exposed
to a curriculum that has been described as "a mile wide and an inch
deep." The
standards, with an emphasis on fewer concepts taught in greater depth, helps t
o address this issue and moves closer to
those nations that outperformed us on
TIMSS.
ddFinally, the article implies that notion that only bad-tasting medicine is go
od for you. I became a chemist because I enjoyed
chemistry in school; to me, it
was fun to learn chemistry. I would not have become a chemist if the subject W
ere dull, irrelevant and
incomprehensible. As a college professor for much of m
y professional life, I can tell you that nothing is more rewarding or fun - for
both teacher and student - than the moment when both realize that learning has
taken place. That's what the standards are attempting
to do: Make sure that mo
re students in more classrooms learn more science than they do now.
ddPAUL H.L. WALTER
ddPresident
ddAmerican Chemical Society
ddWashingtonn
Publication#W\
P}P# 90. Raleigh News & Observer "Publication" #:\ 08/03/
98; Edition: Final; Section: Editorial/Opinion; Page A10
Headline#\
P}P# Student courts must be free to punish campus crimeHeadline #:\
P}P#
Your July 29 editorial "Crime under wraps" argued that records of student jud
icial matters should be open to the public. The
editorial ended by stating that
cases of a "criminal" nature should not be heard by "campus courts" at all.
ddlf your suggested policy were followed, universities would be unable to sanct
ion students who engage in underage drinking,
vandalism, fighting, hazing, thef
t of community members' property or breaking into another person's computer rec
ords. Such a policy
would greatly impede the role of universities in educating
students about their civic responsibilities and essentially would not allow
a u
niversity community to set standards that are higher than those of society at I
arge.
ddAs students at UNC-Chapel Hill, we find that being part of a safe, honest uni
versity community is vital to our education. The
community has the responsibili
ty to set high expectations for its members, one of which should certainly be t
o uphold North Carolina
laws. When a fellow student chooses to break the trust
established within our community, as student judicial leaders we take action
to
ensure that integrity is maintained, in addition to whatever action criminal c
ourts may choose to take.
ddFurthermore, when the public learns that a student has broken the law, not on
ly do other members of the university community
look to the university to take
action, but the public does as well. We encourage The N&O to consider the ramif
ications of your
suggestion, not only for universities but also for the communi
ties surrounding them.
ddSabrina K. Presnell
ddStudent Attorney General
ddGerald C. Andrady
ddUndergraduate Honor Court Chair
ddUNC-Chapel Hill
ddChapel Hilln
Publication#W\
P}P# 91. The Sacramento Bee"Publication" #:\
08/03/98; Ed
ition: METRO FINAL; Section: EDITORIALS; Page B7
Headline#\
P}P# 'LOOPING' KEEPS KIDS, TEACHERS TOGETHER
FOR MORE THAN 1 YEARHe
adline #:\
P}P#
By Michele Fuetsch
Educators across the country are hailing a teaching strategy as old as the on
e-room schoolhouse but as fast-spreading as a new
Disney video.
ddCalled looping, or multiyear assignments, the strategy keeps a teacher with t
he same group of children for more than one academic
year. Some educators say t
he idea is the most effective, profound innovation to enter American schools in
decades.
ddUnlike smaller classes or all-day kindergarten, which require sizable financi
al investments, looping is an educational reform that
"doesn't cost a penny," S
ays Ted Thibodeau, superintendent of public schools in Attleboro, Mass., where
all first- to eighth-graders
are in a looping program that has them spend two y
ears at a time with teachers. The program is seven years old.
ddEducators who are trying looping credit it with reducing discipline problems
and the number of students held back in a grade while
improving test scores, th
e emotional health of students, the involvement of parents and the academic per
formance of students. In
Attleboro, school officials say that over two years, 1
ooping increased the daily attendance rate from 92 percent to 97 percent, while
decreasing the number of students held back by 43 percent and referrals to spe
cial education by 55 percent.
ddLooping, the superintendent says, has earned Attleboro consistently higher SC
ores on state proficiency tests than other districts
with comparable family inc
omes and parental education levels.
ddThose familiar with looping say the secret of success is simple: When a teach
er stays with the same youngsters for two years, they
say, about six weeks of i
nstruction time gets added to a two-year academic cycle. No time is lost at the
start of the second year, they
say, when a new teacher would have to spend tim
e getting to know the names, personalities, strengths and weaknesses of the stu
dents
and their families. There is no need for a teacher to assess what the stu
dents learned in the previous year, because the teacher knows
and can immediate
ly begin to individualize instruction.
ddTeachers at Glendale Elementary School in Bedford, Ohio, say having the same
children for two years increases their performance.
ddKarla Robinson says a looping teacher has a hard time blaming anyone else if
a child fails to do well after two years.
dd"You have to be sure you've done everything you can to help him," Robinson sa
ys.
dd"It's intense," says 20-year teacher Lynn Beveridge. "I find myself working h
arder at this."
ddBedford school officials say that when they evaluated their 3-year-old loopin
g program, they discovered something other educators
have noticed: that parents
overwhelmingly support looping and the teachers.
d"Parents thought it was tremendous, the bond that was established between the
parents and the teacher and the child," said Linda
A. O'Neill, the district's
elementary curriculum supervisor.ddStudents whose young lives have been scarred
by poverty or family collapse are the youngsters many educators believe could
benefit most from looping.
dd"The comfort level with the teacher is so important for some kids," says Delo
res Vehar, principal at Oxford Elementary School
in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, "e
specially if a child has been moved around from one place to another."
ddLooping began at Oxford last year with selected classes in which teachers ask
ed to continue on with their classes, Vehar said.
ddAttleboro's Thibodeau agrees that the academic success of looping lies in mor
e than extra instruction time. "We think it's about
relationships more than any
thing else," he says, pointing out, for example, that people don't want to go t
o a new doctor every year.
dd"Significant relationships are where it's at," said James Grant, the New Hamp
shire educator who popularized the term "looping."
"Parents like it," said Gran
t, founder and executive director of the Society for Developmental Education,' "
because they want to have
a predictable adult in their children's lives for mor
e than 36 weeks."
ddIndeed, the Journal of the American Medical Association last fall published t
he findings of a longitudinal study on adolescent
health that found the first I
ine of defense against such self-destructive behavior as drugs, alcohol and ear
ly sex was a youth's love
for his or her parents. The second line of defense wa
S a strong attachment to a teacher.
ddGrant acknowledges two pitfalls in looping: personality clashes between a stu
dent and a teacher so that both dread a second year
together, and the tendency
of administrators to overload looping classes with children who have special ne
eds.
ddOne school in Ohio's Mayfield School District dropped its first- and second-g
rade looping program, in part because some teachers
and parents reported doubts
about having the same behavior problems and personality clashes carried over f
rom year to year, said
school board President Janice Marquardt.
ddRobert Lincoln, principal of Tolland Middle School in Tolland, Conn., where S
eventh- and eighth-graders loop with a team of
four teachers, says he solves pe
rsonality clashes by moving the student to another class the second year.
ddIn the first year of his school's 3-year-old program, Lincoln said, 12 of abo
ut 200 students asked to be moved, while only four
asked this year. Lincoln att
ributes the drop in part to the growing cooperation he says looping produces be
tween parents and teachers.
"There's an increased commitment both ways, and that's a very potent factor h
ere," Lincoln said, explaining that it's hard for
students to elude responsibil
ity when the authority figures in their lives are united.
ddLincoln said looping is a hot topic today in middle school circles as educato
rs and others seek ways to connect youths more
securely in relationships with a
dults.
ddThe academic benefits are high too, Lincoln said, pointing out that his first
eighth-graders to complete a two-year cycle with the
same team of teachers sco
red higher on state proficiency tests than any other Tolland eighth-graders had
ever scored before.
Michele Fuetsch is a reporter with the Plain Dealer, in Cleveland. Distributed
by Newhouse News Service.n
Publication#W
P}P# 92. Investors Business Daily"Publication" #:\ P}P#August
4, 1998
Headline#\
P}P# Education Reform In Black And White Headline #:\
P} P#
Americans spend a lot of time debating race issues. But a new poll from Public
Agenda shows that black parents and white parents
are united on education refor
m. Both groups want public schools to raise their standards and demand the best
from kids.
ddNew York-based polling firm Public Agenda asked 800 black parents and 800 whi
te parents about their views on public schools.
Here are some of the results:
ddGood schools must focus on the basics.
ddMore than nine of 10 black and white parents agree it is absolutely essential
that schools "make sure students master the basics
such as reading, writing a
nd arithmetic."
ddKids must learn and be challenged.
ddMore than eight in 10 black and white parents say it is absolutely essential
that schools "promote kids to the next grade only after
they show they have le
arned what they were supposed to."
ddHaving a choice matters.
ddFully 61% of white parents say they chose their neighborhood based on the qua
lity of its schools. This is de facto school choice
- an option that many lower
-income and minority parents don't have.
ddWhile Democrats oppose any school choice or education reform efforts, black p
arents grow impatient. Fully 60% of black parents
say they would switch their k
ids from public to private schools if money weren't an issue. Such Public Agend
a findings jibe with
the other polls we've seen.
ddLearning begins at home.
ddParents are critical of the schools, but they also think a strong family play
S a bigger part in success than any school can.
ddAlmost two of three black parents think a student from a stable and supportiv
e family who goes to a poor school is more likely
to succeed than a kid from a
troubled family who attends a good school. More than three of four whites paren
ts agree.
ddIn short, what parents want -regardless of race - is higher standards.
ddMore than half of black parents agreed with the statement that when black kid
S aren't doing well in school, "It's a crisis, and must
be addressed quickly.'
, Another 28% think it is a "serious problem."
ddThese views are creating pressure.
dd"Although advocates of voucher programs sometimes point to the power of the
free market and need for competition as persuasive
arguments, this study sugges
ts that most parents come to the issue from a different perspective," write th
e Public Agenda authors. "They are frustrated with public schools, want results
and are desperate to give their children the best possible chance."
dd"We've spent a lot of time on the race issues, and we need to redirect some
of those energies to getting our children a better
education," said one black
parent from Pennsylvania.
ddEven though parents decry the state of schools, their dissatisfaction contain
S some good news. As the interest of parents grows,
the system will be forced t
o change.
ddSchools must be more competitive, responsive, accountable and free to seek to
ugh curricula to challenge students and demand
the best from them.
ddTeacher unions and educators must be part of this solution. Their low expecta
tions of students has hurt all kids.
ddTo better educate our children, schools must change. Parents of all colors sh
ould demand it.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 93. New York 'Publication" #:\
P}P#August 1, 1998
Headline#\
P}P# Keeping the Census FairHeadline #:\
P}P#
ddIn 1990, for the first time in decades, the Bureau of the Census produced a c
ount that was less accurate than the one that preceded
it. Under Congressional
direction, the agency consulted the National Academy of Sciences and came up W
ith a new, more
statistically sophisticated procedure. But Republican leaders
have declared war on the plan. In effect, they are fighting for a census
in wh
ich some Americans count for more than others.
ddChanges in American life style, in which families double up, children shuttle
among relatives and adults move into and out of
relationships make the populat
ion increasingly hard to pin down. The Census Bureau estimates it missed about
8.4 million people
in 1990, most of them residents of rental housing. About 4
.4. million others many of them college students and people who owned
two home
S were counted twice. The results were disturbingly skewed along racial and et
hnic lines. One in 10 black males were
missed by the census, and 1 in 20 Hispa
nics. About half the Americans who never got counted were children.
ddTo keep the same thing from happening in the year 2000 census, officials deci
ded to use statistical sampling techniques to check
the accuracy of the count.
Field workers will be dispatched to 750,000 randomly selected houses to perfor
m a second minicensus.
The two results will be compared, and the bureau will t
ry to reconcile the differences.
ddSampling techniques are the state of the art in statistics, but Republicans c
ontend that they violate the constitutional mandate for
actual enumeration of
the population. The party actually fears that since poor and minority American
S tend to be Democrats,
correcting the census will help the opposition.
ddThe Republicans are attempting to starve the Census Bureau into submission.
The proposed
appropriations bill for the Commerce Department contains funding for census pr
eparations for only the next six months. If the bill
becomes law, next March P
resident Clinton will have a choice of accepting the Republicans demands for a
less accurate count or
allowing preparations for the census to come to a halt.
ddThe President may feel obliged to veto a budget bill that endorses such an un
fair procedure. To avoid that, the House should adopt
a Democratic amendment t
o the Commerce budget that would finance the census for the entire year, and di
rect the bureau to be
prepared to use either counting method. The Republicans
have challenged use of sampling in court, and in the unlikely event the
Supreme
Court decides to take up the issue, the judicary can decide the matter. Other
wise, Congress must stop trying to politicize
the census.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 94. The Washington 'Publication" #:\ P} P# 08/03/98;
Edition: 2; Section: A;COMMENTARY;EDITORIALS; Page A16
Headline#\
P}P# The stakes for the economyHeadline #:\ P} P#
As expected, the economy slowed considerably during the second quarter. The an
nual rate of growth for the April-June period
decelerated to 1.4 percent from a
roaring 5.5 percent during the first quarter, according to the Commerce Depart
ment's preliminary
estimate of gross domestic product released Friday.
ddThe slowdown had several causes. Some are surely temporary, but others may be
longer-lasting. The general consensus among
economists is that the General Mot
ors strike, which began June 5 and ended last week, shaved 1 percentage point o
ff the
second-quarter's growth rate. And a sharp, but welcome, decline in the r
ate of inventory investment knocked off another 2 percentage
points. A huge and
disturbing 8 percent decline in exports, reflecting the impact of Asia's econo
mic crisis, and a sharp increase in
imports, also Asia-related, together choppe
d another 2 to 3 points off the second quarter's growth rate. Yet all these del
eterious
effects, which together might have resulted in an actual decline in ou
tput, were offset by substantial increases in other areas.
Consumer spending, f
or example, increased by 5.8 percent, only slightly below the first quarter's r
ate. And private investment
continued to surge, rising by nearly 12 percent, th
anks in large part to a 17.8 percent increase in capital spending by businesses
The U.S. economy is now in its eighth year of expansion, the third longest
since World War II. Despite last quarter's slowdown,
U.S. economic fundamental
S remain strong. The federal budget is now in surplus, the first time that has
happened since 1969. And
future budgets are projected to generate ever-larger S
urpluses. In 1996 and 1997, productivity increased sharply, suggesting that the
recent increases in wages and benefits will not be inflationary. The unemployme
nt rate has been consistently declining since 1992,
reaching 4.9 percent last y
ear, the lowest rate since 1970. And today's 4.5 percent rate is nearly half a
percentage point lower than
1997's. In the face of declining unemployment, mean
while, inflation continues to fall as well. Indeed, as the Commerce Department
also reported last week, an economy-wide inflation index declined once again, r
eaching an annual rate of a miniscule 0.8 percent.
For all practical purposes,
the Federal Reserve has reached its goal of price stability.
ddLast week's news of a slowdown in economic growth and a decline in inflation
suggests that the Federal Reserve will continue
to find no need to raise short-
term interest rates in the near future. And that is very good news, both for th
e U.S. economy and the
global economy. In addition to dampening consumption and
investment, rising interest rates would adversely affect the stock market,
whi
ch has already declined nearly 5 percent in the past two weeks. Whatever one's
views are regarding whether or not the U.S. stock
market is overvalued, the fac
t remains that the bull market has been an important factor behind strong consu
mer spending, which
has been the backbone of the economic expansion. And now wo
uld not be the time for a Fed-induced stock market correction.
ddA double whammy of rising interest rates and falling household wealth, which
would result from a declining stock market, could
very well be enough to tip th
e U.S. economy into a recession, notwithstanding its sound economic fundamental
S. With 13 of Asia's
19 largest economies already mired in recession, the U.S.
market must continue to remain sufficiently strong in order to absorb Asian
exp
orts, regardless of the effects upon the U.S. trade deficit. Despite the centra
I role that Japan ought to play in Asia's recovery, the
likelihood that it is c
apable of meeting its regional responsibilities was dealt a major blow last wee
k. U.S. officials, it was reported,
have concluded that the bad-debt problem fr
om Japan's banking crisis now approaches $1 trillion, almost double Japan's low
- ball
official estimate. Thus, for the sake of the global economy, in both the
short term and long term, it is extremely important for the
U.S. locomotive, f
ueled by strong consumer demand and business investment, to continue surging fo
rward.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 95. Los Angeles "Publication" #:\ P#* 08/03/98; Ed
ition: Home Edition; Section: Metro; Editorial Writers Desk; Page B-4
Headline#\
P}P# The Internet and Child SafetyHeadline #:\
P}P#
ddWhat thread links an Illinois preacher, a Virginia pediatrician, a Dutch just
ice minister, a New Jersey kindergarten teacher and
a California Border Patrol
officer? All have been charged with receiving or distributing child pornography
over the Internet in recent
months. The teacher (who has pleaded guilty to por
nography charges), the preacher and the border patrolman were also charged with
soliciting minors over the Internet. These are examples of the growing number
of cases in which the Net has allegedly been used to
commit or facilitate crime
S involving children.
ddHere, for instance, Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks reported recently
that the Police Department has already filed twice
as many Net-related child cr
ime cases this year as it did in 1997.
ddPenalties are sufficiently stiff and laws are generally adequate. State and f
ederal fines and prison terms are hefty. The problem
is that local law enforcem
ent, like the LAPD, is often technically outmatched, with their aged computers,
slow modems and a lack
of access to sophisticated software programs that can p
ull supposedly deleted images out of a computer. That gap figures to grow
wider
now that any pedophile with a few bucks can buy new software programs that pro
mise to erase files" in these cases, child
pornography files"so completely they
can never be recovered.
ddMore ways should be found for police agencies to get better computer hardwar
e and software, through purchase or receiving
donations, to help suppress these
nasty crimes.
ddIn the meantime, experts have suggestions for parents: Put the family compute
r in a high-traffic area, like the living room, where
its use can be easily obs
erved; warn youngsters against revealing personal information on the Internet;
warn them to drop out of chat
room talk that turns to body parts or underwear;
insist on knowing your child's cyber friends, and limit hours online.
ddVice President Al Gore said Friday that the federal government will seek to i
mplement safeguards against the collection of
personal information from childre
n who use the Net. That's a smart move. Some Web sites that attract children en
courage them to
post their names and addresses. Preventing these postings would
help limit the opportunities of those who troll for young victims,
a hidden ho
rror of the cyberworld.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 96. The Salt Lake Tribune"Publication" #:\ P}P# 08/02/98S
ection: Opinion; Page AA1
Headline#\
P}P# Give Charter Schools a TryHeadline #:\ P}P#
Aside from radical reform, like strapping per-pupil state education subsidies
to the backs of students and letting the money follow
students to whatever pub
lic or private school they and their parents choose, Utah's most promising educ
ation reform lies in charter
schools.
ddJust recently, a State Board of Education committee approved start-up financi
ng for two charter schools, one geared toward the
arts near St. George and the
other for deaf students in the Salt Lake Valley.
ddlt is about time. Charter schools offer parents, students and teachers a vari
ety of options that could energize and improve learning.
Charter schools have m
ore autonomy from the often hidebound rules of traditional public schools so th
ey better can tailor theircurriculum around student needs.
ddNationally, charter schools are the product of rising parental frustration wi
th public schools, especially those in the nation's inner
cities where large nu
mbers of students seemingly are written off by educators too busy, too demorali
zed or even too lazy to reach
them.
ddThe charter schools movement is popular. They are in 29 states and the Distri
ct of Columbia. Even allies of the traditional public
school system and its tea
cher unions, like President Clinton, back charter schools. The president last y
ear announced $40 million
in grants to help charter schools open, and said he W
ants to see more than 3,000 of them nationwide by the year 2000. Now there
are
780.
ddPart of the motivation for all this backing, of course, lies in staving off
ust such a scenario as public education subsidies following
students into priva
te schools. Charter schools are a reasonable compromise between stand pat publi
c education supporters and those
who believe the best way to improve public sch
ooling is to let it compete head-to-head with private schools.
ddNevertheless, charter schools offer considerable educational promise and dese
rve a chance. Their success rests with results "
reaching agreed upon performan
ce standards. The freedom and flexibility they have is to better enable them to
reach their students
and achieve agreed-upon results.
ddUtah is to be congratulated for joining the charter school movement. There is
little, if anything, to lose and much to gain.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 97. San Diego Union Tribune' 'Publication" #:\
P}P#August 4
, 1998
Headline#\ P}P# Too good for the jobHeadline #:\ P}P#Subhead#[\ P}P# School
superintendent set high standardsSubhead#:\ P} P#
Any parent with a kid in Escondido's four high schools " or any with kids ab
out to enter one " should don a black armband
tonight when the high school bo
ard announces the resignation of Jane Gawronski as superintendent.
dd In her eight years in the post, Gawronski has demonstrated the kind of lead
ership, competence and principles that most
superintendents can only dream abo
ut. Among other things, she was instrumental in the district's successful effo
rt to pass a $43
million bond in 1996, resulting in badly needed face-lifts for
the four schools as well as the construction of a new high in Valley
Center.
dd She upgraded the summer school program so that more than four times as many
students in the overcrowded district could attend
(and take the courses they
needed), expanded the adult education program to nearly double its size and en
couraged more migrant
students to attend school by adding extra buses.
dd She was the first person from the CIF-San Diego section ever elected preside
nt of the CIF State Federated Council, and last year
was named the top superi
ntendent in the state by the Association of California School Administrators.
dd But, despite all her accomplishments, Gawronski had one major flaw: She was
a strong leader in a city which just about always
elects small-town politician
S to its school boards; politicians who can't stand being upstaged by competen
t administrators. And, as
in a lot of other county school districts, when scho
ol board members find themselves upstaged, they do something about it.
dd It happened in Vista. It happened in Chula Vista, in Coronado and in Escond
ido's elementary district. And now it has happened
in Escondido's high school
district.
dd Oh, everything will be peaches and cream at tonight's meeting. Board members
will fall all over themselves praising Gawronski's
success during the last ei
ght years. But at least three of the five will be laughing to themselves.
dd Make no mistake: Gawronski is being fired. She was just too independent for
the board to tolerate. Some board members didn't
like it when she supported an
advisory panel's recommendations that the nationwide Peer Helpers counseling
program be revised,
when she conducted her fiscal analysis of a charter school
and when she pushed for creation of a new, unified Valley Center/Pauma
Valle
y school district when the new Valley Center high school opened.
dd Never mind that Gawronski was successful in her independence. She always se
emed to overshadow the board, despite her best
efforts to the contrary. She wa
S too good in an arena where only somewhat good was demanded.
dd It would be unfair to hold her successor to the standards that she has set,
and virtually impossible for any successor to equal those
standards.
dd Escondido will miss her badly, particularly since she is departing only beca
use of the spitefulness of the school board.n
Publication#W\
P}P# 98. The (Boulder, Colo.) Daily Camera 'Publication" #:\
P}
P#August 4, 1998
Headline#\
P}P# Media bias distorts affirmative action debate Headline #:\
P}
P#
ddAstrange thing happened to news coverage of affirmative action in the city of
Houston. When the issue was on the city's ballot
last fall, national news medi
a gave the story lavish attention. Houston Mayor Bob Lanier led a fight to defe
at the Houston Civil
Rights Initiative " a measure challenging the city govern
ment's race and gender hiring policies and contracting set-asides. When
the mea
sure went down to defeat by a 54-46 margin, once again TV, newspapers and magaz
ines played the story big.
ddBut a month ago, when a judge threw out the results of the Houston election a
nd ordered a new vote, the media weren't very
interested. In Texas, the story W
as well covered, but outside the state there was very little media attention, a
nd in some areas, none
at all. The New York Times, for example, gave it six sen
tences on Page 13 in the last edition of a Saturday issue.
ddIn contrast, when the referendum results came in on Nov. 6, the Times trumpet
ed the story on Page One. A long report said, with
some zest, "Houston's voters
have put a suprising brake on a national movement that has often seemed to hav
e the momentum of an
unstoppable freight train." But when the surprising brake
proved faulty, the story seemed surprisingly minor. This seems true of the
thre
e major network news shows, too. A computer search of transcripts turned up no
evidence that they reported the overturning of
the Houston vote.
ddMichelle Malkin, a columnist at The Seattle Times, decided to make an issue o
f the media performance on this story, at least in
her hometown. She wrote a co
lumn criticizing her own paper: In the 10 days between the judge's decison and
her column, The Seattle
Times hadn't printed a story. She had learned about the
judge's ruling from friends in California. No newspaper in Washington state
ca
rried the story, even though an upcoming statewide vote on a measure similar to
Houston's is a hot political issue now.
dd"Given its exhaustive coverage of the Houston election in 1997," Malkin wrote
, "the Times' absolute silence is extraordinary
Sins of omission can be as
damaging to the news media's credibility as sins of commission."
ddTo its credit, The Seattle Times reponded last week with an explanation that
amounted to a semi-apology. Under the headline
"Times Gave Story on Houston Bal
lot Measure Short Shrift," the executive editor of the paper, Michael R. Fanche
r, said the story
had been overlooked in an awkward weekend news cycle. It had
come to The Associated Press from Texas late on a Friday, and the
AP had not in
cluded it on the wire report sent to Washington state.
ddThe Times missed it, Fancher said, because the first version of the judge's r
uling that moved on the AP wire received at the Times
was available for Saturda
y evening papers, but the Times doesn't publish on Saturday evening, and the ed
itors working on the Sunday
paper focused on the Sunday material, not the stori
es in the previous day's package.
ddWell, OK. People make mistakes, and the AP feed to the Northwest was partly r
esponsible for the sloppiness. But what about the
national media? Many have spe
cialists who are supposed to follow issues as important as affirmative action.
For many newspapers,
the story may have fallen into the crack between Saturday
and Sunday papers, but where was the follow-up? A computer search
shows only on
e major non-Texas daily The Washington Times publishing a full report lat
er in the week. And it didn't take
much news judgment to see that this was an i
important story: A judge canceled the results of the referendum because supporte
rs of
affirmative action preferences had tinkered with the language on the ball
ot to make sure the voting went their way.
ddThis linguistic tampering has failed to survive judicial review in California
, Washington state and now Houston. Judge Sharolyn
Wood said it was unfair to r
emove the original wording, taken from the 1964 Civil Rights Act ("The City of
Houston shall not
discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any
individual or group on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity or national origin
.") and to replace it with language that seemed to state that all affirmative a
ction efforts were being banned, not just clear race and
gender preferences ("S
hall the Charter of the City of Houston be amended to end the use of affirmativ
e action for women and
minorities ").
ddIn admitting its mistake, The Seattle Times acknowledged the issue of press b
ias: "Failing to come back with a complete story
about the Houston ruling feeds
that perception, which critics use for partisan gain."
ddYes, bias is an issue. More and more people now understand that the selection
and treatment of news stories often reflect the social
views of reporters and
editors rather than any non-partisan or allegedly objective standard. Our newsr
oom culture is so strongly
committed to affirmative action that a lot of report
ing on the subject is simply unreliable.
ddThe same is true on other hot-button social issues. Particularly on the two c
oasts, journalism is becoming an upper-class
occupation. It attracts and trains
people who come to share the social views conventional among our elites. These
opinions are
pumped into news coverage, first by osmosis, then through a deter
mination to do good by doing journalism. It's widening the gap
between the medi
a and the rest of us. n
END ATTACHMENT 1
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Daily Education News
Tuesday, August 4, 1998
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Public Affairs
Carlin Hertz, Editor 202-401-1576
Visit our online version at intranet/news
This compilation of news reports contains copyrighted materials obtained through licensing agreements
and is intended solely for the use of department employees.
What Follows
NATIONAL
1. Associated Press
Calif. School Bilingual Law Begins
2. The Washington Post
In Calif. Classrooms, A Troubled Transition
3. Los Angeles Times
With Gestures, but Not Chaos, Prop. 227 Begins
4. San Diego Union-Tribune
English-immersion era under way as Prop. 227 reaches the classroom
5. World Today (CNN)
Bilingual Education Dropped from California Curriculum
6. World News Tonight (ABC)
A CLOSER LOOK PROP 227 LEADS TO CONFUSION IN CALIFORNIA
CLASSES
7. World News Tonight (ABC)
A CLOSER LOOK MIAMI IS PROUD OF ITS BILINGUAL PROGRAM
8. All Things Considered (NPR)
California Bilingual Education
9. All Things Considered (NPR)
Colorado Bilingual Education
10. ABCNews.com
In California, Proposition 227 Begins This Week: Back to the Big E for the 3Rs
11. Associated Press
Clinton Warns of Veto To Help Kids
12. Christian Science Monitor
The Challenge for Schools: Connecting Adults With Kids
13. Christian Science Monitor
Tackling the SAT? Test-Prep Help Abounds
14. Christian Science Monitor
Summer and Basic Skills
15. Associated Press
Reno Urges Laws on Kids and Guns
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
16. Associated Press
MIT Requires Online Applications
17. The New York Times
Students Abroad Find A Wealth of Choices, And Even Bargains
18. The New York Times
Why Johnny's Doing Calculus: The Booming Education Industry
19. The New York Times
Easy Degrees Proliferate on the Web
20. The New York Times
Back To the Blackboard
21. The New York Times
Sonny, We Didn't Have Calculators Back Then (And I Had to Walk)
22. The New York Times
Barbarians at the Schoolhouse Door
23. The New York Times
Alumni Editors Call for Freedom
24. The New York Times
Military Fires a Warning Shot at Law Schools
25. The New York Times
Where the Girls Are: Where Boys Aren't
26. The New York Times
Forging a Worldview: From Crow's Nest to Ivory Tower
27. The New York Times
'So, Like, What Do I Do Now?' Some of the Alternatives
28. The New York Times
After High School, A Call to arms
TRADE
29. Education Week
It's About Teaching And Learning -Not Testing
30. Education Week
What's Wrong With Bilingual Education? Repair It, Don't Replace It
31. Education Week
What's Wrong With Bilingual Education? Is It 'Lingual,' or Is It 'Education'?
32. Education Week
More Parents Want Charters, Ed. Dept. Study Concludes
33. Education Week
Predominantly Black Charters Focus of Debate in N.C.
34. Education Week
N.Y. To Require Accreditation For Ed. Schools
35. Education Week
Senate OKs HEA Bill That Would Streamline Teacher Ed.
36. Education Week
Future Shape of E-Rate Program In State of Flux on Capitol Hill
37. Education Week
Contractor Gets More Time To Write National Test Items
38. Education Week
GOP Report Underscores Two Views on Federal Role
39. Education Week
House Spending Bill Takes Conservative Line
40. Education Week
District Holding Some Notes in Assault Case
41. Education Week
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Mayor To Control Cleveland Schools After Judge Ends State Intervention
42. Education Week
Mass. Reacts to More Test Data; Teacher Proposal Outlined
43. LRP Publications
Senate Passes Job Training Conference Report
44. Education Week
Researchers Blame Test Revisions for Falling III. Reading Scores
45. LRP Publications
House, Senate GOP Lawmakers Offer Measure to Abolish E-Rate Agency
46. LRP Publications
Teacher Group Launches Laptop Computer Initiative for Educators
47. Education Week
Georgia, Maryland Beef Up Teacher Education Programs
48. LRP Publications
Study Reveals Threat of School Shootings "Overblown"
49. Education Week
Taxes, Transfer Program on the Table In St. Louis Desegregation Settlement
50. LRP Publications
Clinton Gears Up to Veto GOP Education Agenda
51. Education Week
Barriers to Education Exist Long Before High School Among Latinos, Report Says
52. Education Week
Pirated Software Could Prove Costly To L.A. District
53. Education Week
Waco Gets Tough With Summer School Effort
54. Education Week
Despite National Defeat, NEA and AFT Work Toward Mergers in States
55. Education Week
Schools Gear Up As Bilingual Ed. Law Takes Effect
56. Education Week
Black Parents Want Focus on Academics
57. Education Week
Researcher at Center of Storm Over Vouchers
58. Education Daily
Funding Alert
59. Education Daily
News Briefs
60. Education Daily
Initiative Spurs Math, Science Teaching Via Laptops
61. Education Daily
Job Training Bills Would Allow Joint Voc Ed Plans
62. Education Daily
House Consolidated Loans Spell Trouble In Congress For ED
63. Education Daily
Revised IDEA Quashes School District's Help For Student
64. Education Daily
Tracking Isn't A Bogeyman, Harvard Professor Says
65. CongressDaily
Clinton Threatens To Veto Labor-HHS Bill In Current Form
66. Education Daily
House Again Uses D.C. Bill For Pet Education Policies
LOCAL
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67. The Washington Post
Back to Class Already?
68. Austin American Statesmen
Record number of Texas schools given top grade
69. Ft. Worth Star Telegram
Pay raises proposed for some teachers
70. Columbia (SC) State
Schools plan what to do in case of shootings
71. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Doyle unveils effort to avert pupil violence
72. Detroit Free Press
New leader says Detroit presence is a possibility
73. Boston Globe
Communities, school districts to see record increases in state aid
74. Richmond Times-Dispatch
THE OLD COLLEGE TRY SCRAMBLE FOR TUITION IS EASIER THE EARLIER
YOU START SAVING
75. Richmond Times-Dispatch
CONFUSED ABOUT HOW TO PLAN FOR TUITION?
76. The Pueblo (Colo) Chieftain
Magnet School Ready to Open Doors
77. Houston Chronicle
Public schools crumbling as tax money hard to find
78. The Washington Post
To a Degree, Darrell Green Has Filled the Last Hole in His Life
79. Chicago Sun-Times
Feds probe suburb teacher pensions
INTERNATIONAL
80. BBC News
Bilingual ban takes effect
COMMENTARY
81. Daily Texan
Education debates ignore real issues
82. Christian Science Monitor
Getting Beyond Cramming for Exams
83. Los Angeles Times
Lengthening Class Time
84. The Wall Street Journal
ESAs Don't Divert Public School Funds
85. Boston Herald
Principals can help ed success
86. Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Are education schools lost among trends?
87. Harrisburg Patriot-News
Other needs supersede 4-year university
88. Greensboro News & Record
SCHOOL YEAR'S FIRST CHALLENGE
89. The Washington Times
Keeping science education on the cutting edge
90. Raleigh News & Observer
Student courts must be free to punish campus crime
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91. The Sacramento Bee
`LOOPING' KEEPS KIDS, TEACHERS TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR
EDITORIAL
92. Investors Business Daily
Education Reform In Black And White
93. New York Times
Keeping the Census Fair
94. The Washington Times
The stakes for the economy
95. Los Angeles Times
The Internet and Child Safety
96. The Salt Lake Tribune
Give Charter Schools a Try
97. San Diego Union Tribune
Too good for the job
98. The (Boulder, Colo.) Daily Camera
Media bias distorts affirmative action debate
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6
7
8
9
10
NATIONAL
1. Associated Press
08/03/98
Calif. School Bilingual Law Begins
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Thousands of
Critics say the law is the latest strike
"We are bidding farewell to a very dear
kids headed back to school Monday,
against immigrants in California, where
friend, a bilingual friend that we believe
giving teachers, students and parents
voters already have stripped illegal
in. It's like mourning, but now the denial
their first look at how California's new
immigrants of health, education and
phase is over."
bilingual education law will translate in
welfare benefits, and the University of
Instead, they will try to make the best
the classroom.
California has banned affirmative action.
of it, she said, vowing that Hughes
Voters in June approved Proposition
But some say the initiative was long
Elementary would become one of the
227, which virtually eliminated bilingual
overdo.
"best Proposition 227 schools" in the Los
education classes with its decree that
"They should have done something
Angeles area. The school is located in the
children in the nation's most populous
about it years ago," said parent Sylvia
small working-class city of Cudahy,
state should be taught "overwhelmingly"
Velaz, whose 9-year old daughter spoke
southwest of downtown Los Angeles.
in English.
Spanish and then became fluent in
In Lucia Espinoza's combination
Teacher Isabel Rodriguez was nervous
English. "I don't think bilingual
second- and third-grade class at Hughes,
and frustrated as she looked upon the
education works very well. If they're kept
her 13 students sat cross-legged at her
faces of her 18 first-graders starting a
in an environment where they're speaking
feet as she read a story to them about a
new session of year-round school.
Spanish all the time, it won't do
boy who did not like school and walked
"They're anxious anyway because it's
anything."
to class slowly.
their first day of school, and I was unable
The law requires that children who
"Who can show me how you walk
to console them in their language," Ms.
have limited English ability be put in a
slowly?" Ms. Espinoza asked. A boy
Rodriguez said. "So I had to use simple,
one-year immersion course. After 30
raised his hand and shuffled across the
basic words in English to tell them that
days, parents can get a waiver to put their
rug in front of his classmates.
everything will be all right."
child back in bilingual education under
The children did not actually say the
Ms. Rodriguez's feelings of insecurity,
limited conditions.
word "slowly," but appeared to grasp its
confusion and even anger were shared by
Most school districts in California do
meaning.
many teachers in the Los Angeles Unified
not reopen until September. But the
An immersion class was active and
School District, the nation's second
schools in Los Angeles Unified began a
noisy as children learned English through
largest, as 19,700 students started new
new year-round track Monday, forcing
words and pictures on the walls,
semesters at 50 schools. A year-round
teachers, students and parents to struggle
role-playing, puppetry and hearing
schedule staggers the school year for the
early with the question of how to make
lessons read aloud.
district's 681,000 students to maximize
the transition as painless as possible.
"Children are very, very resilient,"
space.
"It's more emotional than hectic," said
said Victor Chavira, a fourth-grade
Of those students who started school
Esther Castruita, principal at Theresa
teacher at Hughes. "They will adapt. But
Monday, less than half are fluent in
Hughes Elementary School, where the
how well they adapt remains to be seen.
English.
student population is 99 percent Latino.
It's a gray area.
2. The Washington Post
08/04/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: A Section; Page A03
In Calif. Classrooms, A Troubled Transition
Students, Teachers Struggle to Adjust On First Day of English-Only
Education
By William Booth
Armenian and Spanish to all-English, all
overwhelming support on June 2. The
Washington Post Staff Writer
the time, often without the help of
initiative, sponsored by Silicon Valley
The sweeping social experiment known
textbooks or lesson plans.
software entrepreneur Ron Unz, replaced
as bilingual education officially ended
In Oakland and San Francisco, where
bilingual education with a year of English
today in the state where it began.
schools do not open for another few
language immersion. Except in charter
Confusion reigned in many California
weeks, officials were still holding out
schools, students are then to be pushed
school districts and defiance in others as
against implementation of Proposition
into mainstream all-English classes.
teachers struggled to switch from Korean,
227, the voter initiative that passed with
The end of bilingual education in
and the one with the largest immigrant
other states also facing influxes of
California, the largest state in the union
population, is being closely watched by
immigrant
children.
Reflecting
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11
resentment over the spreading challenge,
students are well served by first learning
Lourdes Gillespie Baird turned down
a bill curtailing funding for bilingual
reading, writing and core subjects such as
another challenge by the Mexican
education has been introduced in
math and science in their primary
American Legal Defense and Education
Congress. But in the meantime, the
languages, and then being "transitioned"
Fund to block the end of bilingual
change began today in Los Angeles.
into all-English classes after several
education in Los Angeles. MALDEF
In Maria Elena Crabb's first day with
years. Many bilingual activists have
attorneys had argued that the Los
her new second-grade class at Alexandria
charged that Proposition 227 was racist
Angeles district is unprepared for such a
Avenue Elementary School here, students
and anti-immigrant.
massive upheaval. But Baird said that the
who previously were taught almost
But opponents of bilingual education
teachers were quite capable of teaching
exclusively in Spanish found their
describe it as a failed experiment that
English.
teacher introducing herself this morning
became bogged down, where students
"You're not giving the teachers the
in English. As the children, in their new
spent years learning Spanish and not
credit they're due," Baird said.
blue and white uniforms, sat squirming
English, the language immigrant children
But in Los Angeles, half of the
on the floor at her feet, Mrs. Crabb began
most need to succeed. In California, only
district's 680,000 students are not fluent
reading from the storybook about little
7 percent of bilingual students made that
in English. And at Alexandria
Madeline:
elusive "transition" each year.
Elementary School, the teachers today
"In an old house in Paris that was
San Francisco Superintendent
did their best without textbooks or
covered with vines, lived 12 little girls in
Waldemar Rojas has said he plans to
detailed teaching plans.
two straight lines."
continue offering bilingual education, as
Maria Elena Crabb said the problem is
Some of the children understood
the school district is still under a federal
not so much teaching her students
almost every word (vine was a tough
court order dating from the 1970s. That
English, but teaching them other subjects.
one), and waved their hands in the air to
order, the so-called Lau decision, began
In math, for example, she must first teach
answer questions. But others seemed lost
the bilingual age by guaranteeing lessons
them the numbers in English, and then
and withdrawn. "You see those faces?"
in a language the student can understand.
introduce concepts such as addition and
asked Crabb later. "Total blanks."
Rojas said the decision to continue
subtraction, borrowing and carrying, all
In Los Angeles, where a new semester
bilingual education is not an act of
in English.
started today at 50 year-round schools,
defiance, but adherence to a court order.
"I think the smart kids will succeed,
the district is replacing bilingual
In Orange County south of here,
like anything else in life," Crabb said.
education with two alternatives. In the
school officials took advantage of a
"The ones who are slower? They might
first, students are taught exclusively in
loophole and have delayed ending
not get it."
English. Under the second, students, such
bilingual education, but only for several
On the first day of class, as the
as Crabb's second-graders, are also taught
months. One panicky official in Santa
children sounded off their assigned
mostly in English, but their teachers are
Ana compared ending bilingual
numbered spaces in line, several could
allowed to occasionally explain concepts
education to stopping a speeding train.
not utter the magic words in English.
and words in Spanish.
Over the last 20 years, California
Crabb was not disheartened. She coaxed
How much Spanish?
educators created an elaborate
the numbers out of them, and when they
"Nobody knows," said Alexandria
bureaucracy for teaching students whose
spoke in Spanish, she simply repeated
Principal Carol Labrow. "As they've
primary language is not English.
their words in English. Over and over
explained it to us, before we had a full
Foreign-language textbook sales boomed.
and over again.
cup of Spanish. Now we have a quarter
Bilingual teachers were coveted and
ART PH,, TODD BIGELOW FOR TWP
cup. It is a precious resource and I'm
given an extra $5,000 a year. About 1.4
CAPTION: Above, Maria Elena Crabb's
telling my teachers not to waste it."
million students in California are not
students show up for their first day of
But Labrow promised that no students
proficient in English, and at least half of
second grade at Alexandria Avenue
would be punished for speaking their
them have been in some kind of bilingual
Elementary School in Los Angeles.
primary languages. "I'm not going to have
program. But with the passage of
Crabb, left, used to teach in
a bunch of kindergarteners out on the
Proposition 227, schools had only 60
Spanish and English but now must
playground crying because no one will
days to come up with a new way to teach.
immerse her students in English. One
tell them what to do in Spanish," she
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
student, Yolanda Alvarado, right, was
said.
on Friday refused to grant an injunction
among many students who needed help
The termination of bilingual education
to block implementation of the initiative
understanding what Crabb was saying.
has produced bitter feelings among many
statewide. An appeal is pending.
of its advocates, who believe that
In another ruling, U.S. District Judge
3. Los Angeles Times
* 08/04/98; Edition: Orange County Edition; Section: Metro Desk; Page A-1
With Gestures, but Not Chaos, Prop. 227 Begins
By TINA NGUYEN;
many hand gestures-but seemingly none
enrollments of immigrant children
BETTINA BOXALL
of the chaos predicted by apprehensive
continued to offer primary-language
The post-bilingual age began in Los
educators.
instruction. Officials of the Santa Ana
Angeles schools Monday with
And in Orange County, two of the
Unified and Anaheim City school
uncertainty, improvisation and a good
school systems with the largest
districts said they will continue to do so
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12
until administrators craft solid plans for
At Van Nuys Elementary, one could
Ana Unified and Anaheim City have used
English-immersion programs.
hear only a sprinkling of Spanish among
a technicality to delay implementation of
That allowed Santa Ana first-grade
the students who returned Monday, as the
English-only programs. To do so, they
teacher Victoria Boyd to read aloud a
language all but disappeared from many
changed the date when their official
Spanish translation of the popular
classrooms. Youngsters who once spent
school year starts.
children's book "The Very Hungry
their days reading and writing Spanish
Proposition 227 was to take effect for
Caterpillar" to her pupils at Benjamin
were instead reciting the alphabet and
all schools that begin after Aug. 2. But in
Franklin Elementary School.
greeting one another in English.
those two districts, last Friday's teacher
Throughout the story, the youngsters
Instructors who had spent years
training day was used to mark the start of
sat perfectly still, lis
teaching in Spanish reminded themselves
the school calendar.
tening intently and answering
to speak English, even as some said they
The two districts, both on year-round
questions eagerly. But when Boyd moved
preferred the bilingual approach.
schedules, thus are exempt from
to another story, this one in English,
The majority of Van Nuys classes
implementing
English-immersion
eyelids drooped, little bodies fidgeted
offered virtually no help in Spanish
programs until their next batch of
and attention faded.
except for bilingual aides who gave
students starts classes. For Santa Ana
Switching to an "overwhelmingly"
occasional tips to students. Teachers tried
Unified, that will be Sept. 10; and for
English program will be tough, said
hard to make their lessons clear by using
Anaheim City, November.
Boyd, who has taught bilingual classes
gestures-one pointed to the floor when
Critics called the move an attempt to
for 14 years.
she asked the class to sit down. The
skirt the new law.
"I don't want the students to feel like
teachers spoke slowly and clearly and
"If a district as large as Los Angeles
their primary language is being shoved
frequently repeated words for the benefit
Unified can make an attempt to
out of the door," she said. "At the same
of their students.
implement 227, then it is inexcusable that
time, I think we can abide by the law and
When second-grade teacher Beth
Santa Ana is lagging," said Sheri Annis,
meet the needs of the children."
Shwarz told her pupils to write their
spokeswoman for the Prop. 227 initiative.
Many students in Los Angeles,
names at the bottom of their personal
But teachers say their students' needs
however, seemed to be struggling
journals, she repeated the last two words
have to be a primary concern.
Monday.
of her instructions in slow motion:
With more than 312,000 students
There were glazed looks of
"T-H-E B-O-T-T-O-M."
classified as having limited English
incomprehension and worry in some
At one point, she emphasized, "Please,
skills-nearly a quarter of the 1.4 million
classrooms as teachers and students at 47
if you have questions, ask me," adding in
such students statewide-the Los
year-round elementary schools started a
Spanish, "Por favor, si tienen preguntas,
Angeles Unified School District will play
new semester, making them among the
preguntenme." No Textbooks or Lesson
a pivotal rule in determining whether
first in the state to return to class under
Plans
Proposition 227's mandate for English
Proposition 227, the June initiative that
While they improvised their way
instruction succeeds or fails.
essentially eliminated bilingual education
through the first morning, many teachers
The district has developed four
in California's public schools.
wondered how they would fare in the
instruction options that parents of
But the morning went surprisingly
coming days without a formal lesson plan
limited-English students can chose from:
smoothly at eight schools visited by
for teaching English-it won't be ready
Immerse the pupils in English; instruct
Times reporters. There was no flood of
for three more weeks-or the necessary
them almost entirely in English with
requests for waivers to dodge the
English-language textbooks, which won't
classroom aides and fellow students
English-immersion instruction that is
even be ordered for another month.
offering native-language help (known as
now the state mandate. There was no
"I said to my family that I can get
Model A); teach them almost entirely in
defiant flouting of the initiative.
through the first day and probably the
English with a certified bilingual
Instead, teachers, parents and students
next few days," said first-grade teacher
education teacher in class to help (known
all seemed in a mood to try to do what
Rosario Martin at Christopher Dena
as Model B); apply for a waiver to place
they were now expected to do, however
Elementary in East Los Angeles. "My
the child in a traditional bilingual
difficult-or even distasteful-it might
greatest concern is the curriculum. As we
program.
be for them. And many of the youngsters
see it right now there's no real
Parents will not have to pick a method
had little difficulty following their
curriculum."
for another month.
teachers' English.
That is exactly why officials at Santa
Santa Ana Unified officials said they
the extra time they created by changing
implementation. The "English for the
plan to offer similar options. Their
their official start day will help them
Children Project," will take calls from
intensive English-immersion program
develop a well-planned program, they
whistle-blowers on a toll-free number.
will allow teachers to spend 80% of the
said.
Unz said the calls would be logged to
time teaching in English and the rest of
"Rather than spend our time lamenting
help determine which schools or districts
the class in the students' primary
that [Prop. 227] is here, we need to make
should be targeted with lawsuits for
language. Also available will be a
good plans to make the program
noncompliance. Few Requests for
dual-immersion program that teaches
successful," Franklin Elementary
Waivers
students of various language backgrounds
Principal Robert McDonald said.
The post-bilingual era began in Los
both Spanish and English.
Backers of Proposition 227 let its first
Angeles and a few other districts
Administrators from both Santa Ana
day of enforcement pass with little
scattered around the state despite the best
Unified and Anaheim City said they
fanfare, though businessman Ron K. Unz,
efforts of opponents, who went to court
intend to comply fully with the new law
the oft-quoted sponsor of the initiative,
to block implementation of the initiative
by their respective deadlines. However,
announced a program to help monitor its
and in some cases have vowed to defy it.
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13
As late as Friday, two federal courts
classroom.
"I think the public's perception was
ruling in separate lawsuits filed by civil
At Monte Vista Elementary in
that no English was being taught in
rights groups gave the initiative a green
Highland Park, Sabina Cortez was
bilingual programs but that's not so," said
light.
concerned that she would not be able to
Heather Hagen-Smith, as her first-graders
Officials of the Mexican American
help her child on homework that was
at Canoga Park Elementary School sang
Legal Defense and Educational Fund,
only in English. Like several other
songs about shoes and buses in English
which vehemently fought Proposition
parents, she was leaning toward putting
to build their vocabulary.
227, said last month that they would urge
her child in the Model B program, with
Still, other teachers expressed
as many parents as possible to apply for
limited Spanish support.
concerns about whether students with
waivers to thwart the initiative.
But Veronica Estrada, who said she
limited English abilities will be able to
It is too soon to tell if such waiver
speaks Spanish perfectly, was firm about
adequately develop learning skills in
requests will come pouring in, but there
choosing the all-English model. "I don't
English-and whether they will get the
was no great demand Monday. Only a
speak Spanish at home," she stressed.
help they need at home.
handful of parents asked about them at
Her older daughters are now in high
"It's a big concern. I can't tell how it's
back-to-school
meetings
with
school and are taking Spanish as a second
going to go," said Canoga Park
administrators at San Pedro Street
language. That suits her, she said.
kindergarten teacher Christina Cuevas.
Elementary. Some parents at the sessions
Predictions of upheaval in classrooms
"The kids have to be taught in English,
did express fear, though, that their
failed to materialize on Monday precisely
regardless of what I think."
children would somehow forget how to
because of the role that English played
speak Spanish. A few wanted assurances
under the school district's old bilingual
that some Spanish would be used in the
programs, teachers said.
4. San Diego Union-Tribune
August 4, 1998
English-immersion era under way as Prop. 227 reaches
the classroom
By Chris Moran and Anna Cearley
overwhelmingly in English. In Vista
until classes resume this fall. The
STAFF WRITERS
Unified School District, that means at
measure will impact 1.4 million students
VISTA - Iris Huerta speaks some
least 70 percent of the time.
with limited English skills statewide.
English, but her first day of second grade
The voter-approved proposition
The Vista school board is expected
at Olive Elementary School promised to
ended most bilingual education in the
Thursday to adopt a plan giving parents
test how much.
state's public schools. Instead,
one of three classroom options for their
When asked if she would understand
limited-English-speaking students receive
limited-English-speaking kids: 70 percent
her teacher, the 7-year-old just shrugged.
a one-year crash course in English
English, English only or bilingual
With gestures as the lingua franca,
backed up by bits of their first language.
education (parents could seek waivers to
two North County school districts
Because the measure took effect over
keep their children in bilingual
yesterday kicked off a new school year
the weekend, year-round schools in
programs).
- and a new era in teaching California's
Vista and Escondido, which started a new
There's no choice for the first 30 days.
limited-English speakers.
school year yesterday, became the first in
Limited-English speakers get the 70
The passage of Proposition 227 in
the county to try to live under it.
percent option. Then parents are allowed
June means Iris's teachers will speak
Most local schools won't be affected
to move their children to other classes.
Iczel Posos, a 14-year-old
Daisy blurted out, "Yo quiero sentarme
She passed out crayons and rulers,
eighth-grader at Washington Middle
alla, (I want to sit there)," pointing to a
and reminded the students not to break
School in Vista, said she already notices
vacant seat next to a boy.
them or use them as weapons. The
the difference. She gave terse answers to
Wright responded, "I get to make that
students started to fill out a work sheet,
questions during a break, and said this
decision."
finding classmates who "like to read" or
year is more difficult "because it's mas
Daisy, hoping to appease him with
"walk to school." A picture accompanied
(more) English."
English, said "Please!"
each phrase, so they could figure it out.
Asked if that meant she'd learn her
At Felicita School in the Escondido
A few asked Dearinger in Spanish what
second language more quickly, she
Union elementary district, teacher
the words meant, and she explained to
replied, "Maybe."
Tatiana Dearinger went over class rules,
them in English until they understood.
She and her friend Daisy Morales, a
and the consequences of breaking them,
No one had to ask her what the word
13-year-old seventh-grader, responded
with her second-graders. It was all done
"recess" meant. The class let out a cheer.
quickly to teacher Tim Wright's
in English, slowly and with hand
Marcela Torres, 6, admitted that "not
questions, particularly when he asked for
motions.
everything" was making sense in English.
translations to Spanish.
"If you need to get a drink of water,
Israel Martinez, 7, made a similar
But when they needed to ask
then you push in your chair and go to get
assessment, and said he wants to learn
something of Wright, more often they
a drink," she said, pointing to the faucet
English.
relied on Spanish.
in the back of the room. "But there's only
At Olive Elementary in Vista, Denise
When Wright began assigning seats.
one person at the fountain at a time."
Childs reached her 30 percent allotment
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
14
of Spanish by 11:25 a.m., and switched
It wasn't until Childs showed them by
change. I hope that this makes for a
to English for her first-graders'
drawing her hand out of a desk and onto
quicker transition to (the) English
geography and penmanship.
its surface that the Spanish speakers
language," he said.
Childs told the students in English to
followed the directions.
That would please Maria Rojero. Her
take out pencils and paper.
Vista Superintendent Dave Cowles
6-year-old daughter, Karina, started an
Felisha, a native English speaker,
said the new law did not cause any
English immersion program last year.
complied. But Sheila to her left and
unusual disruptions, though it drew
"I don't understand much English,"
Lissette to her right (the school forbade
plenty of media attention to the
Rojero said in Spanish, "but I don't want
the use of last names) merely continued
25,000-student district.
my children to be like me.
to look at the teacher.
"I think this will be a significant
5. World Today (CNN)
August 4, 1998
Bilingual Education Dropped from California
Curriculum
JIM MORET, CNN ANCHOR: As
"bi" as time went on and more and more
offices downtown. It's not a future they
thousands of children in Los Angeles
Spanish.
want for their children.
head back to school this week, a new
In June, voters passed California
MCDERMOTT: What does this
state law is making the return more
Proposition 227, which dropped bilingual
woman want for her child?
stressful than usual for some of them. It
education in favor of English immersion.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through
requires children whose first language is
Now some critics of 227 saw it as
translator): I want her to learn to speak
Spanish to be taught only in English.
something of a racist slap at
English, but at the same time, that she
CNN's Anne McDermott reports.
Spanish-speaking school children. But
doesn't stop speaking Spanish.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
supporters pointed out that nearly half of
MCDERMOTT: The principal at Los
ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN
Los Angeles school children speak
Angeles' Alexandria Avenue Elementary
CORRESPONDENT
(voice-over):
limited English and argued something
School says she's not completely sold on
You're about to see something a little
had to be done. And they got support
English immersion yet, but admits she's
amazing.
from a somewhat surprising quarter. They
discovering the children know more
PATRICIA YURICH, 1ST GRADE
got support from some Spanish-speaking
English than she thought they did.
TEACHER: The first word I want you to
parents.
YURICH: What does "plant" mean?
write on your paper is "cat."
Alice Callahan, who runs a day care
MCDERMOTT: And Ms. Yurich's
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Easy.
center for poor families, says many of
first graders are learning even more.
MCDERMOTT: And it was easy,
them believe no English means no way
(on camera): Do you think people
even though some experts predicted these
out.
underestimated the kids?
Spanish-speaking kids might fail at
ALICE
CALLAHAN,
YURICH: I kind of think so. I do.
English immersion classes. English
PROPOSITION 227 SUPPORTER: The
Because at an early - at a young age
immersion: in California schools, that's
families that come to Las Familias work
like this, they're very adaptable, and
what's replacing bilingual education,
in the garment district sweat shops. They
they're so eager to learn.
which some believe became less and less
sell tamales on corners. They clean
Where did it go?
MCCDERMOTT: Eager to learn.
Anne McDermott, CNN, Los
Angeles.
6. World News Tonight (ABC)
08/03/98Section: NEWS;
A CLOSER LOOK PROP 227 LEADS TO
CONFUSION IN CALIFORNIA CLASSES
By JUDY MULLER
bilingual environment.
JUDY MULLER, ABC News:
CHARLES GIBSON
In California today, it is the first day
(voice-over) These children are among
CHARLES GIBSON: Tonight, "A
of classes in what's supposed to be a new
the first in California to get a taste of
Closer Look" at one of the most hotly
era in education. Proposition 227 goes
Proposition 227. In the words of the law,
debated issues in America - bilingual
into effect - the measure passed by
"nearly all" instruction must now be in
education. Some argue against it, saying
California voters in June that seeks to end
English.
that if children raised in
bilingual education once and for all. But
CATHERINE KENNEY, Teacher:
non-English-speaking families are going
will it really do that? ABC's Judy Muller
Can everybody say bathtub?
to succeed in America, they need to know
reports on the California confusion.
STUDENTS: Bathtub.
and learn in English. Others argue that
STUDENTS: I pledge allegiance to
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) But
children can learn and flourish in a
the flag..
what does "nearly all" mean exactly?
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
15
CATHERINE KENNEY: Our
JUDY
MULLER:
(voice-over)
make for sound educational policy. Now
understanding at the meetings that we've
Backers of Prop 227 worry that too many
that they must comply with the law, a lot
had is that we can have a very broad
waivers from parents will result in
of them are wondering who will police it?
interpretation of that. It could be 51
bilingual education as it used to be in
KEN URBINA, Principal: That's a
percent, you know, really kind of pushing
schools from San Diego to San
very good question. We know it will be
it.
Francisco. Educators say the 30-day
policed because we know the proponents
RON UNZ, Chairman, Proposition
waiver creates a scheduling nightmare,
of Proposition 227 are going to be on top
227: I think it would be 90 percent or a
because teachers and classes may have to
of this all the time.
lot more than that. Nearly all means
be reshuffled after the first month of
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) Prop
nearly all.
school.
227 has a provision allowing parents to
CATHERINE KENNEY: Buenos
CORA
WATKINS,
Assistant
sue any teacher who fails to follow the
dias, ninos.
Principal: It's kind of like being a semi
law.
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over)
with a flat tire. We're rolling down the
RON UNZ: And we think that will put
Previously, children were instructed in
road. We started July 1. We're expected
a lot of pressure on school officials to
their native language and gradually
to change the tire en route.
implement the law as they really should
transitioned into English. Now, they are
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) Like
anyway.
immediately placed in an English
many schools, Walnut Park may be stuck
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) How
immersion class. But there is a legal
with brand new bilingual textbooks
the children react to these changes
loophole. After 30 days, parents can sign
ordered before the initiative was passed.
remains to be seen. Clearly, the voters
a waiver requesting their child be moved
(on camera) So how much are you out
hope the transition to English.
to a bilingual program. At Walnut Park
in terms of money?
STUDENTS WAITING FOR
Elementary in East L.A., the faculty's
CORA WATKINS: Over $100,000,
SWING: Once, doce, trece, catorce
confusion is typical.
was the initial order, English and
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) will
FACULTY MEMBER: If they do sign
Spanish.
be swift.
the waiver and they do choose for that
JUDY MULLER: Will they take them
LITTLE GIRL NEAR SWING: Get
bilingual program, will it look just like
back?
off it.
what we have now? Or will it be
CORA
WATKINS:
Extremely
JUDY MULLER: (voice-over) Judy
something different?
doubtful.
Muller, ABC News, Los Angeles.
GROUP LEADER: It will still be the
JUDY MULLER: Many educators
same kind of program that we're running
opposed Prop 227, arguing that a
right now. Yeah.
one-size-fits-all ballot initiative does not
7. World News Tonight (ABC)
08/03/98Section: NEWS;
A CLOSER LOOK MIAMI IS PROUD OF ITS
BILINGUAL PROGRAM
By REBECCA CHASE
About a third of the students here enter
Fifty percent of the population here is
CHARLES GIBSON
school unable to speak English fluently.
Hispanic. Being able to speak both
CHARLES GIBSON: Actually, there's a
But by fourth grade, most are fluent in
English and Spanish is increasingly an
national movement to cut back bilingual
English.
economic necessity.
education. A bill before Congress would
2nd STUDENT: It's like a cup that
(voice-over) Business here is
set a limit of three years on the length of
keeps - that makes things hot.
conducted in two languages. Television,
time a student could be enrolled in a
REBECCA CHASE: (voice-over)
radio, newspapers, even the yellow pages
bilingual program.
and in Spanish.
are delivered in both languages. Trade
But we also go tonight to Florida,
JORGE VACA, 4th GRADER: I think
with Latin America is worth billions.
where ABC's Rebecca Chase reports
you can learn both languages perfectly at
Business and civic leaders are among the
from Miami. In Miami, they're not trying
the same time. At least that's what I did.
strongest supporters of bilingual
to end bilingual education, they're proud
REBECCA CHASE: (voice-over) In
education.
of it.
this model program, bilingual instruction
Mayor
ALEX
PENELAS,
REBECCA CHASE, ABC News:
is not considered remedial education, but
Miami-Dade County, Florida: Our
(voice-over) For three hours a day,
essential for everyone - even
economic future depends, to a great
children at Coral Way Elementary learn
English-speaking children.
extent, on our ability to compete in this
in English.
EYDA CALZADILLA, Teacher:
international marketplace, and that's why
1st STUDENT: Something that makes
When they're going to out there in the
it's so important for us in this community
hair shorter.
real world, this is what they are going to
to have biliterate people.
REBECCA CHASE: (voice-over)
deal with. They are not going to deal with
REBECCA CHASE: (voice-over)
Then for two hours, lessons are in
someone that speaks English 24 hours a
That's why earlier this year, the school
Spanish.
day, every day.
board voted to spend more than $2
(Students speaking Spanish)
REBECCA CHASE: (on camera) In
million to expand bilingual education.
REBECCA CHASE: (voice-over)
Miami, the "real world" is bilingual.
Here, the goal is to prepare all students
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
16
for a future where one language will not
CHARLES GIBSON: When we come
new study.
be enough. Rebecca Chase, ABC News,
back, risking the future. Teens and
Miami.
gambling - results from an alarming
8. All Things Considered (NPR)
08/03/98Scction: News; Domestic;
California Bilingual Education
California's new bilingual education regulations officially take affect today. A
newly-passed voter initiative, Proposition 227, puts strict limits on the length
of time that children in the state's schools may receive assistance in their
native language. Although most schools won't begin classes until September,
year round schools will have to implement the new law today.
By Linda Wertheimer
ballot initiative that limits bilingual
other in Spanish. Eighty-five percent of
Washington
instruction to one year. This morning,
the students here come from
DC; Mandalit delBarco, Los Angeles,
NPR's Mandalit delBarco visited a
Spanish-speaking homes. But on this
CA
year-round elementary school in Los
first day of school, their classes were
LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: In
Angeles as the changeover began.
conducted in English only.
California, thousands of children began
MANDALIT DELBARCO, NPR
CHILDREN SPEAKING
IN
their school year today under the state's
REPORTER: On the playground at
UNISON: One, two, three, four, five,
stringent new regulation for bilingual
Alexandria Elementary, the kids are
six..
education.
doing what they always do during recess:
In June, California voters passed a
play ball games, giggle, and talk to each
DELBARCO: Most of the Central
preparing for the change. After 30 years
All of those questions have yet to be
American first-graders in Serraya
of instructing students in their native
answered.
Vasquez's (ph) class can already count in
languages, sometimes their entire school
DELBARCO: The Los Angeles
English. But now, when they talk to her
career, bilingual instruction will be
School District is the largest in California
in Spanish, the former bilingual teacher
limited to one school year.
that conducted bilingual classes. Some
responds in English.
Many had predicted chaos. They said
teachers say it's too soon to know exactly
SERRAYA VASQUEZ, BILINGUAL
there wasn't enough time to write new
how the new policy will affect students.
TEACHER: English. Try - try it.
curriculum, no time to order all-English
But already, school is a bit confusing for
STUDENT: Twenty.
textbooks.
six-year-old Aileen (ph).
VASQUEZ: Twenty. There you go.
Carol Labrow (ph) is the principal of
TEACHER: Entiendes (ph), or no?
How 'bout - what if we...
Alexandria Elementary.
SIX-YEAR-OLD AILEEN: No.
DELBARCO:
Now that
CAROL LABROW, PRINCIPAL,
TEACHER: No, entiendes (ph).
Proposition 227 is the law, Vasquez can
ALEXANDRIA ELEMENTARY: Well,
DELBARCO: Aileen says she doesn't
no longer use Spanish as the primary
I don't think there's anything to panic
understand what her teacher is saying.
language of instruction for teaching
from our standpoint. School has opened;
But she hopes that someday she will.
concepts.
school is operating just fine for these
The Oakland, San Francisco, and
VASQUEZ: To be honest, yeah.
boys and girls.
Hayward (ph) school districts have filed
Yeah. It's been hard. Yeah. They don't
The questions will arise as we get
suit challenging Proposition 227. And
really quite follow the (unintelligible) in
further into it. We will need a lot more
individual parents can seek special
English, you know. You have to kind of,
support; because there's a lot of
permits to allow their children to
like, repeat things a lot of times so they
difference between maintaining a very
continue in bilingual classes.
could get it.
superficial kind of level in English and
Mandalit delBarco, NPR News, Los
We'll see what happens. I'll take it day
between getting into some depth and
Angeles.
by day.
whether they're going to learn the content
This is a rush transcript. This copy
DELBARCO: In the past few weeks,
at the grade level, or whether this will
may not be in its final form and may be
teachers and school board members in
simply be a year of English only for
updated.
Los Angeles have been hurriedly
them.
9. All Things Considered (NPR)
08/03/98Section: News; Domestic;
Colorado Bilingual Education
In Denver, the debate over bilingual education has taken a radically different
tack than in California. After complaints by parents, the federal government
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
17
may take the city to court for failing to provide adequate bilingual education.
The city program runs for 3 years, but parents want up to 7 years' instruction
in kids' native languages.
By Robert Siegel
burners - a typical high school science
principal at West High School.
Washington
class. Except in this class the students
ALFONZO HACKAS, ASSISTANT
DC; Aaron Schacter, Denver, CO
are instructed in Spanish.
PRINCIPAL, WEST HIGH SCHOOL:
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: Even as
SOUND
OF
TEACHER
The Denver public schools finally is
Prop 227 goes into effect in California,
INSTRUCTING
AMERICAN
making an effort - always has been, but
the federal office for civil rights is
STUDENTS IN SPANISH
finally has found an understanding of
accusing school officials in Denver of
SCHACTER: This is an example of
what needs to be done so that our
violating the human rights of some
how school officials in Denver believe
students can be successful in their second
students by giving them insufficient
bilingual education should be taught. It's
language.
bilingual education.
part of a three- step approach. Content is
I believe here at West High School we
As Colorado Public Radio's Aaron
given in a native language, most often
do have the ideal program.
Schacter reports, this is the first time the
Spanish.
PAM MARTINEZ (PH), PADRES
federal government has threatened to sue
When a student is ready, he moves on
UNITOS (PH) CO-CHAIRMAN:
a school district because its bilingual
to transitional level courses called
Denver's failing on every front.
education program is not adequate.
sheltered English with classes taught
SCHACTER: Pam Martinez, who
AARON SCHACTER, NPR
mostly in English. And, as language
co-chairs the advocacy group, Padres
REPORTER: In this Biology I class at
skills get better, the child is
Unitos - Parents United - calls Denver
West High School in Denver, ninth and
mainstreamed. School officials expect
public school officials and people like
tenth graders sit perched atop metal
the process to take three years.
Hackas delusional.
stools surrounded by sinks and gas
Alfonzo Hackas (ph) is assistant
MARTINEZ: Denver has never ever
RITA MONTARO (PH), DENVER
INSTRUCTOR:
OK, everybody:
implemented bilingual education or
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER:
Rarely.
anything - any form - of teaching
Absolutely, this district has not served
STUDENTS (in unison): Rarely.
non-English speaking students in an
the children in the way that they should
LU LIN YANG: Rarely.
effective and serious manner.
have. Has the district done something to
STUDENTS (in unison): Rarely.
SCHACTER: Martinez is especially
rectify it? Absolutely. And all you have
LU LIN YANG: OK. Different.
dubious of the district's plan to move kids
to do is take the plan and look at it.
STUDENTS (in unison): Different.
out of bilingual education within three
SCHACTER: But in the last two
LU LIN YANG: What else did you
years. She claims it takes about five to
years, Montaro says, Denver has spent
guys have problems with? Currently.
seven years for students to become truly
more than a hundred thousand dollars on
STUDENTS (in unison): Currently.
proficient in English.
books and supplies. And she says
LU LIN YANG: Straight.
The current flap began about four
qualified bilingual education teachers
STUDENTS (in unison): Straight.
years ago when Padres Unitos presented
have been hired.
LU LIN YANG: Thin.
the federal office of civil rights with more
MONTARO: You have teachers who
STUDENTS (in unison): Thin.
than 20 pages of alleged violations by the
are trained to be able to recognize
LU LIN YANG: Not tin. Thin.
Denver public schools. The Othen did its
problems and issues that a kid of another
STUDENTS (in unison): Thin.
own investigation, finding even more
language may have because teachers
LU LIN YANG: Thin.
infractions.
otherwise didn't know how to recognize
STUDENTS (in unison): Thin.
Among them: they charged that
those problems, don't have any
LU LIN YANG: Through your
Denver had no way of identifying which
background in bilingual education, or the
tongue. Thin.
kids should be in bilingual education, or
issues that are associated with a child of
STUDENTS (in unison): Thin.
when a child was ready to get out.
another language.
LU LIN YANG: OK. That's better.
Again, Pam Martinez.
SCHACTER:
Schools
in
the
OK, you have to remember.
MARTINEZ: Kids get put in there
mile-high city aren't the only ones the
SCHACTER: In Lu Lin Yang's (ph)
who maybe shouldn't be. And kids get
Office for Civil Rights claims is flouting
English classroom at West High School,
stuck in there. And kids get exited who
federal law. Dozens of school districts
the kids all have workbooks, the walls are
are not ready for mainstream. Our
are investigated every year. The
covered with posters of Hispanic
studies show when that happens, they
difference, though, is that Denver is the
achievers, movie stars, authors and
can't succeed in the classroom. They
only district refusing to accept the federal
performers, encouraging students to read
drop out. And we call that being pushed
government's mandate, making it the only
and learn English.
out.
one facing the possibility of a lawsuit or
Nearly all the students in this class
SCHACTER: And Martinez says not
having federal funds revoked.
have been in the United States for less
a thing has changed since the suit was
Teachers and principlas say the game
than four months. Most come from
filed.
Denver school officials
of chicken going on between Denver and
Mexico or South America.
acknowledge the problems. Denver
the feds is overshadowing the real
Some of the students are barely literate
school board member Rita Montaro (ph)
problem: taking kids who don't speak
in their first languages. Lin Yang says
says as late as two years ago, students
English and helping them to succeed.
her class points to the difficulties of
were taught by unqualified teachers
LU LIN YANG (PH), DENVER
teaching bilingual education.
equipped with meager supplies.
PUBLIC SCHOOL BILINGUAL
LIN YANG: You're not going to have
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
18
the highly educated professional people
Yang scramble to teach kids from other
Justice is reviewing the case and is
moving to the states. You're going to
countries, the city, federal government,
expected to decide later this year if it will
have lower-class, the people that can't
and parents are squabbling over what a
take Denver public schools to court.
make it in their own country that are very
bilingual program should look like and
For NPR News, I'm Aaron Schacter in
poor. They're going to come whichever
how long kids should be in it.
Denver.
way they can to the United States to make
No one appears to know the answer;
a better life. And then they bring their
but in Denver, both school officials and
familiy.
the federal office for civil rights claim to
SCHACTER: While people like Lin
have the right idea. The Department of
10. ABCNews.com
August 3, 1998
In California, Proposition 227 Begins This Week: Back
to the Big E for the 3Rs
By Rebecca Leung
imperative
question:
How
will
Association. "They're lost," agrees Jim
ABCNEWS.com
Proposition 227 be applied in
Sweeney, superintendent of the
Aug. 3 - A California initiative
classrooms?
Sacramento City Unified School District.
banning bilingual education formally
"Some teachers are definitely pulling
"I can't remember anything like this."
takes effect this week, and teachers are
their hair out," says Dale Martin, a
struggling to answer an increasingly
spokeswoman for the California Teachers
Proposition 227, sponsored by
native languages. "There's no question it
using her authority to waive most
software millionaire Ron Unz, eliminates
will cause a considerable amount of
education laws for alternative and magnet
bilingual education instruction with its
disruption," said U.S. District Judge
schools.
decree that all children should be taught
Lourdes Baird. "But as far as the
These programs would allow both
"overwhelmingly" in English.
magnitude of the change, the
English and Spanish speakers to learn
The measure, which was approved in
methodology is basically going to be the
some core subjects in their non-native
June by 61 percent of the voters, will
same."
language. The request, still pending, has
require as many as 1.4 million students
From Compliance to Defiance School
given rise to speculation that other
with limited English-speaking ability to
districts such as Sacramento plan to
programs could be exempted this way.
be placed in a one-year
follow the new rules, although some
But supporters of Proposition 227 say
English-immersion course without
administrators believe a year would have
they will be forced to seek legal recourse
instruction in their native tongues.
been a more realistic timetable. But other
if districts try to circumvent the law.
'Considerable Disruption' Civil rights
districts are fighting the change.
"We may have to end up taking a lot
groups tried Friday to block
The Oakland, Hayward and Berkeley
of these districts to court," Unz said. He
implementation with a lawsuit charging
school districts took their challenge to
cited a provision in Proposition 227 that
that the plan was put together too hastily
state court to force the state Board of
allows parents to sue if teachers or other
and lacked adequate teacher training and
Education to grant them exemptions
officials "willfully and repeatedly" refuse
a fully developed curriculum. But a
under the proposition's waiver clause.
to comply with the new law.
federal judge denied them an injunction
Oakland officials argue that they are
But, although teachers know that the
that would have prevented the
bound to provide primary language
passage of the measure will means big
English-only measure from taking effect
instruction under an agreement with the
changes in their classrooms, they're still
today. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, a
Office of Civil Rights.
not sure how much. "Nobody knows,
district judge refused to block the
San Francisco officials sent parents a
and that's the scary part," said bilingual
nation's second-largest school district
letter declaring that-under a 1970s
teacher Mary Rose Ortega, a 21-year
from proceeding with a new teaching
federal consent decree-the district will
veteran of the Los Angeles School
plan aimed at complying with
continue to offer "a variety of programs"
District. "It's all in the air what's going
Proposition 227. The ruling clears the
for English-language learners as well as
to happen."
way for the Los Angeles Unified School
English immersion. And two Orange
The Associated Press contributed to
District to educate its 312,000 students
County districts have asked state Schools
this report.
with limited English proficiency without
Superintendent Delaine Eastin to spare
the benefit of teaching them in their
their "dual immersion" programs by
11. Associated Press
08/03/98
Clinton Warns of Veto To Help Kids
By SONYA ROSS Associated Press
Americans' futures "in the back seat,"
for a summer jobs program and the
CHEVERLY, Md. (AP) - Accusing
President Clinton said Monday he will
education proposals that he wants.
Congress of trying to put young
veto any federal budget that lacks money
The president looked out at a roomful
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
19
of summer workers at Prince George's
said the president is "looking forward to a
a chance to change that pattern."
Hospital Center and said that he, like
pretty good fight" with Congress over
The young workers Clinton met
them, had worked during his breaks from
spending on education and job training,
Monday were taking part in the federal
school in jobs funded by the federal
even if it leads to a veto.
summer jobs effort through the Summer
government - and today he is in the
"He's hoping that the Congress will
Academic Enhancement and Career
White House.
see the light early rather than late," Toiv
Exploration Program run by the Private
"I hope when the history books are
said. "They have deliberately passed a
Industry Council. A spending bill the
written it will look like a pretty good
bill that they know is unacceptable. So
House may consider this week would
investment that was made in a young man
they're the ones creating this issue."
eliminate the $871 million jobs program
from a modest family in a small town a
Clinton also sent a letter to House
and provide less than the president wants
long time ago," Clinton said. "You, too,
Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., urging
for Head Start, tutoring efforts and some
will do great things. And in part, it will
that the House approve a campaign
other school programs. Head Start is an
be because your country has believed in
reform bill proposed by Reps.
early childhood education program for
you and invested in you."
Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Martin
the poor.
House Appropriations spokeswoman
Meehan, D-Mass.
"The House Republican plan puts
Elizabeth Morra called the veto threat
"It would show the American people
politics ahead of people and puts your
"unfortunate," and said Republicans were
that it is possible to make bipartisan
future in the back seat. That is wrong,"
simply "prioritizing spending" and trying
progress on this most difficult of political
Clinton said. "If a bill like the one that is
to stay within the balanced budget
reform issues," Clinton wrote. "A
proposed by the House Republicans
agreements
partisan minority continues to resist
passes, I will veto it."
White House spokesman Barry Toiv
change. The members of the House have
House leaders have said they are
"He spent $9 billion more assuming
working this summer as a patient escort
working to provide funds for such
we'd have tobacco legislation and user
at the hospital, said he now understands
programs in a way they believe to be
fees that never materialized," Morra said.
the demands of work, from adhering to
most effective. House Education
"Both Republicans and Democrats
dress codes to taking his duties seriously.
Committee Chairman Bill Goodling,
wanted that increase for NIH. It was
"There are many things I could be
R-Pa., has promised to propose
really about prioritizing spending."
doing on days like this, things that would
legislation that would consolidate 31
The summer jobs program provides
lead to nothing good," Terence said. "I
education programs and send $800
work for up to 530,000 youths in
had another choice. I didn't have to sit
million directly to public schools.
communities around the country. The
around acting silly all the time like so
Morra, the house Appropriations
Clinton administration argued that
many of my friends. I had people who
spokeswoman, called Clinton's veto
without it, three out of four young people
were pushing me to go further."
threat "unfortunate," saying GOP
now enrolled in the program would be
Among those pushers was Clinton. He
lawmakers tried hard to set spending
unemployed during the summer.
suggested that next summer Terence
priorities within the boundaries of the
He said the program reminded him of
should be given a job with Prince
balanced budget agreement. She said they
two summers during his college years,
George's County Executive Wayne Curry,
felt it better to ensure a $1.2 billion
when he had jobs in his hometown
Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy
increase in funding to the National
helping to maintain a national park and
Townsend - or even at the White
Institutes of Health for medical research
working as a counselor at a camp for
House.
efforts, which Clinton also has
disadvantaged youth.
advocated.
Terence Newton, a 15-year-old who is
12. Christian Science Monitor
August 4, 1998
The Challenge for Schools: Connecting Adults With
Kids
Gail Russell Chaddock,
That is the conclusion of Patricia
in the stark and riveting accounts these
Staff writer
Hersch, whose recent book, "A Tribe
kids give of their lives. In the end, caring
of The Christian Science Monitor
Apart" (Ballantine), takes a close look at
teachers and parents make a difference.
RESTON, VA. - The students
the daily lives of eight teens in the
We meet Jessica Jones (not her real
heading back to school this month will be
picture-book suburb of
name) at 13. Her parents are loving and
among the most tested, measured, and
Reston, Va. "Kids have been growing
attentive, but friends' parents offer access
analyzed in the history of American
up without a substantial adult presence in
to empty bedrooms, drugs, car keys, and
education. They could also be the most
their lives for years, and we're only
liquor. A friend's rape prompts her to
alone.
beginning to see the consequences," she
rethink sneaking around and boozy
As a result, many kids are making
says.
nights. Brandon, a Boy Scout, resents
dangerous choices involving illegal
The book is not another exercise in
coming home to an empty house and
drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence - and
parent-bashing. Nor does it plunk all the
worrying over money after his father's job
their parents rarely have a clue what is
blame on the schools. But both parents
loss. He turns to pushing drugs and
going on.
and educators will find much to ponder
tagging underpasses as a graffiti artist.
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20
Charles's parents are successful black
June.
for 10th-graders, and 15 percent for
professionals, but their achievements
One of the most extensive surveys
8th-graders. More than 1 in 3
can't shield him either from racist slurs or
ever done on drug use, sexuality,
10th-graders reported that they had been
the trash-talking "ghetto boys" at his high
violence, and suicide concludes that
threatened or injured at school during the
school. Joan attempts suicide, and
young people who feel connected to their
previous year, according to a recent
Jonathan succeeds.
parents and schools are less likely to
survey by the Washington-based National
It's a tough world these kids describe,
engage in high-risk behavior, he added.
Education Goals Panel. Adding to a sense
and more threatening than its tree-lined
A rise in high-risk behavior
of urgency in this debate are recent
streets would suggest. The message that
For now, many trends are headed in
schoolyard killings in Springfield, Ore.,
comes through speaks to what is
the wrong direction. High-risk behavior
Edinboro, Pa., Jonesboro, Ark., West
becoming the heart of the education
for kids is up in the 1990s, and it's
Paducah, Ky., and Pearl, Miss.
debate in the United States: how to
moving into ever-younger grades,
As schools gear up to reopen this
reconnect with children.
according to a study released by the
month, many districts are adding metal
"I am troubled by the fact that so many
National Center for Education Statistics
detectors, more police, safety audits, and
young people in America are growing up
last month.
early-warning guides for teachers to
disconnected. They are growing up
The percentage of students reporting
ensure safer schools. But the cornerstone
almost alone," said Education Secretary
illicit drug use, for example, increased
of this effort must be reestablishing ties
Richard Riley at the Safe and Drug Free
substantially between 1992 and 1996 up
with students, educators say.
Schools Conference in Washington last
to 26 percent for 12th-graders, 23 percent
"We must commit ourselves to one
want to meet me," she says.) Eventually,
make good choices," he says.
very basic idea: that every child in
she narrowed the focus to eight, and
There are practical steps schools can
America in a school has a positive and
spent three years talking to them.
take to close down that window of
caring relationship with at least one adult.
"Many parents start to think that it's
isolation, such as a later start to the
This simply has to be the new standard
OK to leave a good kid at home for a
school day so that stretches from 2:20
we set for our nation's schools and
while at about age 10, as long as you say
p.m. until parents return from work isn't
communities," says Education Secretary
'Don't go out of the house after school
such a looming block of time, he says.
Riley.
until we get home.' But nobody has
Making time to listen
A work-at-home mother, Ms. Hersch
considered what it means to have eight
In Alexandria, Va., Riley and Attorney
says she began to develop ideas for "A
years of huge blocks of time without
General Janet Reno met recently with
Tribe Apart" when she realized that she
meaningful adult interaction," says
students about safety at T.C. Williams
was one of the few adults in the
Hersch, who raised three sons in Reston.
High School. Students spoke of the need
neighborhood when kids came home
"Things are worse now for my younger
to listen. "I have lots of friends who get
from school. "I ended up driving kids
son than for my older sons: The vacuum
into trouble in school, and I ask them,
everywhere, and I began listening to what
surrounding kids has gotten deeper and
'What did your parents say?' and they tell
they talked about in the car," she says.
more extensive," she adds.
me that they were too busy or didn't
One conversation particularly moved
Her study does not claim to be
care," says Mohamed El-Hassan, whose
her: "I once asked a 15-year-old girl what
scientific. The children's accounts are not
family moved from Sudan five years ago.
she did after school, and she said, 'I go
tested for accuracy, and the parents and
"Some parents work two or three jobs,
home. I have a snack, talk on the
teachers who come under the severest
and they really don't have any choice," he
telephone to my friends, do some
criticism are not afforded equal time.
adds. "But I can talk to my dad about
chores I guess you could say
In Reston, Stuart Gibson is urging
anything, even though he works two
sometimes it's really lonely.'
colleagues on the Fairfax County School
jobs."
She began research for the book by
Board to take the Hersch book and these
Many credited the school's crisis
spending a year observing classes every
issues seriously. "The message of this
coordinator, Barbara Finney, with
day at a local middle school. She
book is counterintuitive: We always
helping them. "If kids see that you don't
contacted the parents of 60 kids for
thought that when our kids got older,
have time for them, they move on or just
permission to talk to their children. ("I
they needed less attention, less care. But
put you in the category of all the other
worried about how easily some parents
as kids have more choices, parents need
adults who didn't have time for them,"
granted permission - some didn't even
to exercise more responsibility that they
she says in an interview.
13. Christian Science Monitor
August 4, 1998
Tackling the SAT? Test-Prep Help Abounds
WASHINGTON - For high school
that slide into home computers are
takers tackling the Scholastic Assessment
students, it's an academic challenge
flooding the market.
Test and American College Testing
dreaded more than reading the English
With colorful graphics, cartoon
program exam each year.
epic poem Beowulf: The SAT and ACT
figures, personalized practice tests, and
Students preparing for the tests can
college-entrance tests.
test-taking strategies, the computerized
find free help on the World Wide Web.
But put away the pencils and grab a
products - as well as commercial prep
They can buy prep books, mostly priced
computer mouse. Test-preparation
classes and private tutors - appeal to
between $10 and $30. There are
programs on the Internet and CD-ROMs
many of the more than 3 million test
CD-ROM disks for personal computers,
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21
selling for around $20 to $50. Coaching
free materials and determine whether
to work on," he says.
classes cost from $60 for a high school
their preliminary college-entrance test
Bob Schaeffer of the National Center
English teacher doing test-prep on the
score will be adequate to obtain
for Fair and Open Testing in Cambridge,
side to more than $500 or $600 for
admission from the college they've
Mass., advises students who prepare on
classes from national commercial
chosen.
their computers to sharpen a No. 2
companies. Some parents spend
To get a preview of the ACT, Paul
pencil, sit down at a desk, and take a
thousands of dollars for private sessions,
Silva, a senior at Ponderosa High School
practice exam, methodically coloring in
including some offered at well-to-do
in Parker, Colo., loads a CD-ROM, sold
the tiny ovals, or bubbles, on the answer
vacation spots like Martha's Vineyard, off
by Kaplan Educational Centers, into his
sheet. "A very common mistake is
the Massachusetts coast.
computer. "You put in the CD. It's like
mis-bubbling - skipping a question, but
Educators caution that not all students
you're driving a car and you have a road
not skipping a line on the answer sheet,"
need to invest in test-prep software or
map to the ACT. After you take the
Schaeffer says. "You can't get that
classes. They advise students to check out
pretest, it tells you what areas you need
practice with a mouse.
14. Christian Science Monitor
August 4, 1998
Summer and Basic Skills
Amelia Newcomb,
high-poverty and middle-class students at
in human development and psychology at
Staff writer
the end of elementary school.
the Harvard Graduate School of
of The Christian Science Monitor
More-advantaged kids moved steadily
Education in Cambridge, Mass., makes a
BOSTON - Here's an easy quiz:
ahead over the years, while high-poverty
key point: If adults show interest, kids
When do children achieve more
children barely budged. The problem, the
typically will as well. If you both liked
academically, during the summer or the
study stated, lay almost completely at the
the movie "Contact," for example, read
school year?
feet of differing summer experiences.
the book (by Carl Sagan) aloud. Try to
Most everyone knows the answer. It's
Two other studies found that while
find someone, or a university, who has a
one of the reasons parents may indulge in
high-poverty first-graders moved ahead
telescope you can check out. Do the
a mental tug-of-war between wanting
more quickly than their peers in reading,
shopping together, making a game out of
offspring to experience that American
their progress slowed more than that of
reading labels and sorting items. Borrow
ideal - the content-free summer - and
their peers over the following summer
library passes to museums.
taking a second look at summer-school
and did not pick up again in second
The United States Department of
classes. Exchange the September routine
grade.
Education also is chipping in to help. Its
for more TV and little in the way of
Most kids lose some academic skills
"Summer Challenge in
reading, after all, and the most common
over the summer. But those from
Read*Write*Now!" program encourages
warm-weather lesson becomes one in
more-prosperous homes often get camp,
children to read 20 minutes and write 10
how to backpedal.
summer classes, or most important, many
minutes each day. Partners meet with
Now, you could argue that a little
informal learning, playing, and reading
children once or twice a week. The
nose-to-the-grindstone after Labor Day
opportunities to keep them on track.
department provides activity books,
will get students back on track. But
A number of urban systems are
including "summer home recipes" in
there's more at stake. Summer is not only
requiring more summer classes for
reading, math, and history (Contact
when skills may slide, but also when gaps
students who have fallen behind a move
1-800-USA LEARN or www.ed.gov).
in academic growth widen between
that is often popular with inner-city
The department also has materials for
children of different social and economic
parents and the kids themselves, in part
preschool kids.
backgrounds sometimes creating
because it keeps them safe and with other
No question - kids deserve a summer
long-term barriers to success in school.
children. But experts say that some
break. But that doesn't mean some fun
The research is sobering. A recent
informal (and free) efforts can make a
that slips in a few learning tips is a bad
study looked at the difference in reading
difference as well.
idea.
comprehension
skills
between
Janine Bempechat, assistant professor
15. Associated Press
08/03/98
Reno Urges Laws on Kids and Guns
By LAURIE ASSEO Associated Press
United States who disagree with the
requiring gun owners to store their
TORONTO (AP) - Attorney General
proposition that no one should possess a
weapons securely so that children cannot
Janet Reno told the largest U.S. lawyers'
gun unless they know how to safely and
get access to them," she added.
organization Monday that more must be
lawfully use it, and evidence a
Pointing to the recent fatal shootings
done to keep guns away from children
willingness and capacity to do so," Reno
inside the U.S. Capitol and killings at a
and help end a national "culture of
told the American Bar Association's
number of schools around the country,
violence."
policy-making House of Delegates.
the attorney general said gun-related
"There can be very few people in the
"States must enact and enforce laws
violence is a major threat to Americans'
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22
safety. While Toronto had only 100 gun
and deaths influenced by others must
bottom line is that lawyers can change
killings from 1992 through 1996,
clearly continue to be a national priority,"
our country's attitude about guns
We
Chicago - a similar-sized U.S. city - had
the attorney general said.
can end the culture of violence in this
3,063 gun homicides during that same
She called for federal, state and local
nation."
period.
efforts to enforce gun laws and carry out
On July 21, the Senate rejected a bill
Every day in the United States, about
prevention programs.
to require all handguns sold in the United
100 people die from gun- related injuries,
"We need to teach these young people
States include safety locks designed to
she said.
that guns kill and maim for life that
prevent accidents.
"Thus, reducing the number of injuries
guns really do kill," Reno said. "The
The ABA's House of Delegates passed
efforts to deal with school gun violence,
to head off disputes and stronger laws to
a resolution Monday seeking stronger
including firearms education, mediation
keep guns away from young people.
16. Associated Press
08/03/98
MIT Requires Online Applications
By ROBIN ESTRIN Associated Press
Admission Counseling.
online Aug. 1.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Students
By wiping out paper applications,
Participating institutions pay $5,500 a
aspiring to attend one of the country's
MIT says it will save thousands of dollars
year for the administrative Web site
most prestigious business schools can say
in processing, printing and postage costs
software. Students pay a $12 processing
farewell to one well-known ritual: the
- plus hundreds of hours of staff time.
fee for each application.
frantic, down-to-the-wire trip to mail an
Using a new Internet site started by
Only MIT is so far telling its future
application by the deadline.
the folks who sponsor the Graduate
MBAs to forget about applying if they
Beginning this month, MIT's Sloan
Management Admission Test - the
can't go online. But exemptions will be
School of Management will accept
standardized exam for business school
considered in the first year of the new
applications only via computer -
admission - applicants can fill out the
plan.
apparently becoming the nation's first
required Sloan School forms, pay the
Experts said it's unlikely many
graduate or undergraduate school to
application fees and arrange to have their
undergraduate schools will require only
adopt such a policy.
GMAT scores sent to the university in
online applications anytime soon. After
Plenty of the nation's 3,400 colleges
one electronic package.
all, it's elitist to assume that every
and universities have been experimenting
The only items that can't be
applicant has computer access, said
with electronic applications, using them
electronically mailed - at least, not yet
Timothy J. McDonough, a spokesman for
as an admission option for the
are college transcripts and outside
the American Council on Education,
computer-savvy. But the class that will
recommendations.
which represents 1,800 colleges and
enter Massachusetts Institute of
About two dozen other business
universities nationwide.
Technology's graduate business school in
schools, including Harvard, Columbia,
And Sloan is making no changes in
September 1999 is charting new territory.
Dartmouth, Northwestern, the University
the back end of the process: Officials
"I don't know of anybody who's gone
of Texas, Tulane, Michigan State and the
there still plan to send acceptance and
100 percent that way," said Mark Milroy,
University of California-Davis, will
rejection letters the old-fashioned way.
chief officer of programs and services
accept electronic applications through the
with the National Association for College
GradAdvantage Web site, which went
17. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 12, Column 1
Students Abroad Find A Wealth of Choices, And Even
Bargains
By Robert D. Hershey Jr.
vast array of places and subjects from
who lives in Washington and has three
A generation ago, American collegians
which to choose.
college-age children.
going abroad were typically well-bred
And students have no need for
Nissa Petersen spent the 1997-1998
women with rich or indulgent parents,
investment-banker lineage. In fact, they
academic year studying sociology at
students whose commitment to mastering
may save money by spending a semester
University College in Cork, Ireland. The
the pluperfect sometimes wavered before
or two abroad - perhaps as much as 50
cost, including housing and one-way air
the myriad enticements of Paris or
percent off the cost of a private American
fare but not meals, came to $15,200 -
Madrid.
college, which can range from $20,000 to
not inexpensive but significantly less
While distractions remain, foreign
more than $30,000 a year.
than the $20,000 or so she would have
study these days is a far different
"I don't know any country that has
paid to Salem College in Winston-Salem,
proposition. No longer confined largely
colleges as expensive as here," said Paulo
N.C., where she was enrolled back home.
to language courses, study abroad offers a
Sotero Marques, a Brazilian journalist
"I was pleasantly surprised," said
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23
Virginia Petersen, Nissa's mother. "I
For her part, Nissa Petersen said the
gallivanting around at my parents'
thought it would end up costing more."
savings gave her the sense "that I wasn't
expense."
Heidi Janes, 18, of Chevy Chase, Md.,
placement bureaus that have made a
those of Irish descent, because of the
who spent her freshman year at Reed
business of linking American students
sizable Irish-speaking community and its
College in Portland, Ore., heads off this
with appropriate courses in foreign
idyllic, west-country bayside location.
month to Capital Normal University in
institutions. One is the Institute for Study
(The cost is $8,700 for the fall semester,
China. She needed to stretch her
Abroad at Butler University in
$15,200 for a full year, including lodging
resources, since her parents had set aside
Indianapolis; the other is Beaver College
and one-way air fare but not meals.)
a specified amount for her education. She
in Glenside, Pa., a suburb of
Other highly regarded places are
looked to China for a bargain year
Philadelphia. The broker, who takes care
University College in Cork, which
expected to cost $7,500, including room
of all arrangements and continuing
specializes in Irish studies and music, and
and board, far less than the $28,000 she
supervision, is paid a fee that varies by
the Institute of Public Administration,
would have paid to stay in Portland. "She
place and situation and is built into the
where students work as unpaid aides to
believed she had to do something like
total cost quoted.
members of Parliament.
this to be able to graduate from Reed,"
Students seeking the widest options
Beaver College Center for Education
Heidi's mother, Elizabeth, said.
may want to consult one or more of the
Abroad, 450 South Easton Road,
Adding to the possible savings is the
standard references published by the
Glenside, Pa. 19038; (888) 232-8379
fact that students can sometimes apply
Institute of International Education in
(www. beaver.edu/cea/).
their financial aid to foreign studies.
New York (Web site: www.iie.org).
Rutgers University has a junior-year
While state aid and grants and
These include "Academic Year Abroad"
program for study at one of 10 English
scholarships from the home college
($44.95), "Vacation Study Abroad"
and Scottish universities that students are
cannot always be applied, Federal aid
($39.95) and "Financial Resources for
assigned to after they are accepted into
like Stafford loans and Pell grants can; in
International Study" ($39.95). A free
the program. Students from other
fact, it's a requirement.
pamphlet called "Basic Facts on Study
colleges and universities get secondary
But no matter how much less a foreign
Abroad" is also available. All can be
consideration. Costs range from $14,280
program appears to cost, students need to
ordered by writing to I.I.E. Books, P.O.
a year for New Jersey residents to attend
check whether they still have to pay their
Box 371, Annapolis Junction, Md.
the Universities of Bristol and Sussex to
school at home the full domestic tuition.
20701; by calling (800) 445-0443, or by
a high of $21,370 for students from other
Among the increasing number that do are
connecting to the institute's on-line
states who attend University College
Wesleyan and Columbia Universities,
catalogue (www.iiebooks.org). Another
London. The prices do not include room,
Swarthmore College, the University of
useful reference is "Peterson's Study
board or air fare.
Pennsylvania and, beginning in the
Abroad" ($29.95), from Peterson's, P.O.
The other universities are those of
2000-2001 academic year, Smith
Box 2123, Princeton, N.J. 08543; (800)
Exeter, Manchester, Reading, York,
College.
338-3282 (www.petersons.com).
Glasgow and St. Andrews and City
Some institutions are "shutting the
Of course, students study abroad for
University in London.
doors," said William Hoffa, a
reasons that transcend finances: to
Rutgers Study Abroad Office, 102
foreign-study consultant in Amherst,
expand their cultural horizons, and their
College Ave., New Bruns-wick, N.J.
Mass. "The new compact is, 'You owe us
resume. The following choices meet
08903;
(732)
932-7787
eight semesters worth of tuition,
those criteria, but also are regarded as
(www.rutgers.edu/academics/study/uabro.
regardless."
good value.
ad/sao.html).
Students do tend to remain enrolled in
Britain and Ireland
Germany
a college or university at home while
Studying in foreign countries is not a
Germany has some of the biggest
studying abroad, and American schools
guaranteed bargain. London and other
potential bargains because all its
generally grant full credit for their
major cities in Western Europe can be
institutions of higher education are
foreign study. But because methods of
expensive. But Britain is still the most
government-financed. Under an
evaluation vary widely by country, grades
popular choice for Americans, attracting
increasingly rare policy, as more
are normally disregarded in calculating
more than 25 percent of those going
countries end or sharply limit subsidies
grade-point averages.
abroad, and it offers a wealth of
for noncitizens, foreigners are not
More than 80 percent of students
programs.
charged tuition.
enrolling in foreign-study programs do so
Beaver College, which places the most
As might be expected, however, this
through their own schools or other
American students in Britain, deals with
policy has led to an emphasis on
American colleges. They can also apply
28 universities there, including
one-for-one exchanges between
on their own directly to foreign
University College London, known for its
American and German students, making
universities, taking a route that is
economics department ($19,900 for the
arrangements more difficult. A good
becoming somewhat more popular,
full year, including housing but not
source of information on scholarships,
largely because it is the least expensive
meals). City University in London offers
visas and other foreign-study matters is
option. But undergraduates don't always
a popular program in which students
the New York office of the German
have this choice. Some colleges will not
attend classes two days a week and intern
Academic Exchange Service, 950 Third
let their students go independently and
three days a week in places like the
Ave., New York 10022; (212) 758-3223
still have the work blessed with
London Zoo and Parliament ($18,000 a
(www.daad.org).
home-school credit.
year, including housing but not meals).
One seasoned American operator, the
With hundreds of foreign-study
Beaver also places students in Ireland.
Institute for the International Education
programs, finding the right one often
University College Galway exerts the
of Students in Chicago, has setup its own
involves one of the two dominant
strongest pull on Americans, especially
programs instead of brokering students.
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24
One is in Berlin ($9,000 a semester,
Union, costs $8,400 for the semester,
St., Chicago, III. 60610; (800) 995-2300
$16,200 for a full year, including lodging
including lodging but not meals.
(www.iesabroad.org).
but not meals), and two are in Freiburg.
Institute for the International
One Freiburg program, on the European
Education of Students, 223 WestOhio
The University of Maryland
graduate/florence.html).
center for high technology.
University College runs sizable German
Central and South America
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
programs, mostly for the military, but it
The University of Costa Rica attracts
Office of Academic Affairs, 11 East 69th
also offers one in Schwabisch Gmund for
students interested in the rain forest and
St., New York 10021; (800) 404-8622
civilians planning careers in international
other environmental subjects; a brochure
(www2.huji.ac.il/www/usfos/top.html)
business. This English-language
mentions the country's 800 varieties of
Tel Aviv University, Office of Academic
curriculum costs $11,000 a year for
butterflies. The university has become
Affairs, 360 Lexington Ave., New York
Marylanders and $16,000 for
such a magnet for foreigners that some
10017; (800) 665-9828. Bar-Ilan
nonresidents, including room and board.
students have complained about a lack of
University, Office of Academic Affairs,
U.M.U.C. International Programs,
connection to the local populace.
91 Fifth Ave., Suite 200, New York
University Boulevard at Adelphi Road,
The University of Kansas sponsors a
10003; (888) 248-9327. Ben-Gurion
College Park, Md. 20742; (301)
highly regarded program that costs only
University, Center for International
985-7442
(www.
$5,300 a semester, $4,300 for those
Student Programs, 342 Madison Ave.,
umuc.edu/internat/germany.html).
enrolled at the Kansas school. This price
Suite 1224, New York 10173; (800)
Italy
covers everything but transportation and
962-2248
(www.bgu.ac.il/osp/).
Florence, not Rome, is the most
includes intense Spanish-language study.
University of Haifa, Overseas Student
popular Italian destination for American
Office of Study Abroad, University of
Programs, 352 Seventh Ave., New York
students, with Georgetown University,
Kansas, 108W Lippincott, Lawrence,
10001;
(800)
334-0755
Smith College and Sarah Lawrence
Kan.
66045;
(785)
864-3742
(www.haifa.ac.il).
College offering programs of some
(www.ukans.edu/osa/).
An intriguing new Arab-studies
renown. But the program that educators
The University of Illinois leads an
program is being offered this fall in Sana,
usually mention first is run by Syracuse
American consortium that expects to
capital of newly unified Yemen in the
University, which for more than 30 years
place 70 students in one or more of three
southwestern corner of the Arabian
has been a sizable presence with its own
top institutions in Buenos Aires this fall.
peninsula, along ancient trade routes for
campus in this arts capital, a virtual
The three are the University of Buenos
spices and luxury goods. The 10-week
museum without walls. Art history and
Aires, still a center of political ferment
program consists of Arabic and two other
architecture are the chief subjects of
but not as strike-prone as it used to be;
courses: one on the country's 5,000-year
study for the American contingent
the Catholic University of Salvador, and
history, the other on its current political
strong last semester.
Torcuato Di Tella University, which has
science. Study of Arabic is recommended
This program is unlikely to be a
rigorous economics and business
before starting the program, but it is not
money-saver, though, because Syracuse
programs.
required. Registration is through Portland
charges the same amount, about $13,000
"This isn't a fun-in-the-sun type of
State University in Oregon, which has
a semester, that students pay at its
program," said Joan Solaun,
more than 30 years of experience in the
campus in New York State. The price
foreign-study director at the University of
Middle East. The Yemeni program costs
includes housing, some meals and
Illinois, noting that the program requires
$5,500, which covers tuition, lodging and
one-way air fare. Students who join the
two weeks of orientation at an Andes
at least one meal a day.
program from higher-priced universities
retreat. Tuition, room and board come to
Study Abroad, Portland State
might find Florence cheaper than, say,
$7,985 a semester.
University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, Ore.
Yale or Princeton, but even as a financial
Study Abroad, University of Illinois,
97207;
(503)
725-8246
wash, the sunny seat of the Medicis is
115 International Studies Building, 910
(www.oaa.pdx.edu/International
hard to resist.
South Fifth St., Champaign, III. 61820;
/InternationalEd/studyabroad).
Division of International Programs
(217)
333-6322
Australia
Abroad, Syracuse University, 119 Euclid
(www.uiuc.edu/providers/ ips/sao/).
Sydney, host to the Olympic Games in
Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13244; (800)
The Middle East
2000, is becoming a highly popular
235-3472 (sum web.syr.edu/dipa).
Israel offers many choices for foreign
destination for American students. In size
Fairfield University, a Jesuit
students. Its five principal universities
and breadth of curricula, institutions like
institution in Connecticut, offers two
have formed a consortium to coordinate
the University of Sydney and the
monthlong summer programs and
efforts, but each maintains individual
University of New South Wales are
one-semester and full-year programs.
admissions requirements and sets its own
similar to state-financed universities in
Cris Bowers, Florence Program
price, although costs for each are around
the United States. The cost is $11,500 to
Assistant, Fairfield University, Dolan
$10,000 a year for tuition and housing.
$12,000 a semester, including housing
House, Fairfield, Conn. 06430; (203)
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and
and air fare, but not meals. The first
254-4220
(www.fairfield.
Tel Aviv University are the most popular
semester runs from February to June and
edu/sce/index.htm).
choices of American students. Bar-Ilan
the second from July to November.
New York University has begun
University, in a Tel Aviv suburb,
A student must take a full course load
offering a year in Florence for freshmen.
concentrates on Jewish heritage;
to qualify for a student visa, and a
New York University Study Abroad
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in
guidebook cautions that foreign students
Admissions, 7 East 12th St., Room 608,
Beersheba offers a desert experience, and
are sometimes "surprised at the workload
New York 10003; (212) 998-4433 (www.
the University of Haifa exploits its
required of them."
nyu.edu/studyabroad/under
location in a cosmopolitan port city and
Butler is the main broker for
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25
Australian study. But students can save
Institute for Study Abroad, Butler
Sydney,
NSW
Australia
2006;
money by enrolling directly at, say, the
University,
4600
Sunset
Ave.,
61-2-9351-5841
University of Sydney, paying about
Indianapolis, Ind. 46208; (800)
(www.usyd.edu.au/su/io).
$6,675 a semester for tuition, room and
858-0229, (www.butler.edu/ www/isa).
ART Drawings
meals.
Study Abroad Adviser, University of
18. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 28, Column I
Why Johnny's Doing Calculus: The Booming Education
Industry
By Jim Yardley
the country, with more than 124,000
young children can be cleanly assessed
In late May four teachers and
students registered last year. Huntington
and categorized. However good their
administrators, sitting solemnly behind a
is also expanding, from 112 centers in
intentions, they say, parents and schools
table at the office of a top Manhattan
1995 to a planned 200 by the end of this
must be careful not to place unrealistic
public school, delivered the bad news to
year.
expectations on young children, and they
Elizabeth and Antonio Trindade. Their
"The message we get from parents is
caution that learning is not a
son, Lorenzo, could not keep up. He
not so much that they're frustrated with
one-size-fits-all commodity.
needed to be placed in special education
schools, but that they're frustrated with
"There's a magic bullet for everything
classes at a smaller school.
their child's performance," said Ray
now," said Gail Furman, a Manhattan
Ms. Trindade listened with disbelief.
Huntington, who with his wife, Eileen,
child psychologist who works with
The future she had imagined for her child
founded the first Huntington Learning
several private schools. "If you're
- a competitive high school, maybe an
Center in Oradell, N.J., in 1977.
depressed, you take Prozac. If you're
Ivy League university - was
"Originally, we were the last choice.
impotent, you take Viagra. If you have a
disintegrating.
Today, we are increasingly the first
learning problem, you get tutored, get
In the not-too-distant past, this sort of
choice."
tested and you think it will all get better.
conference might have occurred in
There is so much educational software
But that's not always true."
Lorenzo's eighth year of school, or even
that stores cannot come close to stocking
Young children, Dr. Furman noted,
as early as the fourth grade. But Lorenzo
it all. About three new titles arrive on the
develop differently. Some may excel in
was 6 years old. He was failing
market every day, all aspiring to become
early grades; others may take longer to
kindergarten.
the next "Rabbit Reader" or "Jumpstart."
bloom. One child with early reading or
"They could kill my son," Ms.
Last year, sales of educational software
handwriting problems may be incredibly
Trindade said of the school officials.
topped $511 million.
creative; another who achieves early may
So she responded as if Lorenzo had
The hottest sellers are for children in
simply be more mature and better
been diagnosed with a fatal disease: she
preschool through third grade, and the
organized. The second child may be
went looking for a second opinion. After
target group seems to be getting only
identified early as a high achiever - and
that meeting, she arranged appointments
younger: the new "Jumpstart Baby" is for
then end up struggling later as school
with a child psychologist and a
babies 9 to 18 months old.
subjects become more complex.
pediatrician. And then she took Lorenzo
"I say there will soon be electrodes
"You then make these kids 'labeled'
to a Huntington Learning Center, one of
they will hook up to a woman's stomach
and 'identified,' and what happens is they
the for-profit tutorial and educational
that will be educational," said Ann
become more and more defensive and
centers that are becoming increasingly
Stephens, president of PC Data, which
self-conscious about learning," Dr.
common in cities and suburbs.
tracks software sales. "What's next?
Furman said.
In doing this, Ms. Trindade joined
'Jumpstart Fetus"?"
In Manhattan, though, the intense
thousands of other parents across the
Probably not. But parental anxiety
competition for admittance into top
country who are plunging into the vast
over education and future success
elementary schools, public and private,
world of "supplemental education," of
certainly helps explain some books, like
often hinges on early assessments.
which chains like Huntington, Sylvan
"Career Coaching Your Kids, for Ages 6
Private tutors charge up to $150 an hour
and Score! make up only a part. In the
to 26. The volume of materials hasn't
on the Upper East Side to help students
past five years, an enormous educational
necessarily made for more clarity:
meet, or get ahead of, their workloads.
industry has taken off to meet the needs
Different books and tutoring programs
In her own practice, Dr. Furman says
and demands of parents who are either
often espouse contradictory advice, like
she sees many examples of children who
frustrated with schools, or fearful that
using the phonics or whole-language
she believes are inappropriately labeled
their children will fall behind in an
approaches - or neither - to help
as slow learners by schools. She is now
increasingly competitive world.
children learn to read. Some child
counseling a 6-year-old girl in
The amount of products and services
development experts note, meanwhile,
kindergarten whose parents want her to
- how-to books, software titles, learning
that many "new approaches" on the
attend an elite elementary school. In one
centers, private tutoring programs - is
market are merely repackaged old
sample of her work, the child has written,
stunning. Since 1991, Sylvan, one of the
maxims like drills and memorization.
"Ples Do Not Tush, Thik you." She
first chains of storefront learning centers,
What also concerns many
scored well on I.Q. tests, but has not yet
has grown from 466 to 700 outlets across
development experts is the notion that
grasped spelling and reading. "This child
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26
has been identified as a youngster with
said. "Her parents have been advised to
that she may not be a candidate for the
severe learning problems," Dr. Furman
get outside tutoring and counseling. and
school."
Parents wait up to a year to take their
the Iowa Skills Test and the California
"Ifl get 100 calls a month, 60 percent
children to Dr. Mel Levine, director of
Achievement Test, according to company
of them are from parents who are really
the Center for Development and Learning
officials.
poor," Ms. Briggs said. "The first thing
at the University of North Carolina
Paradoxically, many assessment
they ask is do we have financial aid. It's
School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. The
specialists - like child psychologists,
unbelievably heartbreaking." She said
author of several highly regarded books
developmental pediatricians and
currently she has five lower-income
on child development, Dr. Levine agrees
educational diagnosticians - are
students being tutored for free.
with Dr. Furman that early assessments
struggling to stay in business, because
Ms. Briggs emphasized that learning
can lead to premature conclusions, except
relatively few parents can afford the
centers are not designed for students with
where a child has severe problems.
hundreds of dollars needed to pay for a
problems like dyslexia or other learning
But, he said, parents are right to be
comprehensive evaluation, and insurance
disabilities. Instead, they best serve
concerned if a fourth grader is still
usually does not cover it.
students who, for one reason or another,
struggling to read, or if a sixth grader
Such specialized assessment can
are not reaching their potential.
resists writing or doing homework. Such
include a battery of medical and
At Huntington, incoming students
a child could have subtle motor
diagnostic tests. Lawrence Green, a
undergo two to three hours of diagnostic
problems, memory problems or difficulty
retired educational therapist and
and achievement testing to determine
in organizing ideas, he said.
diagnostician who lives near San Jose,
reading level, to measure phonetic
Because he considers learning
Calif., said only specialists can properly
ability, to assess ability to recall
disorders to be an "epidemic," Dr. Levine
assess complicated, underlying learning
information and to pinpoint learning
credited private learning centers with
weaknesses that often go undetected in
strengths and weaknesses. In one test, the
providing strong remedial tutoring in
quick diagnostic assessments.
Slosson Visual-Motor Performance Test,
basic skill subjects like reading and math.
"The parent is faced with all these
a child is shown 14 different shapes and
But he said parents should not believe
options and they have limited resources,"
asked to perform tasks; for example, to
these programs are reinventing the
said Mr. Green, whose book, "Finding
"draw a straight line inside the rectangle."
educational wheel.
Help When Your Child Is Struggling in
Ms. Briggs said this test helps establish
"A lot of these programs portray
School," will be published later this
whether a child can process visual
themselves as being on the cutting edge,
summer by Golden Books. "What they
information properly.
but they're doing things that are very
know is: 'I have a child who is bright and
She said her tutors - all of them
traditional," he said, adding that much of
capable, but he is not working at a level
certified teachers - do not adhere to any
what is offered is old-fashioned repetitive
commensurate with his ability. So what
particular educational philosophy. If they
drilling.
can I do?'
think phonics will work, fine. If it is
A conflict of interest can exist, Dr.
Experts worry that lower-income
whole-word reading, fine. The
Levine said, when centers that offer
children, many of whom would greatly
educational director, Robert Golden, says
tutoring also sell child-assessment
benefit from extra help, are far less likely
four of five students show improvement
services. "You come in, and you get
to get it, pushing them even further
after several months.
assessed, and they say, 'Well, we just
behind academically. Educational
"It's about going to a child's
happen to have exactly what you need,'"
software begins at around $30. And most
weaknesses and helping them survive
he said. "It would be better to separate
poor families don't have home computers
with that weakness," Ms. Briggs said.
assessment and treatment."
in any case. One session at a learning
Just the promise of individualized
Vickie Glazar, a Sylvan
center, meanwhile, can cost $55 to $75
attention is why so many parents turn to
spokeswoman, noted that Sylvan uses the
an hour, depending on the child's age and
help outside their children's schools.
respected California Achievement Test to
skill level, and the centers suggest three
"It doesn't matter how good or bad the
make its assessments; Huntington uses a
hours a week - putting the price beyond
school system is," said Gary Natriello, a
combination of tests, including parts of
the reach of many middle-class families
professor at Columbia University's
the California test.
as well.
Teachers College, who took his own son
But another potential area for conflicts
"The learning centers work, obviously,
to Sylvan. "They're organized to produce
of interest can come from "co-branding."
with kids who have money," said
bunches of kids. They're just not
In one example, Sylvan and the software
Deborah Briggs, who owns two
organized to really address the needs of
company Virtual Knowledge have a
Huntington franchises in Manhattan.
particular kids. They're not organized to
relationship in which children who take
In response, a small number of public
help a kid catch up."
Virtual Knowledge's "Children's Skills
school systems, using Federal grants,
On the surface, chains like Sylvan and
Test" assessment software are nudged
have contracted with Sylvan to operate
Huntington may seem as similar as
toward Sylvan for help.
tutoring centers in disadvantaged schools.
McDonald's is to Burger King. Both use
Though Dr. Levine has not seen that
And there are nonprofit programs
a ratio of one tutor per three pupils and
test, he cautioned parents about placing
sprinkled across the country. The
both have similar hourly rates. But
too much weight on findings from any
Readnet Foundation operates programs in
Sylvan offers an incentive plan in which
generalized, at-home computer
five upper Manhattan schools, using
students can earn points toward winning
assessments. In many ways, this
computers and specially designed
a prize, such as a skateboard; Huntington
assessment is a descendant of the old
software to provide intensive reading
considers rewards to be the wrong
at-home I.Q. tests. Designed to be "fun"
support and tutoring for underprivileged
message. Sylvan guarantees that a
and not intimidating to children, the
children. But these programs are the
student's reading skills will jump at least
at-home assessment software is based on
exceptions.
one reading level after 36 hours of
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27
tutelage; Huntington doesn't make
guarantees.
Some independent learning centers or
software learning games.
her son. Huntington determined that
private tutorial services offer even more
"There's nothing to say that just
Lorenzo was, in fact, in need of tutoring
individual attention. K.C. Genzamer, a
because something is fun, it isn't
and recommended three hours a week at
Manhattan tutor who charges $90 an hour
educational," Ms. Shohet said.
$225. Ms. Trindade could not afford it.
and works with children ages 3 to 14,
But even educators involved with
She is a personal trainer who runs her
offers a weekend study hall at her
software worry that some products
own business; her husband is a personal
apartment so students can drop by to
labeled as educational are merely thinly
trainer for a health club.
work on homework.
veiled video games. Robin Hubbard,
After Huntington, Ms. Trindade took
Linda Nelson, a retired teacher who
executive director of the Readnet
Lorenzo to a child psychologist, who
opened Learning Power, a tutoring center
Foundation, which has developed a
raised the possibility of attention deficit
in Hartford, offers one tutor for every
reading software program in conjunction
disorder. She also bought a copy of "The
student. Ms. Nelson said she decided
with Teachers College, said most titles
World Almanac for Children," and she
against buying a Sylvan or Huntington
"for younger children are really just
kept meeting with officials at Manhattan's
franchise because of what she described
pleasant looking, not based on academic
District 2.
as their "cookie-cutter" methods.
theory, generally."
Finally, she said, she reached a
"We spend a lot of time looking over
"The software the little kids are using
compromise with them: Lorenzo will
report cards, calling teachers," Ms.
really has to be a close relative to the
repeat kindergarten this fall rather than
Nelson said. Ms. Glazar, the Sylvan
television they have been watching," she
transfer into special education. In her
spokeswoman, responded that the centers
said. "Otherwise it won't hold their
research, she discovered that Lorenzo
offer the assurance of "consistent
interest."
was one of only a few children in his
programs around the country."
What is lacking is an easy way to
class who hadn't attended preschool.
If learning centers represent a 90's
make sense of it all. In this, the
Perhaps, Ms. Trindade said, Lorenzo
variation on old-style tutoring, then
Government offers little help. Charles
wasn't slow, but simply behind before he
software - the other fast-growing
Blaschke, head of Education Turnkey
had started.
component of the supplemental education
System, a market research group that
To help him catch up, she has
industry - may be the educational brave
monitors Federal and state initiatives for
restructured her home life. She now
new world. Titles like "Math Blaster,"
software, said that the last major study of
spends time every day tutoring Lorenzo;
"Reader Rabbit" and "Where in the World
computer-based education in schools was
when he makes up his bed, he has to also
Is Carmen Sandiego?" already constitute
done in 1975. For simply weeding
spell b-e-d. She has devised counting
something of a canon. There seems little
through the options, the Web sites of
games and learning games, partly from
doubt that using educational software
Family PC, Children's Software Revue,
consulting books. He also works with
only enhances children's computer
Home PC and Technology & Learning
different educational software titles.
literacy, and many parents regard it as
offer reviews of new software.
It's all geared toward one goal:
essential to preparing for the future.
Some educators say the evolution of
success, from first grade on. "I didn't
"Parents are very worried in general
software is already transforming the
realize that after kindergarten," she said,
that the world is going to turn into a
learning process for the better.
"you've got to be ready."
computer-generated place, and that their
Voice-sensitive computer software can
ART Photos: Students being tutored at a
kids have got to get started prenatally,"
interact with students doing exercises.
Huntington Learning Center in
said Mary Sue Lindley, an elementary
The not-too-distant future of virtual
Englewood, N.J. "Originally, we were the
school computer teacher at Public School
reality - when a student can put on a
last choice," said Ray Huntington, the
321 in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
headset and find himself in first-century
chain's founder. "Today, we are
Diane Shohet, an executive producer
Asia Minor - tantalizes many educators.
increasingly the first choice." (Philip
with Hasbro Interactive, which makes
"It's only the beginning," said Paul
Greenberg for The New York Times;
computer games with an educational
Houston, executive director of the
Photo illustration by Terry Miura) (pg.
bent, said that "edutainment" is the most
American Association of School
28); Elizabeth Trindade is spending the
recent trend for children. In edutainment,
Administrators. "It's going to inevitably
summer looking for ways to help her
the emphasis is on visual graphics and
revolutionize a lot of learning.
6-year-old son, Lorenzo, who had fallen
"fun" animated characters. "People are
Kids and families are having direct
behind in kindergarten. (Thomas Dallal
doing more entertainment-form titles that
access to learning and education, he
for The New York Times) (pg. 31); K.C.
happen to have some education in them,"
added. They don't have to go through an
Genzamer, a private tutor, works with
Ms. Shohet said. "Fun," of course, is part
intermediary like a school.
Eric and Jake Murray on
of the attraction of software; unlike rote
Elizabeth Trindade is spending much
educational games. (J. Emilio
school exercises, children embrace
of the summer looking for ways to help
Flores/The New York Times) (pg. 38)
19. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 17, Column I
Easy Degrees Proliferate on the Web
By David Koeppel
shy of a master's degree in special
University. After sending $800 as the
Ira Doreen Donovan, an elementary
education when she saw an on-line
first payment on a $2,000 degree, Ms.
school teacher in Miami, was 31 credits
advertisement for Columbia State
Donovan received a textbook to
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28
summarize and send back for grading.
sheepskin that requires little or no work
substance that are the problem."
Believing this was the first step of
from students. Columbia, for instance,
He was referring to schools that
several, she was shocked when shortly
promises degrees within 27 days.
require students to perform some
after, a certificate not only for a master's
Elaborate home pages make schools
academic exercises like writing a paper or
but a doctorate arrived at her home.
look credible, Mr. Lambert said. The
taking an exam - and some students
Along with the degrees came transcripts
schools can operate in the anonymity of
might invest considerable effort - but
awarding her a 3.9 grade point average
cyberspace, sometimes listing just an
their degrees are unacceptable to
for classes never taken and credit for a
E-mail address or post office box. And on
established colleges and universities and
completed thesis and dissertation.
line, they can reach a global audience for
unimpressive to prospective employers.
TD "I called the school and told them
minimal cost.
But experts admit that most such
if this degree isn't worth the paper it's
Eugene Sullivan, co-author with
institutions cater to people who know
printed on, I don't want to pay for it," Ms.
David W. Stewart and Henry Spille of
exactly what they are getting into.
Donovan said. "This degree mill made me
"External Degrees in the Information
"Many people are well aware of what
look like a fool."
Age," the American Council on
they are doing," Mr. Sullivan said. "They
Columbia State returned her money,
Education's guide to correspondence
want a credential and they want to get it
but others say they have not been so
programs, defines a diploma mill as an
quickly. But others are busy people or
lucky.
"organization that sells degrees without
foreign students who don't know much
After investigating 36 complaints,
an academic base and without requiring
about higher education. They see these
including one from Norway and one from
sufficient academic achievement."
places as programs that fit their needs."
Malaysia, the Louisiana Attorney
While perfectly legitimate schools
Joe Joyal of Atlanta said he had
General's office has filed for a
might have an element or two of a
worked as an engineer for 20 years
preliminary injunction against Columbia,
diploma mill (say, credit for work
without a degree and applied to
charging that it violates the state's Unfair
experience), experts say there are
Columbia State for a joint
Trade Practices Act and consumer
multiple defining characteristics:
bachelor's/master's degree in mechanical
protection laws. Last month the State of
The school emphasizes credit for work
engineering. He received both degrees in
Illinois also filed suit seeking an
or life experience without appropriate
under six months after summarizing two
injunction and restitution for consumers
mechanisms for assessing that experience
textbooks.
and the state.
in terms of college-level learning.
He said he suspected the degree was
Repeated calls to Columbia's office in
Degrees are obtained in far less time
worthless but nonetheless listed it on his
Metairie, La., seeking comment were not
than would be required at a legitimate
resume. Later he had second thoughts
returned.
institution. (A bachelor's degree typically
and took it off. He is pursuing a degree
The Internet has "rekindled the
takes four years of full-time course work,
from an accredited distance-learning
old-fashioned diploma mill," said
a master's one to two years, a Ph.D.
program.
Michael Lambert, the executive director
dissertation several years to research and
Columbia State claims in Internet
of the Distance Education and Training
write.)
advertising that it is accredited by the
Council, a recognized accrediting agency
Tuition and fees are on a per-degree
International Accrediting Association, a
that has approved 65 on-line and
basis instead of per semester or course.
"fictitious school accrediting agency,"
home-study schools. "The Internet is a
School brochures list faculty members
according to the Louisiana Attorney
haven for these places."
who neither teach nor provide other
General's complaint. The owner of
Surfing the Web these days is like
services, and there is virtually no
Columbia, Ronald Dante, was sentenced
flipping through a virtual college
interaction with faculty members.
in February in Los Angeles to
catalogue. With its interactivity and
The school is not accredited by an
five-and-a-half years in prison for
accessibility, the Internet has sparked
agency approved by the Department of
operating fraudulent schools in
new interest in home-study programs,
Education, the Council for Higher
California. He jumped bail and is being
offering actual courses on line or just
Education Accreditation or other
sought by United States marshals,
information.
legitimate institutions.
according to Michelle Muth, a
Although many distance-learning
Accreditation, however, is voluntary.
spokeswoman for the Federal Trade
schools have solid reputations and
"From my experience it's not the
Commission. Columbia continues to
graduation requirements, hundreds of
blatantly fraudulent schools that are the
operate.
Web sites have popped up for schools
real threat," Mr. Stewart said. "It's the
charging between $200 and $7,000 for
academic frauds that have a little
Perhaps the largest crackdown on
States like New York and Illinois
schools with offices there, for not making
schools took place from 1981 to 1991,
closely regulate academic institutions,
clear in advertisements that they are
when Operation Dipscam (for diploma
requiring that they be authorized to
unaccredited. After agreeing to a
scam) put 50 out of business on charges
operate. But many don't. Mr. Ezell said
settlement, American State decided to
ranging from mail or wire fraud to
investigations often start by looking into
close. "The penalties were too
conspiracy. "Sometimes we'd find phony
schools incorporated in the states with
substantial," the school's lawyer, Evan R.
accreditations or that we were able to
the weakest laws, like Hawaii, Utah and
Shirley, said, specifically citing the
negotiate a degree for a lower price," said
Louisiana.
requirement that every ad disclose its
Allen Ezell, a former agent with the
Hawaii has been wrangling with a few
unaccredited status.
Federal Bureau of Investigation who
unaccredited schools lately. Its
"My client never explicitly expressed
oversaw Dipscam. "Some schools sent
department of consumer affairs has sued
wrongdoing," he added, "but a conclusion
transcripts and diplomas to students for
Pacific Western and American State
could be rationally made that there was
courses never taken."
Universities, two distance-learning
wrongdoing."
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
29
Pacific Western's case is pending.
Mr. Karademir said he is not running a
business on the Internet for five years,
Calls to its office and lawyers were not
diploma mill.
including having a Web site.
returned, but in answer to the complaint
"We are a young university," he said.
"The state and I came to a good
filed in circuit court in Honolulu, it
"We didn't even know about them when
understanding," said Ms. LaFata, who
denied allegations that it misleads
we chose the name three years ago.
offered that she had been a Columbia
consumers about its accreditation or
They're not exactly Harvard. Calling us a
State student. "I did have to admit to
suggests it is "somehow accredited or
degree mill is hitting below the belt in
wrongdoing. It was an awful time for me.
approved by the State of Hawaii to award
order to belittle and discredit us."
I hope to leave that behind."
academic degrees."
Mr. Karademir said his school is made
Richard Mitchell, president of the
Another area of dispute that has
up mostly of international students who
New Orleans Better Business Bureau,
caused considerable legal wrangling has
are given academic credit for life
advises prospective students to do their
been the similarity in names between
experience, though he plans to add
own investigating before signing up with
accredited and unaccredited schools.
on-line courses in the fall. Washington
a distance education school.
An unaccredited school called
International's Web site is extensive and
"Do some intelligent things like
Washington University, which has an
promises to grant degrees in one year.
checking out a school with agencies that
office in Bryn Mawr, Pa., but is
"The academic comunity [sic] find our
can give you more information," he said.
incorporated in Hawaii and the British
degree
programs
to
be
"Don't just jump into a school because
Virgin Islands, settled a suit in June filed
OUTSTANDING!" the Web site declares.
they have an impressive Web site. If you
by the more established Washington
"All Washington International University
take time and do your homework, you
University of St. Louis. The suit charged
degrees are ATTESTED and sealed for
can avoid a problem."
that the unaccredited school infringed on
authenticity by a Government appointed
Mr. Lambert said it was easy for
its trademark and engaged in unfair
NOTARY!"
unsophisticated applicants to be fooled.
competition.
Costs range from $2,850 for a
"In mixing dollars and dreams," he said,
The details of the settlement are
Bachelor of Science in business
"it's many of the true innocents that get
confidential, but the consent judgment
administration to $7,400 for a
trampled on."
entered by the court told the school to
combination bachelor's and master's
How to Check School Credentials
come up with a new name, and one that
degree.
Surfing the Web for a home-study
separated the words "Washington" and
Meanwhile,
the
Pennsylvania
school? The Department of Education
"University" with a word of at least 10
Department of Education is investigating
suggests that thr first step is to check a
characters.
complaints about the school, according to
school's accreditation - a process in
Yil Karademir, who owns the
Michelle Haskins, a department
which courses are reviewed, students
unaccredited school, chose Washington
spokeswoman.
surveyed and campuses inspected. For a
International University. (Unaccredited
Last year, the Illinois Attorney
list of agencies approved to accredit
schools tend to favor the word
General succeeded in shutting down an
schools, write: Department of Education
"International," as well as "America,"
on-line school, Loyola State University,
Accreditation
and
Eligibility
"United" and "Pacific.")
for violating consumer protection laws by
Determination
Division,
6000,
The St. Louis school had complained
confusing students into thinking it was
Independence Ave., S.W., Washington,
that it had received inquiries from
Loyola University of Chicago. Patricia
D.C. 20202-5244; (202) 708-7417;
prospective students and alumni who
Kelly, division chief of consumer
www.ifap.ed.gov/scb.html/agenc.htm.
were confused when they saw the other
protection in the Attorney General's
The Council for Higher Education
school's ads - not to mention being the
office, said that Lorie LaFata, who ran
Accreditation, an organization of colleges
target of protests from human-rights
the school, created dummy transcripts
and universities, also approves
activists after a businessman linked to
with fictional class names, codes and
accrediting agencies. Write: One Dupont
Myanmar's military dictatorship bought
grades. Students would receive diplomas
Circle, N.W., Suite 854, Washington,
an honorary doctorate.
after paying $2,800. "We were able to see
D.C. 20036-1110; (202) 955-6126;
"What they do bears no resemblance
she was not offering what she promised,"
www.chea.org.
to the education we provide," said Lori
Ms. Kelly said.
ART Photo: The home pages of two
Fox, the associate general counsel for
In her settlement with the Attorney
on-line schools that offer quick degrees,
Washington University in St. Louis. "Are
General's office, which had filed suit
left. Ira Doreen Donovan's doctorate.
they a diploma mill? You'll have to draw
against her, Ms. LaFata agreed to pay
your own conclusions."
restitution to the state and not to conduct
20. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 32, Column 1
Back To the Blackboard
By Mikki Shaw
professors value the learning process
Those of us who work with new
A recent survey suggested that education
over the right answer and creativity over
teachers struggle daily with the
professors are out of touch with the
grammar and spelling, and they consider
conflicting demands of classroom
reality of the American classroom,
discipline a low priority.
realities and academic ideals. We want
students' needs and the public's desires.
Not surprisingly, such conclusions
our teachers to have realistic expectations
The survey, by the research organization
make parents growl and classroom
and appropriate tools, but we also seek
Public Agenda, concluded that education
teachers cringe.
commitment to change and a recognition
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30
that the traditional ways of teaching are
percent Hispanic, 45 percent black and 5
character maps for my new students,
not the only ways. In our program at
percent Asian and other.
indicating each character's role and
Columbia University, we encourage
I returned to the classroom to see if I
relation to the others. I have my own
aspiring teachers to read widely and work
still responded to students - and they to
project due this week for a class at
in cooperative groups, and we offer
me, but what surprised me most was the
Teachers College, plus another rewrite
alternative methods for assessing their
teachers. Some were curious about me,
for my dissertation proposal. Tomorrow I
future students' progress besides
others suspicious about my motives or
pick up curriculum projects from my own
traditional testing.
aggressive in their attacks on the Ivory
Teachers College students, which will
Still, many of our graduates find jobs
Tower. Day after day, what I heard was
have to be returned in a week or so.
in schools that emphasize traditional
sadness, sometimes anger, and often
What was I thinking?
teaching and learning - and the
despondence when the subject turned to
Tuesday, Day 2
transition can be difficult. I think of
the lack of money or support services.
Mr. M. had a conference day, so there
Ashley, for example, idealistic and
Yet, what my colleagues wanted most
was a substitute teacher in class with me.
enthusiastic, who was placed in a school
was help in becoming more effective
Maybe in her mid-20's, she was certified
where the teachers focused on issues of
teachers, help working with their
to teach Health Ed. She seemed sweet.
control and discipline. Ashley found the
students.
She took attendance - there were five
approach troubling. Yet when she took
Monday, Day 1
kids who had been absent yesterday -
over a class and tried out other
I had been up until 3 the night before,
then she sat down and chewed gum for
techniques, students responded only to
worrying, but class was completely
the rest of the period. I could tell when I
the lack of restraints, and chaos ensued.
anticlimactic. The 27 10th graders came
got boring just by looking over at her.
She was left feeling that there was no
full of noise and energy, but settled down
She would start bobbing her head or
choice but to assert control.
quickly at the request of my host teacher,
staring out the window.
Last May, prompted by questions of
Mr. M., as the kids call him. He
I handed out the character maps. Now,
pedagogy and a conviction that, after five
introduced me, distributed our project for
all I needed was their attention! I told the
years at Teachers College, it was time to
the next two weeks, "The Taming of the
class that Mr. M. had told me the class
get back to kids, I accepted an invitation
Shrew," and took a seat in the back of the
was great and so should be able to do the
to spend two weeks teaching at a Yonkers
room.
entire play in one period.
high school. I had been a high school
I asked why anyone would want to
"Come on, we can do it."
English teacher for 20 years, and later, as
read Shakespeare today, and we wended
Nothing. No open books.
a teacher of teachers, I had spent three
our way into a discussion about whether
"Well, O.K., if we can't read the whole
years at the Yonkers school supervising
human nature - and teen-agers - have
play, maybe we can at least get an idea of
student-teachers. My intent in returning
changed much in 400 years. We talked
what the play is about, and then we can
to a high school classroom was to teach,
about arranged marriage, why older
try and convince Mr. M. that we did read
not to write. But much of what I saw
siblings always think they got a bad
the whole play."
lends a firsthand glimpse into the chasm
break, and who has the upper hand in the
A few grins: they knew they'd been set
between the theory and the practice of
battle of the sexes.
up, but it wasn't such a bad idea.
education, a disjuncture that recurs in
Mid-discussion, one child asked,
So we plowed through the summary
urban districts across the country.
"What are you doing here if they don't be
and the character map - with small
The high school where I taught is
paying you?"
time-outs for explanations about dowries,
located among practically identical
I told him, "I came down to see what
soliloquies, asides and why the
well-manicured, one-family homes. Until
the big deal is with all the dopey
Shakespearean casts were all men.
a decade ago, the school was well
Tommies you guys wear."
We got to the crucial scene in which
respected for academic achievement. But
Fortunately, they laughed. Perhaps I
Petruchio admires what he claims is
today, its reading and math scores are
wasn't so bad for a geeky-looking,
moonlight in the middle of the afternoon,
among the lowest in the state. In the
middle-aged white woman.
and forces Kate to acquiesce to the false
mid-80's, a high-profile, bitterly fought
Midnight
observation. A few kids started going off
redistricting effort triggered white flight.
I'm worried. I spent four hours tonight
on Kate - how she was a sellout, and
Today the school is 10 percent white, 40
making up questions, group projects and
worse.
One boy said, "Most of the women be
told me, that's boring stuff and too much
Amazement, laughter, all very silly.
saying they want their rights, but when
work.
We moved on to the reading. They
the man says the word, they be bending
Wednesday, Day 3
took turns, but some read so haltingly it
their heads to it."
The kids laughed when I started class
would have been difficult to sustain all
I was pleased that they were being
by asking Mr. M. if he could please get
period. After reading a pivotal scene and
talkative. I had feared silence. At the end
me some coffee. ("Hey, Mr. M., she think
discussing it, we watched the Elizabeth
of the period, they asked if we were still
she Petruchio!") While he was gone, we
Taylor-Richard Burton version. They
going to fool Mr. M. Sure, I told them,
planned our attack. Mr. M. returned.
liked the movie.
why not?
"Mr. M., what are we going to read
I spent the next period in the faculty
After class, the substitute said she had
next?"
room with Mr. M. When he introduced
thought I was in trouble when I started by
"Taming of the Shrew.' I thought you
me as "from the university," several
asking questions. It turned out "good,"
started it yesterday."
teachers started talking about "reality," as
though, she said. I asked her why she
"We finished it."
if theirs is separate from mine. It's what
didn't consider getting certified in one of
"You what?" He played it big. "You
I'm here to see, I told them.
the major subjects, where there are more
guys don't know about the - moonlight
They began to tell stories. They agreed
opportunities than in Health Ed. No, she
scene, do you?"
that the central problem in this school is
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31
that students suffer few consequences for
My friend is finesse.
to get the custodian to remove the
breaking rules, unless violence is
Mr. M. listened and encouraged me to
offending mice from her classroom, the
involved. This last is not a rare
think of different approaches. My first
teacher had finally scooped them into a
occurrence. In the fall and winter, there
thought was to trash the vocabulary
box and left it on top of the garbage can,
were half a dozen reported instances of
altogether. If these kids need to know
prompting the reprimand.
fights involving teacher injury.
these words because the Curriculum God
Then Mr. M. had three classes in a
Another typical scenario they
says so, why not just give them
row, and I stayed to observe. Each class
described goes like this: There's an
definitions and be done with it? Then we
was much like second period - resistant,
announcement that teachers should make
could spend the time focusing on context.
even a little hostile. Mr. M. worked the
boys remove their hats. A teacher sends
I tried to design a handout that gives
room, pushing and pulling and teasing
one student who refuses to do so to the
definitions, indicates parts of speech, and
the kids. But I noticed there were some
office. He is back in five minutes - his
then asks students to put the correct
he didn't approach or touch. Later, he
hat still on. Another five minutes, an
words into a coherent paragraph -
told me he fears they might really go off.
administrator peeks into the classroom
hardly the challenging innovation I'd
Now I know why Mr. M. has
and criticizes the teacher in front of the
fantasized about, but perhaps useful.
structured the week like this, with
class for not enforcing the hat rule! I
Friday, Day 5
Thursdays in the computer room.
groan.
I missed a fight yesterday afternoon.
Consciously or unconsciously, he's
Thursday, Day 4
Two young women were involved,
saving his energy for Friday.
Mr. M. has his kids in the computer
one of whom took her shirt off to fight.
Yesterday I was critical of the relative
room every Thursday working on
Mr. M. tried to break it up, and in the
ineffectiveness of the vocabulary work.
vocabulary. The kids look up 20 words,
process was slugged by a boy. The girls
Today I was in awe that he comes back
copy the definitions into their notebooks
were suspended for five days; the boy got
every Monday.
and then write sentences using them.
three.
There is no lunch period for
Some teachers might use the time to go
The class was restless today, edgy. I
upperclassmen. The cafeteria had been
"on vacation," but Mr. M. circulated
wasn't a new face anymore. Perhaps they
the site of too many fights, so lunch was
throughout the entire period,
figured they'd been polite for long
eliminated. Juniors and seniors attend
troubleshooting computers and assisting
enough. One boy turned and started
school only from 8 until 12:45 - with no
with vocabulary.
talking to the boy behind him. I stood
lunch and no break - and then are
He has plenty of energy and
near them as we were reading, and he
dismissed.
enthusiasm. It's his 30th year, and he still
stopped.
After his last class, as Mr. M. and I
wants to learn as well as teach. He wants
But then two girls in the back started
were walking toward the lobby with a
interaction and feedback and stimulation
up. When I moved toward their desks,
crush of students all around us, I noticed
and support - something teachers don't
naturally, I heard a new conversation
a spill - red paint or something.
often get, because it is so easy to become
sprout up on the side of the room. So I
I pointed it out, saying, Should we call
isolated in classrooms. Many of us teach
strolled casually over.
the custodian? Someone spilled paint."
as we were taught, and as we were taught
Pretty soon I was playing the
He looked at me strangely. It took a
to teach. But we need to teach differently
classroom equivalent of "Whack-a-Mole,"
minute, but then I realized that it wasn't
today, because kids learn differently.
the carnival game where little animals
paint. It was blood. The kids didn't seem
And, with the vocabulary lesson as an
pop up from different holes as fast as you
to notice. They walked right through,
opportunity, I decided
can whack them down. Finally, Mr. M.
trailing blood all over the hall.
to raise a point. I'm certain
bailed me out by again showing a key
On my way out of the building, a boy
that memorizing words out of context
scene from the movie.
from second period asked me, "Miss, you
and copying dictionary definitions is not
After class, Mr. M. spent the break in
coming back next week?"
very effective. Many students, for
the faculty room. The main topic there
"Yeah," I tell him. "I am."
example, write sentences like these:
was a principal's letter to a teacher
The Weekend
My friend is glib.
detailing the proper disposal method for
My friend is forbearance.
dead rodents. Having tried unsuccessfully
I have spent a lot of time trying to
I brought in a few props, including
her?
figure out what I might have done
one of my son's books, Where's
In between we read and paraphrased
differently on Friday. Why has discipline
Mommy's Truck? It shows the Mommy
the play. Some of the boys persisted in
become the Consideration That Dare Not
driving a pickup to work at a construction
thinking that I was poisoning their minds
Speak Its Name in our universities?
site and changing her own tire on the
with propaganda, but for the most part,
Keeping students engaged and expressing
way. I knew I had my class back when I
they were surprisingly willing to examine
concern for them goes a long way toward
walked over to one of the biggest guys
their preconceived notions.
maintaining a good working atmosphere
and got him to lift the flap to show the
Tuesday, Day 7
- but it isn't the whole answer. I decide
class "Mommy's truck."
Quiz day. Mr. M. and I each made up
we need to keep reminding them of the
I also brought in an article about Kelly
our own, 10 questions each. Mr. M.'s had
relevance of the material, and they need
Flinn, the first female B-52 bomber pilot,
five on vocabulary, and five on the play,
to have at least two activities each period.
who was accused of adultery. We spent
all based on memory. What year was
Designing those kept me entertained for
10 minutes on a few "Dear Abby"
Shakespeare born? What was Kate's
four or five hours late Sunday evening. It
situations, like what if your brother
suitor's name?
is taking me well over three hours each
wanted to be a nurse or a kindergarten
Mine was a paragraph of fill-in
evening to prepare for a 40-minute class.
teacher? And, should Tasha ask out the
sentences, each one about Shrew, and
Monday, Day 6
shy boy in her class who she thinks likes
each using one of the vocabulary words.
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32
Among them: Gremio, Hortensio and
Kate: "Moved? In good time: let him
sentence and that he understood the
Lucentio are eager to Kate's marriage so
that moved you hither
meaning of the word. But the fourth
Bianca will be free to marry. (The word:
Remove you hence!"
sentence was "He is grimy." The fifth was
expedite.)
Tiffany and Krystal: "You go, girl!"
"She is a hypochondriac." And so on.
Mr. M. was concerned that mine
We then showed the Taylor-Burton
When I asked him why the difference,
might be too hard, so we gave both
version of the same scene, and as it
Benjamin, a recent transfer student, said:
quizzes and told them we'd count
played, two boys determinedly shredded
"The school I come from, no teacher ever
whichever grade was higher.
loose-leaf paper into the tiny pieces of
read past my third sentence."
The results were interesting, but not
confetti that you find on the floor in
Friday, the Last Day
very definitive. The average grade on
every high school in America. When the
I asked the kids to write a letter with
mine was 69: on Mr. M.'s, 62. The kids
bell rang, 1 walked over and told them,
some advice for the new teachers I work
who did the worst on my quiz were four
"Hey, there's paper all over the floor by
with. What do they need to know to be
girls who usually get grades in the 80's.
your desk." They both looked up and
good teachers? The kids struggled,
All four study hard, memorize definitions
replied in concert, "I didn't do it."
unsure what right answer I was looking
and facts, and were probably thrown by
There was no way I could win this
for.
the change in format.
one. It was a perfect example of Mr. M.'s
Some wrote things like, You've got to
The kids who did the best on my quiz
maxim: Don't grab the rope. Don't take
like kids and then quit. Others wrote from
were students who usually do poorly.
the bait, Mikki. Don't argue.
the heart. Tyrone, whom I thought I'd
They may not study, but they're bright.
I wanted to. Instead, I looked down
really made a connection with, asked to
When the test depended on memorizing
and said, "Well, let's pick it up." I didn't
leave the room. The pass was out so I
facts and definitions, they failed; but
wait to see their reaction; I just started
told him he had to wait. He insisted he
when they could use context clues or
picking up the confetti. After a moment,
had to get something from his locker,
information from discussion to figure out
first one boy, then the other helped. It
made a face and walked out. Don't grab
the answer, they did well. Angel, who
took 10 seconds. I stretched out my hand
the rope, Mik, I told myself again. I'll
rarely comes to class, got a 90.
for the paper, but one of them smiled and
write him up later. To my amazement, he
Wednesday, Day 8
rolled his eyes at me, and said, "No, I'll
was back in a minute - with a pen to
Today Mr. M. and I co-taught, and we
do it, Mom."
write his letter.
had them hooting and hollering. We read
Thursday, Day 9
I walked around and shook hands with
the scene where Kate and Petruchio
Vocabulary in the computer room. I
each student and wished them good luck.
finally meet, and I asked Mr. M. to read
gave out a sheet with words and
This seemed to take them by surprise.
aloud with me. The scene is rife with
definitions, parts of speech and a
Several girls hugged me; a few
double entendres, and these kids seemed
sentence for each as an example. Students
asked if I would come back and visit.
to pick up on all of them.
had to say whether the word was used
But when the bell rang, they
Just before we started the scene, Mr.
correctly and then write a new sentence
zipped out the door without a
M. surprised me by inviting the class to
using it. The period was tough; they kept
backward glance. I left the building
split up, girls on one side, boys on the
calling us over and asking questions. It
feeling both reluctant and relieved,
other, and encouraging them to root for
seemed as if they weren't listening or
remembering what Mr. M. had told me
the character of the appropriate gender. I
reading the directions. But their
when I asked how he kept going after 30
was taken aback, but the kids loved it.
sentences were much improved.
years.
Mr. M. and I were soon striding around
The one exception was Benjamin,
"The kids," he said. "I'm there for the
the room:
whose first three sentences were terrific,
kids."
Petruchio: "Myself am moved to woo
clearly indicating that he knew the part of
thee for my wife."
speech, that he could write a complex
21. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 7, Column 1
Sonny, We Didn't Have Calculators Back Then (And I
Had to Walk)
By Jame Barron
many companies still make slide rules?
in Emeryville, Calif., has 300 members
A generation ago, every engineering
"Pretty much no one," said Gordon P.
and is named for William Oughtred, who
student, prospective physicist and
Smith, a graduate student at the
invented the slide rule in the 17th
budding chemist carried a slide rule.
University of Mississippi who has a
century.
Made of ivory, wood or (later) plastic, a
collection of 50. The best-known maker
Mr. Smith, the son of a physics
slide rule looked like a fancy ruler but
of slide rules in this country was the
professor at the University of Florida,
used logarithms to perform mathematical
Keuffel & Esser Company, whose
studied at the Georgia Institute of
functions, from simple multiplication to
slide-rule factory in Hoboken, N.J., was
Technology and other hard-core
trigonometry.
converted to apartments in the 1980's.
engineering institutions. He set up one of
Hand-held calculators came along in
The Oughtred Society was formed in
the first World Wide Web sites about
the 1970's, and slide rules disappeared
1993 to help collectors and dealers swap
slide rules, using computer technology to
from backpacks and briefcases. So how
information. The society, which is based
honor an anachronism while he still used
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33
the anachronism in class.
stare at it and wonder what it was."
He encourages his students not to use
"I was in that gray area where students
Then he became a teaching assistant.
calculators.
no longer used slide rules but calculators
"I weep for the students I see now," he
The slide rule, he said, is an even
weren't allowed for tests, so I managed to
said. "They can't do simple multiplication
harder sell. So far, no converts. JAMES
keep some math skills," Mr. Smith, 27,
or addition, and the first reaction when
BARRON
said. "I'd show up with a two-foot slide
you give them a problem is to reach for
ART Photo: Gordon P. Smith shows off
rule for the final and make a point of
the calculator. They have no concept of
part of his treasured collection (Rollin
sitting in the front row. People would
order of magnitude or estimation."
Riggs for The New York Times)
22. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 7, Column 1
Barbarians at the Schoolhouse Door
By David W. Chen
policy aimed at adults.
administrators to micromanage the
One father barged into the principal's
The policy stipulates that, in
manners and morals of their staff, pupils
office, screamed obscenities and
accordance with a rarely invoked state
and parents?" Tibor Machan, who teaches
demanded a copy of his son's summer
law, anyone who yells, uses profanity or
business at Chapman University in
school schedule. Another argued with the
behaves in a way that threatens the safety
Orange, Calif., wrote in The Orange
driver when his daughter's school bus
of students may be asked to leave school
County Register. "It fosters paternalism
arrived 20 minutes late, then lay down in
property.
carte blanche."
front of the vehicle in protest.
"This is not meant to chill people from
Since the policy went into effect in
These were the most egregious
criticizing us," said James A. Fleming,
March, no one has been asked to leave,
examples of the boorish behavior that
the district's Superintendent. "What we're
Dr. Fleming said. A few parents,
prompted the Capistrano Unified District
saying is, someone's got to make a point
however, have been warned: be civil.
in Orange County, Calif., to do
to stop the incivility."
DAVID W. CHEN
something that apparently no other
But the policy has its critics.
district has tried before: pass a civility
"What example does it set for school
23. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 7, Column 1
Alumni Editors Call for Freedom
By Macarena Hernandez
Support of Education, an organization of
out of discussions on the Internet
It's an age-old debate: what is the role of
alumni association administrators,
between several editors about
the alumni magazine?
seeking "the protection of academic
disagreements they had had with
Traditionally, administrators have seen
freedom generally accepted in higher
administrators over editorial content.
them as fund-raising tools (some operate
education" and the right to present a
Tom Bleezarde, editor of the Williams
right in public relations or development
balanced portrait of their universities -
College Alumni Review and head of the
offices).
"good and bad news, popular and
drafting committee, said it strived to
But editors have long had different
unpopular views."
balance traditional freedoms of
ideas. Last month, a group of 250 editors
A council subcommittee is discussing
expression with concern for the
submitted a statement of standards to the
whether to recommend the standards to
institution.
Council for the Advancement and
member institutions. The statement grew
24. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 7, Column 1
Military Fires a Warning Shot at Law Schools
By David W. Chen
discriminate on the basis of sexual
on recruitment or reinterpreting them
After getting word that several law
orientation. The Defense Authorization
(say, redefining what constitutes "on
schools were barring its recruiters from
Act for 1995 cuts off Defense
campus"), said Lieut. Col. Tom Begines,
campus, the Department of Defense
Department grants and contracts to
a Defense Department spokesman.
decided to take a closer look, and over
educational institutions that do not give
The College of Law at Willamette
the last few months it has notified 40 law
the military access to students.
University in Salem, Ore. - worried that
schools that their policies most likely
Now, after soul-searching over the
it might lose as much as $100,000 - is
violate Federal law.
military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy
one of the schools that will allow military
The warning is the latest broadside
toward gay soldiers, most of the 40 law
recruiters on campus for the first time.
against campuses that ban employers who
schools are either changing their policies
"We decided to make an exception under
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
34
the theory of comply now, grieve later,"
reached with everyone. He would not
"We're not putting a monetary value
said Dean Robert M. Ackerman of the
identify any schools.
on individuals' civil rights," Ms.
law school.
But New York University Law School
Dorzback said, adding that the school
So far, no law school has been
is apparently one of the holdouts. Irene
had not even calculated how much
declared ineligible for aid, said Colonel
Dorzback, an assistant dean, said the
money it might lose.
Begines, though detente has not been
school saw no reason to change.
25. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 7, Column 1
Where the Girls Are: Where Boys Aren't
By Andrew Jacobs
same period, the total population of
girls do better when they're not
In recent years, an insistent group of
elementary and secondary schools rose 7
competing with boys in the classroom,"
educators has been making the case for
percent, according to the National Center
said Meg Milne Moulton, executive
all-girls schools. Now it seems that
for Education Statistics.
director of the coalition, which represents
parents are jumping on the bandwagon.
The increase is a sharp turnabout from
88 schools with 37,000 students
From 1991 to 1997, enrollment at girls'
the previous three decades, when
nationwide. The coalition survey, which
schools has increased 15.4 percent,
single-sex schools lost favor to
compared 80 of its member schools,
according to a study by the National
co-educational institutions.
found that enrollment had risen to 33,802
Coalition of Girls' Schools. During the
"It shows the growing realization that
in 1997, from 29,282 in 1991.
Studies have demonstrated that in
David Sadker, a professor of
"We should be fixing coed schools,"
co-educational settings boys get more
education at American University, has
he said, "because the girls that get left
attention than girls and so perform better
analyzed patterns of instructional
behind are the ones who will lose out."
academically, but critics contend that
favoritism in his book "Failing With
ANDREW JACOBS
segregation inhibits social development
Fairness," but he does not necessarily
and is not particularly healthy for society,
support the creation of more single-sex
either.
academies.
26. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 24, Column 3
Forging a Worldview: From Crow's Nest to Ivory Tower
By Linda Lee
There were long talks in the living
I would," he said, adding that the trip
Four years ago, Danny Siegle graduated
room with his family. Friends balked.
taught him how to deal with
from the North Carolina School of
"People said, 'Oh, you'll never go to
bureaucracies, a skill he believed he
Science and Mathematics, a public
college," he said.
needed on a large campus, and something
boarding school in Durham known for its
His mother, Kathleen, accepted his
more.
tough admissions standards, rigorous
unconventional idea. "I think there's this
"I traveled because I wanted to learn,
course work and personal attention to
desire to be in a path of your own," she
and universities didn't offer what 1
students.
said, "and some people know that sooner,
wanted to experience," he said. "The
"Everybody goes straight to college
and take these brave steps."
same desire to learn that drove me out of
from the School of Science and Math," he
After graduation, Mr. Siegle first spent
the U.S. drove me back to school."
said. "It's assumed you go."
five weeks delivering pizza to buy a
Today, at 22, Mr. Siegle has
Mr. Siegle, one of five children,
plane ticket to Seattle, where he got a job
completed three years as a biology major
wanted to attend a small private college,
as a cook on a fishing boat. "They didn't
at Chapel Hill. He has spent seven
but he couldn't afford it. Instead, he
ask me if I knew how to cook," he said.
months studying in Denmark and four
found himself headed for the University
"They asked if I liked to cook. I knew
more teaching English in Turkey. When
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
how to boil water."
he graduates next spring, he wants to go
(enrollment: 23,000). He began to get
The job lasted four months, 100 hours
back to work on a fishing boat, this time
cold feet.
a week. "So I learned a lot about the real
as an observer for the National Marine
"I thought I'd fall through the cracks
world there," he said. He saved $10,000,
Fisheries Service.
there," he said. "I was afraid I would get
got off the boat in Japan and wandered
"We got paid about the same," he said
lost. Meanwhile, I didn't think I knew
through China and Tibet, Pakistan,
of the observer on his last expedition.
anything. I knew science and math, but I
Jordan, Israel, Greece, Albania ("one of
"But I was working 14 hours a day and he
didn't know what made countries
my faves"), Serbia and Hungary. He then
was sitting in a chair." LINDA LEE
different."
traveled through Western Europe and
ART Photo: (Jennifer Warburg for The
So he decided to defer enrollment for
flew home from London in August 1995.
New York Times)
a year and see the world.
"I entered school just like I told everyone
27. The New York Times
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35
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 25, Column 3
'So, Like, What Do I Do Now?' Some of the Alternatives
By Linda Lee
Interim Programs, a counseling program
while still serving. The experience can
Admissions officers agree that no one
in Cambridge, Mass. "If you don't know
put some young people on track. "I just
should go to college until he or she can
where you're going," he says, "any road
had a young man come in who had a 1.9
do so with enthusiasm and optimism.
will take you there."
average in high school," said John
But parents often divide along
Here are six options:
Chopka, dean of admissions at Malone
ideological lines (carrot VS. stick) about
Military Service
College in Canton, Ohio. "He'd spent the
what a child should do instead: mothers
An old remedy for young men at loose
last three years in the Marines. We did
tend toward an expansion of horizons
ends, the military now finds that 20
admit him, conditionally. I really think
like internships and seminars, while
percent of recruits are women.
this young man is going to make it."
fathers often want their child to learn
Advantages: The G.I. Bill offers up to
Downside: Discipline may come as a
some harsh lessons about work and
$15,300 (paid out at $400 a month) for
shock; pay is low ($856.80 a month for
responsibility.
college after completion of service and
basic training), and a two- to six-year
Perhaps the best advice comes from
between 75 percent and 95 percent
commitment is required.
Cornelius Bull, founder of the Center for
tuition assistance up to a certain amount
Postgraduate Year
Boarding schools like Phillips Exeter
locations teaches self-reliance and
Advantages: Looks good on a college
Academy in Exeter, N.H., offer programs
provides immersion in other cultures.
application, is beneficial to society,
that give students who have just
"Those students who travel and see the
expands horizons. Joshua Wray, 19, of
graduated from high school a chance to
world learn a lot about themselves," said
Durham, N.C., said he was "just getting
take classes they missed or retake ones
Diane Anci, associate director of
by" in high school. At the end of
they did poorly in; to play more sports, or
admissions at Mount Holyoke College in
September, he is to help manage
maybe to mature a little more.
Massachusetts. "They come back with an
computers in a Senegalese village as part
Advantages: Students can bring up
unbelievable ability to make
of a nonprofit program connected to the
their grade point average and take
connections."
Ecopartners Project at Cornell
advanced courses that could get them
Downside: Some children are not
University. He is to get room and board
into a better college. "A postgraduate
ready for a solo adventure.
but must pay his own plane fare. "My
year is very much like what their
Residential Internship Programs
friends said, 'Go to college first, and then
freshman year will be like, but very
Dynamy, in Worcester, Mass.,
do it,' he recalled. "But if I went to
structured," said Karyl Clemens, dean of
provides a structured living environment,
college, I'd never be able to do this
admissions at Hartwick College in
counseling and three unpaid internships.
again."
Oneonta, N.Y. "It helps them gain
The yearlong program, for applicants
Downside: Low or no wages, and
confidence and helps them sharpen skills.
ages 17 to 22, begins with three weeks of
some youths need more supervision.
And it may motivate them."
canoeing and rock climbing through
A Job
Downside: Cost can reach $25,000,
Outward Bound.
Many jobs will pay handsomely for
about the same as a year of private
Advantages: Provides guidance,
something a teen-ager already knows,
college.
supervision and the chance to work in a
from fooling around on a computer or car
Internships
variety of challenging fields that are
to mowing the lawn. And a little bit of
A number of companies help match
traditionally hard to break into, like
training - say, in bartending or truck
students with suitable programs and can
advertising or television. "Some kids can
driving - will greatly increase income.
provide a leg up in the application
pack a suitcase and take off, said David
Advantages: Teen-agers have a chance
process. For $1,500, Mr. Bull (below)
Rynick, executive director of Dynamy.
to grow up and support themselves.
and his Center for Interim Programs
"Others need the support."
Downside: A temporary gig could
offers two years of counseling and a list
Downside: An expensive solution: the
become a lifelong career. But, as Larry
of adventure internships, like farming in
fee is $10,250 and housing $3,600.
Griffith, the director of admissions at the
New Zealand or helping at an orphanage
Good Works
University of Delaware, says, "There's a
in India. Students usually receive room
Nonprofit groups - religious,
snobbery in academia, but there are
and board but pay transportation costs.
cultural, humanitarian - can usually
perfectly legitimate hair salon schools.
Time Out Associates in Milton, Mass.,
make use of a willing worker.
Some people have a different path."
charges $150 an hour for counseling on
Government programs like Americorps
LINDA LEE
internships and experimental education
and private national service organizations
ART Photos: (Monkmeyer; Kirsten
programs.
like Americare, based in New Canaan,
Elstner; Evan Richman; Laura Pedrick)
Advantages: Going to remote
Conn., also welcome help.
28. The New York Times
08/02/98Section: Education Life Supplement; Section 4A; Page 42, Column 5
After High School, A Call to arms
By Kristina Shevory
looking for something interesting to do
I was not quite prepared for his
WHEN I TOLD MY father I was
the summer after high school graduation,
suggestion: the Army.
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36
I thought he was joking. What young
California. 1 could learn a foreign
Philip Sousa.
woman with an upper-middle-class
language. I could learn to surf.
More important, during two years of
background, graduating from one of the
The local recruiter assured me of the
active duty, the Army instilled in me a
best high schools in Texas, would even
superb wave conditions around the
high sense of self worth and discipline,
consider the military? I had a bright
institute. And in the summer of 1993,
and a desire for an education. In fact, I
future awaiting me at the University of
fresh from graduation, I left for basic
often find little in common with my
Chicago that fall. Obviously my father
training in Missouri.
fellow students, who are largely
doubted my intellect.
The military intelligence unit in
ambivalent about their own direction in
But being an astute man, he knew
Austin I was assigned to was up to quota
life. I have a clear vision of my future as
exactly why the Army might draw me: I
in every language but Russian. So it was
a Russian specialist. In August, I leave
was yearning for an eventful break after
Russian I learned. Now I also know how
for St. Petersburg, where I will study
four years of intense study, and I loved
to fire a machine gun, throw grenades,
Russian for another year.
language. The military could send me to
move under enemy fire, jam enemy
the Defense Language Institute in
communcations. I can march to John
I remember, at boot camp, how unsure
wall in less than a minute. I have always
Somehow, I managed to muster up the
I was about some of the more difficult
been terrified of heights, and the thought
courage, and I beat everyone else's time.
tasks I was challenged to undertake -
of throwing myself off that wall
My father was not crazy at all. And I
for instance, rappelling down a 30-foot
positively filled me with terror.
can surf. KRISTINA SHEVORY
TRADE
29. Education Week
August 4, 1998
It's About Teaching And Learning -Not Testing
By Gerald N. Tirozzi
recommended by President Clinton and
Research tells us that if a student is
In decades past, television and radio
U.S. Secretary of Education Richard
unable to read independently and with
stations ran this public service
W. Riley will be critical to helping
comprehension by 4th grade, he likely
announcement: "It's 10 o'clock. Do you
determine whether or not children are
will fall further behind as he progresses
know where your children are?" As we
learning reading and math as well as their
through middle and senior high school.
approach the new millennium, we should
peers across the nation and around the
As a result, this student's learning
revisit this PSA, asking parents and
globe.
potential in all other courses is seriously
educators a slightly different question:
Contrary to popular belief, a student's
impaired. A child who does not master
"It's 9 a.m. Do you know how your
report card or standardized-test scores
the foundations of algebra by grade 8 is
children are doing in school?"
may not accurately represent how he or
less likely to take challenging coursework
As important as it is to know where
she is doing in school. A recent study of
such as geometry, trigonometry, and
our children are after school, we must
students in low- vs. high-poverty schools
calculus in high school; thus, this child
also know how they are doing in school.
reinforces this point. It shows that
will be less likely to be prepared for more
The declaration "all children can
students in low-poverty schools who
advanced math and science courses,
learn" is emblazoned on the walls of
receive C's in math score higher on math
college-level work, and a demanding
corridors and classrooms in most of our
assessments than students in high-poverty
technological society.
schools. Yet while a critical and
schools who receive A's in math
Rigorous
voluntary
national
optimistic statement, the phrase is
("Prospects: Student Outcomes," U.S.
assessments in reading at the 4th grade
incomplete. It begs the central question:
Department of Education, 1997). In
level and math at the 8th grade level will
What is it that we expect all children to
addition, significant disparity exists in
provide a national and international
learn? For answers to that, states and
many states' assessments of student
barometer against which teachers,
school districts have to clearly articulate
performance in reading and math when
administrators, parents, and students can
challenging content and performance
compared with results from the National
assess learning at critical junctions on the
standards for all students, especially in
Assessment of Educational Progress of a
pathway to academic success.
reading and mathematics. Educators must
random sample of the same students. For
Voluntary national tests in reading and
decide once and for all what students
instance, Louisiana reports that 80
math are being debated in Congress,
should know at specific grade levels and
percent of its students meet state
promoting a national discourse on the
clearly state how well they should know
standards in 8th grade mathematics. Yet,
issue. The reality is that much of the
it. And to ensure that such challenging
NAEP reports that only 7 percent of
debate and dialogue is missing the point.
expectations are being met, states will
Louisiana 8th graders meet the basic
The issue is not testing, states' rights,
have to implement rigorous assessment
mathematics level. Wisconsin reports that
federal intrusion, or disadvantaged
systems aligned with their standards.
85 percent of its 4th graders meet the
communities. The real issue is teaching
Yes, we know that all children can
state standards in reading. According to
and learning.
learn. We know, too, that not all children
NAEP reports, however, only 35 percent
The voluntary national tests will
are learning to the same high standards.
of 4th graders in Wisconsin meet the
support learning in the classroom. They
That is why the voluntary national tests
basic reading standards.
will not take valuable time away from
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37
instruction, as critics purport. Each test
test a child for a life-threatening disease
instructional time is really the issue, then
will take one and a half hours to
-one for which there is a cure if
school officials must re-examine how
administer, representing approximately
diagnosed early on -because the test
each and every 90-minute period of the
one-tenth of I percent of the total school
would take one and a half hours to
school year is being utilized.
year. Imagine a doctor deciding not to
administer. If one and a half hours of
We also have clear and critical new
standards, which the president is
for teachers, students, and parents in
evidence that the voluntary national tests
recommending as the national barometer.
determining student progress.
will not merely repeat tests that states are
AEP has been used for 28 years to
Many states and districts are in the
currently administering. Congress asked
assess a random, stratified population of
process of aligning their assessments to
the National Academy of Sciences, in
America's students on achievement in
their standards. The national tests will
consultation with the National Governors'
reading and math. It is recognized and
serve to supplement such efforts and
Association, the National Conference of
accepted by educators, researchers, and
validate results of student achievement.
State Legislatures, and the National
evaluation experts as a rigorous, valid,
In effect, states and districts can use the
Assessment Governing Board to study
and reliable assessment of student
voluntary testing initiative to take an
whether tests that already have been
progress. The voluntary national tests
additional and more comprehensive
developed by commercial publishers and
will be developed in accordance with the
snapshot of student progress through
states may be used to measure individual
content and performance standards
both a national and international lens.
student performance against NAEP
embedded in the NAEP 4th grade reading
Critics of the voluntary national tests
standards, and whether existing tests can
and 8th grade math assessments.
say it is unfair to expect students from
be compared against each other. The
Therefore, states, districts, schools,
lower socioeconomic school districts to
results are in. The national academy
teachers, parents, and students will be
do well on a rigorous test until they have
found that it is not possible to compare
able to assess student progress against
all of the necessary material and
and link commercial and state
other 4th graders nationally in reading,
personnel resources. While I respect and
achievement tests, nor is it feasible to
and 8th graders nationally and
understand this, as a former educator
report individual scores from those tests
internationally in mathematics. Also,
with more than 37 years of experience in
based on the NAEP scale. The
states can objectively and realistically
education at all levels, I believe we do a
administration and Congress agreed last
determine how high their "achievement
greater disservice to students in these
fall to have these results inform
bars" measure up to world-class
communities by holding them
congressional action on national testing.
standards.
accountable to a lower set of standards
These findings clearly demonstrate that
The voluntary national tests are not an
while they wait for the resources to
the voluntary national tests are needed to
attempt at federal intrusion into the
arrive. With this waiting-period
show how well students are performing
schools, as critics charge. First and
mentality, many districts and schools try
compared with rigorous national
foremost, voluntary means voluntary.
to explain away poor students'
standards.
States and local districts will determine
performance. Securing the best resources
Critics of the voluntary national tests
whether or not they participate. And the
for classrooms is important, but even
also claim that public education is the
federal government will not be involved
more important are high expectations and
responsibility of the states, not the federal
in the development and administration of
a commitment to excellence for all. The
government, and that it is states' rightful
the tests. These tasks will be determined
ultimate irony in this continuing
role to develop standards and
by the National Assessment Governing
discourse is that, even if suddenly the
assessments to support student learning. I
Board, a group of 26 independent
resources became available, the critical
wholeheartedly agree. The seminal
individuals -not federal employees -
issue would remain: resources to learn
question that states must address is how
that also oversees NAEP. Furthermore,
what?
they define "challenging" and "rigorous."
the federal government will not collect
These two words should not have a
information on individual students.
The new millennium will require a
variety of definitions. Would it not make
Within 45 days of test administration,
highly educated citizenry and workforce.
sense to have a national and international
educators and parents will receive
As a nation, we cannot afford to leave
benchmark against which 50 states -
detailed information about students'
even one student behind. The urgency of
individually and collectively-ca assess
performance on the tests, including an
this national imperative is captured in a
the extent to which students meet
item-by-item analysis that will further
closing scene of the movie "Apollo 13,"
challenging learning outcomes? After all,
enhance the teaching-learning process.
when the flight commander cogently
reading is reading and math is math,
A new form of the test will be
warns the crew of a damaged space
regardless of where it is being taught.
developed by the test contractor each
capsule, "You have one hour to build a
The voluntary national tests are tools that
year. NAEP will place the "old test" on
filter, and failure is not an option."
districts and states should be given the
the Internet within 45 days of
Failure is not an option for America's
opportunity to use to measure whether
administration. So students, parents,
schools. But, as a nation, we have a
their students are meeting challenging
teachers, principals, and superintendents
dilemma. Simultaneously and to varying
standards.
can review the test's individual questions
degrees, all 50 states and a majority of
Unless there is a rigorous benchmark
and answers. The availability of an item
our 15,000 school districts are engaged in
against which states can accurately gauge
analysis of this type can be a useful tool
defining academic success and failure. In
what their students know and how well
for states, districts, schools, and
effect, the assessment of student progress
they know it, states will never really
classrooms to collectively and
is in the eyes of a multitude of beholders;
understand how high they have "raised
individually assess instructional strengths
one state or district's idea of success may
the bar" for student achievement. This
and address learning weaknesses. In turn,
be another state or district's lament over
challenge can be met by utilizing NAEP
this becomes an even more powerful tool
failure.
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38
Until there is a national resolve to
the teaching-learning process.
waves of grain. Voluntary national tests
articulate a vision of what students must
Without question, there are examples
represent tools that can help us reap the
know and be able to do in the core
throughout the nation's schools of
harvest of equity and excellence in our
academic subjects of reading and math,
high-quality assessment and challenging
schools.
parents, teachers, students, school boards,
academic standards. But if we are
Gerald N. Tirozzi is the assistant
and communities will only have access to
committed to academic success for all
secretary for elementary and secondary
a state and local interpretation of student
students, we cannot be content with the
education for the U.S. Department of
progress. Often, this limited view of
celebration of victory gardens when what
Education in Washington.
reality hinders the potential to improve
is truly needed is a commitment to amber
30. Education Week
August 4, 1998
What's Wrong With Bilingual Education? Repair It,
Don't Replace It
By Jerry Jesness
Dutch see Friesian children as students
unfortunately, these safeguards are
If bilingual education has been a
who need early instruction in two
weakly enforced and many students are
failure in the United States, it is not
languages. In addition, their polyglot
not appropriately placed. Because of this
because of its bilingual nature. A number
school administrators and policymakers
abuse of the system, bilingual classes
of foreign countries have done well with
understand the process of
sometimes become holding pens for
bilingual or multilingual education. The
second-language learning. Monolingual
poorly performing students.
Friesians of Holland receive their
American educators, however, are likely
elementary education in both Friesian
to see immigrant children merely as a
American schools aren't particularly
and Flemish. That simply means that by
disadvantaged group that must be held to
good places to learn languages. Few
the end of high school they will be
a lesser standard.
American students of foreign languages
expected to have mastered four languages
Placement in bilingual or ESL classes
(other than English) actually master
instead of three (Flemish, English, and
is not always strictly according to
them, at least not in school. Immigrant
German) like other Netherlanders.
language ability. In some schools on the
children tend to pick up English
Citizens of Luxembourg are educated in
U.S.-Mexican border, bilingualism is the
eventually, but not at a speed that would
their native language, plus French and
norm. Bilingual students are not,
impress European educators. ESL and
German. Lebanese schools prepare many
however,
necessarily
immersion programs have not necessarily
students to speak, read, write, and do
limited-English-proficient. Many are
been more successful than bilingual
business in both Arabic and French. Even
English dominant, and others are fully
education. There have been pockets of
the supposedly homogeneous Japanese
proficient in both languages. In some
success for each method, but none stands
have a form of bilingual education in
such schools, bright, well-behaved
head and shoulders above the others. It is
which dialect-speaking Japanese children
bilingual students get placed in regular
unfortunate that so many educators and
receive their earliest years of education
education, while their slower or more
politicians glorify one approach while
from teachers who understand their
troublesome peers find their ways into
demonizing the others. In reality, all three
dialect.
bilingual classes. Farther from the border,
are valid and can work if, and only if,
The political right has blamed the
even monolingual English-speaking
they are well implemented.
bilingual education establishment for
students with Hispanic surnames may
Immersion, the solution being touted
poor academic performance by Hispanic
find themselves with the LEP label. I
by conservative educators, will not solve
students. The political left has blamed
have taught a number of students who
all of the problems of LEP students. The
prejudice and poverty. While there may
were suddenly found to be
American public schools of years past,
be some truth in both allegations, there
limited-English-proficient after failing a
when non-English-speaking children
are other important factors that have not
semester or creating a major disruption in
sank or swam, yielded mixed results.
been adequately addressed. Part of the
a regular education class.
Although some immersed students did
problem both with bilingual education
Schools have benefited by artificially
quite well, others, unable to speak
and
English-as-a-second-language
inflating
their
numbers
of
English and forbidden to speak anything
instruction in the United States lies in our
limited-English-proficient students. Low
else, went mute daily from 8 a.m. to 3:30
unwillingness to treat English for
test scores can be explained away by
p.m. Teachers would "modify" for these
nonspeakers as an academic subject.
pointing to a high number of LEP
students by allowing them to mindlessly
Although
truly
students, so applying the LEP label to
copy phrases from textbook to worksheet
limited-English-proficient, or LEP,
low-performing students, even those who
or to review for tests with "study sheets"
students are children in need of
are English dominant, can make a school
that were in reality copies of upcoming
instruction in the English language,
appear statistically better than it really is.
tests with the answers filled in. They
schools often treat them as members of a
In some places, LEP students can even be
eventually absorbed enough English to
social caste, a group of helpless
exempted from standardized testing.
communicate, but missed out on
individuals in need of a warm, fuzzy
There are supposedly safeguards to
academics. Thanks to grade adjustment
environment created by caring but
prevent students from being mislabeled
and social promotion, such students
undemanding teachers. The polyglot
as limited-English-proficient, but,
managed to get through school
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39
conversant in English but barely literate
immersion education that gave rise to
in any language. It was the failings of
bilingual education.
Immersion works well for some
reading, may be reasonable as long as the
thousands of hours of contact with a
students, and needs to be at least a large
schools understand the situation and
second language in order to become
part of the program for all. Older
allow for more intensive reading
fluent. Bilingual programs that do not
students with a grasp of basic English
instruction when the student is ready.
recognize this deserve to be eliminated.
and the willingness to pore over their
Unfortunately, this is often not the case,
homework with dictionaries and
and students whose reading has been
It is never a good idea for educators to
grammar books benefit from such an
delayed because of language problems
stand on dogma. Bilingual education and
approach, especially if they have access
may end up being labeled slow learners
immersion need not be mutually
to someone who can explain and clarify
or learning-disabled. A major advantage
exclusive. If an immersion approach is to
difficult English concepts. The greater
of bilingual education is that it permits
be used, schools could still provide
the ratio of
native speakers to
students to learn to read at a
students with access to out-of-class tutors
nonspeakers, the more appropriate
developmentally appropriate age. These
who could give explanations in the
immersion becomes. One teacher cannot
early literacy skills will transfer over to
students' native language, or we could
truly immerse 30 students. When a tiny
English.
imitate the Japanese and allow beginning
handful of nonspeakers is spread
Worse than sink-or-swim, however, is
students to speak to their teachers in their
throughout a sea of English speakers,
stay-out-of-the-water-until-you-know-yo
native languages while requiring the
every activity becomes an English lesson.
u-can-swim. Bilingual education at its
teachers to respond in English. One daily
However, in communities in which most
worst allows students only very limited
period of native-language reading
people speak the child's native language,
contact with spoken English. I once had a
instruction could be offered to 1st and
opportunities to practice English in true
beginning ESL class made up of recent
2nd graders even if the rest of the day is
one-on-one conversations are few.
immigrants mixed with students from a
spent in total English immersion.
Younger students respond to
bilingual program like the one described
Bilingual programs would do well to
immersion better than older ones,
above. The bilingual students had been in
provide long periods of total English
especially if a large number of native
American schools from two to four years,
immersion as well as opportunities to
speakers surround the LEP child, but
but none had more than a rudimentary
interact with native speakers. Both
immersion of very young students can
command of English. By Christmas,
bilingual and immersion programs should
create a problem with reading. Children
some of the recent immigrants were
be held to accountability standards.
cannot read beyond their vocabularies, so
outperforming the ex-bilingual education
Bilingual education needs to be repaired,
those who are taught to read a language
students in both oral English and
but not necessarily replaced. Let us not
that they do not speak will not progress
academics. Obviously, these students had
replace the status quo with less effective
well.
been cheated out of both contact with and
programs.
If there is true immersion, the
instruction in English. A good bilingual
trade-off, more oral English but less
teacher realizes that a student needs
31. Education Week
August 4, 1998
What's Wrong With Bilingual Education? Is It
'Lingual,' or Is It 'Education'?
By Raul Yzaguirre
pronouncements. In the section on
promote bilingualism should do so
If someone had only read news
literacy, the NRC's carefully worded
without fear of negative consequences.
coverage of the Ron Unz initiative that
finding on bilingual education states:
English-language learners who develop
passed resoundingly on June 2 of this
"Schools have the responsibility to
their native-language proficiency do not
year (the so-called "English for the
accommodate the linguistic needs of
compromise their acquisition of English."
Children" California ballot proposition
students with limited proficiency in
Even more dramatic was the report
which all but mandates the end of
English. These children should be
from Jay P. Greene of the University of
bilingual education), one would think
taught how to read in their native
Texas at Austin, who did a meta-analysis
that bilingual education was an
language while acquiring proficiency in
of all the research done on bilingual
educationally unsound concept doomed
spoken English, and then subsequently
education. Mr. Greene is not an educator
to failure. Yet just in the last few months,
taught to extend their skills to reading in
and therefore has neither a predetermined
three well-regarded reports were released
English."
agenda nor any claims to expertise on the
that give a resounding educationally
Another recently released NRC study,
subject. He is, however, an expert in the
based endorsement of bilingual
"Educating
Language-Minority
field of ensuring statistical and
education.
Children," conducted in conjunction with
methodological validity in research.
The first was "Preventing Reading
the National Institute of Medicine, found:
Using rigorous standards, Mr. Greene
Difficulties in Young Children" by the
"Bilingualism, far from impeding the
found that the research evidence was
National Research Council, a respected
child's overall cognitive or linguistic
overwhelmingly in favor of bilingual
organization with unassailable research
development, leads to positive growth in
education as the best way to educate
standards that is not given to unfounded
these areas. Prógrams whose goals are to
limited-English-proficient, or LEP,
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40
children.
education, both as an educational strategy
the debate is either uninformed, naive, or
These three reports, taken together,
and as the best way to make sure that
both.
should end any question about the
proficiency in English is achieved. But
effectiveness and worth of bilingual
anybody who believes that this will end
Although I have been an observer of
millions of what we now call "white
familiar to us, which in the case of
and a participant in this debate for years,
ethnics" assimilated into this society, and
language are overwhelmingly about
it took me a long time to understand why
the process became a source of pride to
problems, controversies, and feuds. Even
there is so much passion and so little
them.
if the analogy does not apply, too many
rational discussion on this issue. What I
For others, particularly Native
of us believe that it does. After talking to
realized is that while 1 and other
Americans and Hispanics whose roots in
dozens of Canadians familiar with the
proponents of bilingual education were
this country predated the British, the
Quebec separatist movement, I have yet
talking about education, others were
trade-off was not perceived to be so
to find one who believes that Hispanics
really talking about language policy.
equitable. To those who had not gone
in the United States are remotely like
And while education philosophy is
through the psychological experience of
French-speaking Quebecers. For one
hardly emotion-free, language policy and
crossing an ocean and leaving family and
thing, the Francophone separatists and
practice affects us in a very personal way.
other ties behind them for greater
the hard-line Anglo opponents of
It gets at the core of the kind of society
opportunities, the idea of having to give
French-language rights are both opposed
we want or are likely to have. And since
up something so personal and so defining
to bilingual education. It is the "One
the debate on bilingual education should
as language and culture for a society that
Canada" leadership that promotes
now be over, let us then have a
did not accept them even when they did
bilingualism in the name of unity. But
discussion on language.
speak English, the trade-off was
how often do you hear about countries
fraudulent and demeaning. Thus,
where people speak different languages
The debate over language has at least
intellectuals, activists, and other leaders
and enjoy peace and prosperity, as is the
three aspects to it: language as a problem,
from these groups and others reacted by
case in Switzerland and other countries?
language as a right, and language as a
raising the issue of language rights.
Peace and comity do not make the
resource and/or a reality. For many years,
There are many ethnic Americans who
evening news.
educators saw language -or rather any
lament that their ancestors were put
language other than English as the
through this pressure cooker that passed
Which brings us to a third way of
primary or only language spoken by
for a melting pot and that deprived them
understanding language: language as a
children attending school a problem.
of their heritage. More vocal and more
powerful national resource. During
I use the term "problem" rather than
prominent, however, are Americans,
World War II, America profited
challenge deliberately. It was not simply
particularly some white ethnic
enormously from U.S. citizens who spoke
a question of the practicality of adding
Americans, who are incensed with the
other
languages
well.
English to whatever language the child
idea of language as a "right," particularly
German-Americans, Italian-Americans,
brought to the class to assure a common
if the notion is that this right should be
and even Japanese-Americans from our
means of communication. Rather, it was a
paid for by their taxes. How many times
own internment camps served our
question of instilling in immigrant
have we heard, "My grandfather came to
country honorably and gallantly and were
children, so far as it can be done, the
America not knowing a word of English
an asset in helping American forces
objective of "absolute forgetfulness of all
and nobody helped him," or, "We were
understand the Axis powers. Navajo
obligations, or connections with other
taught to learn English and nothing but
Indians known as the "code talkers" were
countries because of descent or birth," as
English was spoken in front of us." Even
assigned to different units to facilitate
the superintendent of schools in New
some Hispanics, who had been forced to
communications without fear of the
York City noted in 1918.
give up some of their birth language and
enemy breaking the code. In fact, it was
Therefore, any language other than
heritage, became the staunchest
the only code not deciphered by the Axis
English was neither positive nor benign.
supporters of this notion. Indeed,
powers.
It was a "problem" to be washed away,
"contrarians" like the commentators
There exists an enormous
and led to a process which obliterated
Richard Rodriguez and Linda Chavez
contradiction in this country. On the one
that other language because it represented
have been given far more publicity and
hand, the National Governors'
a threat to the nation, or at least, to those
coverage than mainstream Latino leaders
Association unanimously agreed last year
who did not understand that language.
for embracing this "philosophy." Mr.
that the United States should make
And if the child failed to keep up with his
Rodriguez once went so far as to argue
foreign-language acquisition a priority in
or her peers, so be it; there were always
that it is great for non-Latinos to learn
our schools, given the fact that we are the
factory and field jobs that did not require
and speak Spanish but not Hispanics.
industrialized world's most linguistically
literacy but only the ability to understand
It is precisely folks who equate
ignorant nation. On the other hand, as a
the verbal commands of their bosses. At a
bilingual education with an effort to
recent Washington Post headline summed
time when universal literacy was only a
preserve, or worse, demand the right to,
it up: "California Rejection a Big Blow to
dream even for native-born Americans
their own language that are most rabidly
Bilingualism." I believe this contradiction
and when there were a plentiful number
against bilingual education. Language as
exists because the debate over
of union factory jobs that allowed a
a right, or more precisely a minority
bilingualism has been about language
hard-working person with drive and
language as a right, conjures up images
policy and not about education.
determination the opportunity to work,
of a Quebec-style divisiveness and the
Let me be clear: I believe learning
buy a home, and send his and her kids to
possible Balkanization of the country.
English is a must for every American. If
college, this might have made some
That, of course, is precisely the issue
anyone doubts my word, I would ask
sense. It was the process by which
-the tendency to draw analogies that are
them to visit any of the 100 or so
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41
National Council of La Raza affiliates
lead our country into wasting such a
children English, which research shows is
that provide English-language training to
valuable natural resource as a population
bilingual education.
tens of thousands of Latinos each year.
that already speaks a multitude of
But it is equally unconscionable to allow
languages. It is also wrong not to use the
the debate over bilingual education to
best method available to teach LEP
Raul Yzaguirre is the president of the
La Raza, the nation's largest Hispanic
policy analyst Raul Gonzalez assisted in
Washington-based National Council of
civil rights organization. Education
the preparation of this essay.
32. Education Week
August 4, 1998
More Parents Want Charters, Ed. Dept. Study
Concludes
Parent demand for charter schools has
Fewer than one in 20 charter schools
accountability for student results. ("ED
grown, but the schools continue to face
has closed voluntarily, merged with
Study
Paints Portrait of Charter
such obstacles as a lack of start-up funds
others, or been shut down, the report
Schools," June 4, 1997.)
and inadequate facilities, a report from
says.
Later reports will address issues such
the U.S. Department of Education says.
While most charter schools are
as what impact charter schools have had
Nationwide, the department counted
similar to their districts in the racial and
on student achievement and on public
693 charters running in 23 states and the
economic
backgrounds of their
education as a whole.
District of Columbia in the 1997-98
students, it says, about one-third are
The department late last month also
school year, taking into account school
more likely to serve poor and minority
released a guide for chartering entities
closures. The school tally jumps to about
students.
that outlines such tasks as devising solid
780 when counting as separate schools
The report issued last month is the
evaluation criteria for reviewing charter
Arizona's multibranch charter schools. In
second installment in a four-year study
applicants, conducting background
the 1997-98 school year, 279 new charter
of such public schools, which operate
checks of applicants, and managing an
schools opened their doors, according to
without some state
and local
appeals process.
the report.
regulations in exchange for greater
33. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Predominantly Black Charters Focus of Debate in N.C.
By Lynn Schnaiberg
drawn on the basis of race or ethnicity.
'Fear of Resegregation'
When North Carolina lawmakers
While many states' charter laws aim to
For now, the state's charter schools are
opened the door to charter schools in
encourage racial diversity, North
operating against a shifting landscape.
1996, critics predicted a rush of "white
Carolina's is relatively prescriptive,
In July, the state school board voted to
flight" schools would follow.
experts say. Neighboring South Carolina,
allow a statewide charter school advisory
It seems precisely the opposite has
which has one of the nation's strictest
committee to determine on a
happened. Of the 33 charters that are up
racial-balance rules for its charter
school-by-school basis whether a charter
and running, a dozen have student
schools, has confronted similar issues.
school's racial imbalance is justified and
populations that are more than 85 percent
("Racial Makeup at Issue In S.C. Charter
what action, if any, the state should take.
black.
Debate," April 30, 1997.)
The Raleigh-based North Carolina
Many state charter school supporters
North Carolina law says that within a
Foundation for Individual Rights, a
say that as long as the schools produce
year after a charter opens, its enrollment
conservative nonprofit legal group, plans
positive academic results -and do not
"shall reasonably reflect" the racial and
to file a lawsuit to block the state from
not intentionally block students based on
ethnic composition of the general
enforcing the law's racial-balance
their race -those figures should not be
population within the countywide district
provision.
cause for alarm.
boundaries or the district's racial and
And a bill is moving through the
But North Carolina law suggests
ethnic composition.
legislature that would soften the
otherwise, and a debate has ensued over
Supporters fear the state's
provision to require only that schools
whether -or how -the racial-balance
predominantly black charter schools may
make a "good faith effort" toward
provision of the charter school law
be forced to close. "It's a scary and
achieving diversity.
should be enforced. State policymakers
confusing time for these schools," said
But both critics and supporters of the
have spent months trying to resolve the
Roger A. Gerber, the president of the
proposed change say it is unlikely to
issue in a legal and political climate that
Association of North Carolina Charter
survive the legislative process.
looks with growing suspicion at policies
Schools.
While the state wrestles with the issue,
steps to take as the next school year
director of the legal group challenging
charter schools are not sure what, if any,
approaches, said Jack Daly, the executive
the state law.
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42
He points to one such school that last
students.
organizers wrote their charter, they never
year held separate enrollment lotteries for
Close to 49 percent of North
expected they would draw anything but a
blacks and whites in order to strike racial
Carolina's charter school students are
mixed student population. But the search
balance. Such action amounts to an
black. In the state's public schools as a
for an affordable building led them to a
illegal racial quota system, he contends.
whole, 31 percent of students are black.
poor and mostly black neighborhood in
State board President Phillip J. Kirk
Roughly half a dozen of the state's
Durham.
Jr. said he opposes shutting down the
charter schools are predominantly white,
Although the organizers tried to talk
charter schools and points out that there
but many reflect their surrounding
the 40 white students who had signed up
are nearly all-white or all-black
communities in the rural western areas of
last year into staying, they all withdrew,
traditional public schools in the state.
the state, according to Grova L. Bridgers,
he said.
"I don't think charters were intended
who oversees charter schools for the state
The vast majority of Healthy Start
to resegregate the schools," he said.
education department.
students come from the neighborhood. Of
Jane P. Norwood, a state board
Experts point to myriad reasons for
the 320 pupils in grades K-3, four are
member and a professor at Appalachian
the
high
percentage
of
white. Mr. Williams said he hopes that
State University's school of education in
African-Americans in charter schools,
more white families will give the school a
Boone, said she is undecided on the
too. Many of the predominantly black
chance once they see the students'
issue.
charter schools are in majority-black
impressive test gains.
"I have a definite fear of
neighborhoods in large cities like Raleigh
But the former New York state school
resegregation. I am old enough to
and Durham, and some were launched by
administrator, who is white, said his top
remember 'separate but equal' in this
black community leaders.
priority his parents' priority a
state," she said. "But I believe in freedom
"People aren't fleeing the public
high-quality education. True integration,
of choice to a certain extent. It's a real
schools because of race," Mr. Gerber
he argued, comes from the upward
dilemma."
said. "They're fleeing to what they think
economic mobility gained through
Seeking 'Good Schools'
are good schools. And they are
education. "I hear parents say: 'My kid is
A recent U.S. Department of
unsatisfied with what they've been getting
reading a year above grade level. And I
Education study found that most charter
in traditional public schools."
don't care whether he's sitting next to a
schools are similar to their districts' racial
Balancing Goals
white student or not.
and ethnic breakdowns, but about a third
Tom Williams, the director of Healthy
are more likely to serve minority
Start Academy, said that when the school
34. Education Week
August 4, 1998
N.Y. To Require Accreditation For Ed. Schools
By Jessica L. Sandham
one or more required certification exams
into them."
Colleges and schools of education in
beginning next year.
Two Options
New York state are taking a hard look at
The mandate comes even as the
The regents' new rules allow schools
teacher-exam pass rates and accreditation
regents move to make existing
two accreditation options: accreditation
requirements following the state's recent
certification exams on teaching skills and
through a nationally recognized
adoption of stricter teacher education
liberal arts knowledge more difficult, and
professional body; or accreditation by the
standards.
as they require all new teachers to pass a
regents themselves, which would be
The New York board of regents last
third exam that will gauge their expertise
based on the recommendations of a
month passed a set of reforms geared
in a specific content area or specialty.
professional-standards board that the
toward improving the quality of the
Adoption of the new standards should
state board is in the process of forming.
state's teaching force. Among the
push universities that skimp on their
To date, only four of the state's 113
changes, which range from strengthening
teacher education programs, sometimes
teacher education programs are
professional-development standards to
to the benefit of other disciplines, to wise
accredited through the Washington-based
overhauling teacher-review processes, the
up to the need to allot more resources to
National Council for Accreditation of
regents now will require that all public
teacher training, said regent Saul B.
Teacher Education, which is currently the
and private higher education institutions
Cohen, who served on the task force that
only
established
professional
attain accreditation for their teacher
initially proposed the teacher reforms.
accreditation association for schools of
education programs by Dec. 31, 2004.
"Right now, schools of education are
education. A second group, the Teacher
Under the new standards, the state
cash cows for the universities," Mr.
Education Accreditation Council, also
also retains the right to shut down, or
Cohen said. "If universities want their
located in Washington, is planning to
"deregister," schools of education where
schools of education to be accredited,
begin reviewing teacher training
fewer than 80 percent of graduates pass
they're going to have to put more money
programs within two years.
Schools of education in New York
private institution in Garden City.
coming," Ms. Sands said. "Schools of
have steered away from trying to obtain
Despite the expense, which runs into
education need to meet a higher
NCATE certification because of the
the thousands, many of those heading
professional standard of excellence."
direct and indirect costs of the process,
education schools in New York
State Aid Sought
said Elaine Sands, the dean of the
understand that the regents' move to
Still, some education officials
education school at Adelphi University, a
demand accreditation was "a long time
expressed concern that the required
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43
accreditation and an 80 percent pass rate
National Education Association.
new teacher with at least one year of
on teacher exams will be economically
"If the state isn't committed to
state-financed mentoring;
unattainable for the state's public
providing quality teacher education
A requirement that all teachers
institutions, unless they receive an
programs in their institutions, how can
certified after Sept. I, 2000, complete
infusion of new state money.
private institutions be expected to do it?"
175 hours of professional development
The situation appears particularly dire
Mr. Nash said.
every five years to renew their licenses;
for the City University of New York.
Like other aspects of the regents' plan
The creation of an incentive program
Only two of CUNY's 10 branches that
that hinge on state funding, any increased
designed to attract teachers to
offer teacher education attained an 80
aid for public institutions would require
hard-to-staff
schools
through
percent pass rate on each of the required
legislative approval.
scholarships and a $10,000 bonus to
teacher certification exams in 1996-97.
Other highlights of the plan include:
certified teachers who agree to work for
School districts are depending on the
A gradual phasing out of all
three years in high-need areas; and
teacher education programs in the New
temporary, or emergency, teacher
The establishment of a teacher-review
York state and New York City systems to
licensures by 2003;
process in which teachers who are judged
help produce some of the hundreds of
A requirement that all incoming
to be unsatisfactory will be given the
thousands of new teachers they will need
teachers obtain a master's degree within
opportunity to improve through a
to hire in the next several years, said
the first two years of entering the
district-created
teacher-improvement
Gregory Nash, the president of
classroom;
plan.
NEA-New York, the state affiliate of the
A provision that would provide every
35. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Senate OKs HEA Bill That Would Streamline Teacher
Ed.
By Julie Blair
Senate measure in intent, the House bill
of K-12 classes taught by educators in
Washington
would consolidate current programs into
their areas of expertise and to hire teacher
Members of the House and Senate are
only one grant to states. It also proposes
candidates who integrate technology into
set to reconcile their competing plans to
that 70 percent of the federal funds go to
the classroom.
ensure new teachers are well prepared for
local partnerships and only 30 percent to
"You can't realistically expect
the classroom.
states.
students' performance to improve unless
In voting 96-1 to renew the Higher
The differences will be taken up by a
you also focus on those doing the
Education Act for five years, the Senate
House-Senate conference committee.
teaching," Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., a
last month accepted a proposal that
When the committee will go to work has
member of the Labor and Human
would authorize $300 million over five
yet to be determined.
Relations Committee who lobbied for
years in competitive grants to improve
Legislators in both houses are "all on
improved teacher accountability, said in a
teacher education and recruitment
the same page with wanting to do the
recent interview. "The more academic
programs.
right thing," said Amy Wilkins, a senior
instruction we have the better our
Specifically, it would consolidate the
associate with the Education Trust, a
teaching corps will be."
federal government's myriad teacher
nonprofit organization in Washington
The plan also would offer incentives
education initiatives into two grant
that advocates high standards and equity
to teach in needy districts by forgiving up
programs. The bill calls for allocating
in education. "The real question is: Will
to $8,000 in student loans for those who
$150 million to states to reform their
people be able to overcome pride of
did so.
teacher preparation requirements. The
authorship in exchange for really good
"This is the strongest piece of the
other $150 million would be used for
policy?"
entire bill," said Penelope Earley, the
partnerships between universities and
Focus on Teachers
senior director for the Washington-based
disadvantaged schools to upgrade the
The newly passed Senate bill aims to
American Association of Colleges for
quality of teaching.
raise state standards for teachers, boost
Teacher Education. "There have been a
In May, the House approved its own
their assessment scores, and create
number of reports showing a teacher
version of the HEA reauthorization,
opportunities
for
professional
shortage. We want to make sure there are
414-4, calling for $18.5 million a year for
development. It would require states that
enough teachers and that they are well
teacher training. While similar to the
accept funding to increase the percentage
prepared."
The Senate bill does not mention
Sally Mernissi, vice president of the
costs of higher education.
funding for the National Board for
Southfield, Mich.-based board.
Under both the House and Senate
Professional Teaching Standards, which
Despite the HEA proposals, however,
plans, the interest rate on federally
offers voluntary certification for
funding could survive in a separate
subsidized student loans would drop to
educators who meet high standards. The
appropriations bill, David Bryant, a
6.8 percent from the current 7.6 percent
House bill, however, would eliminate
senior associate for government relations
for students still in school, and to 7.4
federal funding for the organization. In
with the National Education Association
percent from the current 8.2 percent after
fiscal 1998, the NBPTS received $18.5
in Washington, said in an interview.
graduation.
million from the federal government, said
The bill also sets parameters on the
Supporters note that the decrease
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
44
would save students substantial amounts
and Budget estimated the bill would
Education last month cut interest rates
of money. But opponents -including
provide $2.4 billion in subsidies during
for students who consolidate their direct
President Clinton -say it would allow
the five-year time frame to make up for
student loans with federally guaranteed
lenders to collect billions in federal
the difference in interest rates.
student loans by Sept. 30. A student with
subsidies because the government would
Other provisions in the bill include
a $1,000 loan who consolidates will save
pay the lenders to continue in the
increasing the maximum annual Pell
about $50, said Jane Glickman, a
student-lending business, which banks
Grant for needy college students. By
spokeswoman for the department.
contend is unprofitable at the lower
2003-2004, awards will be worth $5,800.
interest rate. The Office of Management
Separately, the Department of
36. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Future Shape of E-Rate Program In State of Flux on
Capitol Hill
By Mary Ann Zehr
choose a system to filter out any
Accounting Office presented its report on
Washington
objectionable Internet material such as
how the Schools and Libraries Corp., the
The fate of the E-rate remains
pornography before receiving any E-rate
agency administering the E-rate program,
uncertain on Capitol Hill, where
money. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and
was handling its "integrity operations."
Congress is weighing a proposal that
Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., introduced
Sen. McCain, the chairman of the
could change the program dramatically.
the amendment.
committee, had asked the congressional
Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and
Undue Scrutiny?
investigatory office to make sure that the
Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, R-La., have
The appropriations bill also includes
SLC had adequate procedures to prevent
advanced legislation that would use a
language overriding an earlier
waste, fraud, and abuse.
third -or about $1.7 billion per year
amendment that would have prohibited
Among other things, GAO officials
of the current 3 percent telephone excise
schools and libraries from applying to the
said they were concerned that an
tax to pay for "telecommunications and
Commerce
Department's
independent audit of the corporation had
related services" in schools and libraries.
Telecommunications and Information
been scheduled for completion after
Their companion bills, introduced in
Infrastructure Assistance Program. The
funds would already be committed to
both the House and the Senate on July
new amendment says schools and
applicants.
23, propose getting rid of the E-rate and
libraries would be eligible for TIIAP
During the hearing, Ira Fishman, the
replacing it with a five-year program of
money in fiscal 1999, but only for
executive director of the SLC, committed
block grants to states. The program
purposes other than those served through
to complying with all of the GAO's
would be administered by the Department
the
E-rate.
("Panel
Cuts
recommendations on running the
of
Commerce's
National
Technology-Grant Program," July 8,
program.
Telecommunications and Information
1998.)
After repeatedly being asked by Mr.
Administration.
Complaints that the E-rate is
McCain to say when the SLC could start
The 30,000-plus applications
undergoing an unusual amount of
paying for E-rate applications, Mr.
submitted by schools and libraries for
examination for a new government
Fishman estimated that money would
1998 education-rate discounts for
program arose during a July 16 hearing in
start flowing "sometime early this fall."
telecommunications services would be
the Senate Commerce, Science, and
In response to congressional pressure,
transferred to the new program,
Transportation Committee.
the
Federal
Communications
according to Ben O'Connell, a
"I don't know of any other program
Commission has already dramatically
spokesman for Sen. Burns.
that has been created in less than a year
scaled back the E-rate program for 1998
On the same day that the
and received such scrutiny and review,"
applications, promising to give out $1.9
Burns-Tauzin proposal was introduced,
said Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, a
billion over 18 months instead of $2.3
the Senate passed the appropriations bill
co-sponsor of the E-rate provision
billion over a year, as was first
for the departments of Commerce, State,
contained in the Telecommunications Act
anticipated.
and Justice with an amendment that
of 1996.
would require all schools and libraries to
Also during the hearing, the General
Congressional challenges to the
E-rate program. At the same time, MCI
report will put questions about the
program were stepped up when AT&T
put a 5 percent charge and Sprint Corp.
program to bed.
Corp. and MCI Communications Corp.
put a 4.5 percent charge on residential
"There's absolutely no reason these
announced in May that they would put a
phone bills for universal service.
discounts can't start going out to children
surcharge on residential phone bills for
Spokesmen for AT&T, MCI, and Sprint
[in schools], and anyone who is trying to
the cost of universal service, which
deny charges from E-rate advocates that
say more measures need to be put in
includes the cost of the E-rate.
their companies also are lobbying
place is just trying to delay the program,"
On July 1, AT&T put a charge of 93
Congress to kill or stall the E-rate.
Michelle Richards, the director of federal
cents per month for universal service on
E-rate supporters monitoring the
programs for the National School Boards
residential phone bills; the company
E-rate program say they hope the SLC's
Association, said during a recent
estimates about 23 cents will go to the
commitment to comply with the GAO
pro-E-rate rally on the Capitol lawn.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
45
37. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Contractor Gets More Time To Write National Test
Items
By David J. Hoff
known
as
NAGB
-stop
test
evaluating its work suggested changes.
Washington
development by Sept. 30.
In a July 15 letter to Secretary of
The independent panel designing
The Senate included the same
Education Richard W. Riley, the
President Clinton's proposed voluntary
language as an amendment to a bill
National Research Council said NAGB's
national tests is juggling its development
creating tax incentives for K-12
schedule did not leave enough time for
schedule even as Republicans in
education savings. When the test
the American Institutes for Research, the
Congress are moving to stop its work.
language was dropped from that bill in a
lead contractor for the project, to prepare
The National Assessment Governing
conference committee, Speaker of the
the 2,600 questions needed for the pilot
Board announced last month that it will
House Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and Senate
tests.
give its contractors extra time to write
Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.,
The nrc's experts in June reviewed 105
questions for pilot tests.
promised they would put a stop to
questions and determined that about half
The changes eat into the board's time
NAGB's work on the new tests in the
needed significant revisions before they
to review more than 2,000 potential items
fiscal 1999 appropriations bill.
could be approved for pilot-testing.
for the proposed 4th grade reading and
President Clinton eventually vetoed
While that proportion isn't extraordinary
8th grade mathematics assessments. But
the tax bill. He has announced his
for a test in the early stages of
board members won't delay the schedule
opposition to the House appropriations
development, the experts for the private
that calls for pilot testing in March and
bill based on its numbers alone. Last
council created by congressional charter
for the exams to be ready by the spring of
year, he threatened several times to veto a
thought NAGB's time line was
2001.
fiscal 1998 spending bill that would have
insufficient for the contractor.
If GOP leaders have their way, the
halted his testing plan, but the
Deliberation Curtailed
work will never get to that point. The
administration negotiated a compromise
In response, NAGB will free up time
fiscal 1999 spending bill approved by the
that allowed test development to continue
for the contractor by cutting back on the
House Appropriations Committee last
for fiscal 1998, which ends Sept. 30.
time the board spends deliberating on the
month included no money for ongoing
Despite the outside debate, NAGB is
items.
work on the tests and prohibits the
working as if it will have the money and
Mark D. Musick, the board's
Department of Education or the
authority to proceed with its work on the
chairman, said NAGB will hire experts to
governing board from spending money
tests.
review potential test questions and decide
from other accounts on the project.
The bipartisan panel of politicians,
how well they measure students' ability to
Republican Roadblock
educators, and community leaders -
perform on the proficiency levels of the
Stopping the proposed tests is a top
whose primary task is overseeing the
existing national assessment, the
priority for congressional Republicans.
separate National Assessment of
sampling of student performance that
The House early this year passed a bill
Educational Progress -altered its
would be the basis of the new tests.
demanding that the governing board -
schedule last month after experts
38. Education Week
August 4, 1998
GOP Report Underscores Two Views on Federal Role
By Joetta L. Sack
academics.
session. But, assuming that Republicans
Washington
With Congress scheduled to recess
retain control in the 106th Congress, both
The ingredients of the Republican
this month and adjourn for good in early
could lay the groundwork for next year's
recipe for federal education policy have
October, the Republicans have already
anticipated reauthorization of the
resurfaced in recent weeks, through the
begun working on related legislation, and
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
release of a long-awaited report and new
one bill that follows their agenda -the
and its related K-12 programs.
initiatives designed to reduce federal
proposed Dollars to the Classroom Act
"What we have learned should
bureaucracy.
-may be voted on shortly after the
concern every American," Mr. Hoekstra,
Unveiling their "Education at a
August recess.
the Michigan Republican who chairs the
Crossroads" report in July, Rep. Peter
The report and the Dollars to the
House subcommittee on oversight and
Hoekstra and fellow Republicans offered
Classroom legislation -which would
investigations for education and
a formula for public schools with roots in
merge funding for 31 federal education
workforce issues, said in announcing the
the GOP education agenda: block grants
programs into one block grant -are
report's findings at a July 16 news
and fewer federal rules, more parental
likely to be merely symbolic works given
conference. "We found little evidence
involvement, and back-to-basics
the relatively little time left in this year's
proving the effectiveness of federal
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
46
programs."
contend that it would unravel
The report contains a transcript of Mr.
Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
accountability in federal funding. If
Riley's testimony at a Washington
of Georgia was among the GOP
enacted, the measure would create a
hearing last year, in which he was unable
lawmakers at the briefing.
federal education block grant with few
to provide the exact number of federal
Trading Charges
rules on how states and schools use the
education programs.
Members of Mr. Hoekstra's
money. Many education groups -
The GOP puts that total at 760, while
subcommittee spent more than two years
including the Council of Chief State
the Education Department says federal
traveling across the country, mainly to
School Officers -also oppose the
education programs number fewer than
members' home districts, to visit schools
measure.
200.
and talk with local officials about the
"The whole idea of collecting money
The two sides also squabbled over the
effectiveness of federal initiatives. The
from taxpayers and sending it back
amount of federal school funding that
"Crossroads" report, which Mr. Hoekstra
without any establishment of needs,
reaches the classroom. Mr. Hoekstra
called "the most comprehensive review of
goals, or criteria of admission is simply
maintained that it's no more than 65 to 70
federal education programs undertaken
not acceptable," Ms. Mink said.2
cents out of every dollar, while the
by Congress," was first scheduled for
The same debate surfaced in the
Clinton administration says it is more
release late last year. ("Value of Two
Senate Labor and Human Resources
than 95 percent.
GOP Education Probes Debated, March
Committee late last month, as the panel
The Washington-based American
18, 1998.)
approved a measure that would expand
Association of University Women also
Upon the report's release, House
an experimental program that gives states
gave the report a thumbs-down. The
Democrats quickly blasted its
some freedom from federal regulations
AAUW released a poll of 600
conclusions, and claimed they were shut
for education programs. The bill, S 2213,
Democratic,
Republican,
and
out of the planning process for the study
would expand the "Ed Flex" program
independent women voters that showed
and the 22 hearings associated with it.
from the 12 states where it is allowed
they favored a strong federal role in
"It was more or less set out with an
now to all 50 states.
education. The "Crossroads" report "flies
objective in mind," said Rep. Patsy Mink,
More immediately, "Education at a
in the face of what the majority of women
D-Hawaii, the ranking Democrat on the
Crossroads" highlights the gulf between
voters want," said the AAUW's executive
subcommittee. "I don't think there was
the Republican take on federal policy and
director, Janice Weinman.
any effort to balance the witnesses."
that of the Clinton administration.
Ms. Weinman attended Mr. Hoekstra's
"That's baloney," Mr. Hoekstra
Debating the Facts
news conference to announce the report,
responded in an interview. He charged
"The contents of this report are riddled
and the Republicans there told her that
that Democrats had refused to participate
with inaccuracies, and its
voters should first and foremost focus on
in the process and were usually given 30
recommendations again fail to address
the quality of federal programs rather
to 60 days' notice of scheduled hearings.
the most critical needs of America's
than the quantity.
The Dollars to the Classroom Act
students, teachers, and schools,"
debate, meanwhile, is also likely to spark
Secretary of Education Richard W.
fierce opposition from Democrats, who
Riley said.
39. Education Week
August 4, 1998
House Spending Bill Takes Conservative Line
By Joetta L. Sack
Republican leadership, it includes
initiatives on education reform, on
Washington
language that would bar federal funding
raising educational achievement for our
Under the cloud of a threatened
for the development or implementation of
children, and on providing focused help
presidential veto and sharp discord
new national tests, continuing a
for students who need it most."
among its members, the House may vote
hard-fought battle over one of President
The GOP faults Mr. Clinton for
this week on a restrained education
Clinton's education priorities.
counting on funding from a stalled
spending bill with implications well
Conservative Appeal
tobacco settlement to support new K-12
beyond dollars and cents.
In many ways, the appropriations bill
initiatives in his budget proposal, and for
The proposal, which passed the
is a bow to conservative Republicans,
not proposing budget cuts to offset his
Appropriations Committee on a
who say they have been shortchanged by
new expenditures on class-size reduction
party-line vote July 14, would hold total
their party in recent years. Already, the
and other efforts. Last week,
funding for Department of Education
package is provoking strong reactions.
Appropriations Committee Chairman
programs to $32.9 billion, up 2.5 percent
In a move that was unusual so early in
Robert L. Livingston, R-La., sent a
from fiscal 1998's $32.1 billion
the budget process, Mr. Clinton told the
strongly written letter to the White House
allotment.
House Appropriations Committee before
demanding that officials there quickly
It would let states use funding from
its vote that, unless significant changes
send "real and do-able" funding
the Goals 2000 school reform program
were made, he would veto the measure.
alternatives in order for the House to
and the Eisenhower Professional
"The bill is fundamentally flawed,"
consider paying for any of the
Development grants as block grants for
Mr. Clinton said in a statement. "It cuts
administration's proposed initiatives.
education reform with few restrictions on
$2 billion from our request for
The House committee's proposal
spending. And, as promised by the
educational investment, short-changing
would increase spending for GOP
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
47
priorities such as special education state
"They're going to have a hell of a time
but it has been made infinitely more
grants, which would see a 5.8 percent
getting the moderate votes," predicted
difficult."
boost, to $4.82 billion; and the Chapter
Andrew Rotherham, a legislative
But Republican leaders did not seem
VI block grant, which gives aid directly
specialist with the American Association
troubled. "This bill will pass. A version
to schools with few strings attached,
of School Administrators in Arlington,
of this bill will be signed into law, and
which would get a $50 million increase,
Va. "There's a lot in that bill that gives a
life will go on," Mr. Livingston said, also
to a total of $400 million.
lot of people reason not to like it."
during the hearing.
The bill would also hold funding for
Hitting Existing Programs
Republicans on the Appropriations
Title I grants at the current level of $7.5
The Committee for Education
Committee pointed out that the tight
billion and sharply cut some of Mr.
Funding, a Washington-based coalition
constraints of last year's balanced-budget
Clinton's favorite initiatives. For
of education groups that lobbies for
agreement were agreed to by both parties,
instance, Education Department
increases in federal school aid, blasted
and that Republicans were working to
funding for school-to-work programs
the measure as "inadequate and harmful."
eliminate or cut programs that they
would drop from $200 million to $75
The bill is unusual in the amount of
believe are ineffective or not a federal
million. The school-to-work initiative
language it contains that would alter
responsibility.
also receives funds in the Department of
existing programs, such as the Goals
"We have to make choices," said Rep.
Labor budget. Mr. Clinton had requested
2000: Educate America Act.
John Edward Porter, the Illinois
$125 million in education money for the
"This bill probably, more than any
Republican who chairs the education
program, which is scheduled to be phased
other, defines the differences in
appropriations subcommittee.
out by fiscal 2000.
priorities" between the two parties, Rep.
The Senate Appropriations Committee
Whether the conservative Republicans
David R. Obey, D-Wis., the
is expected to write and vote quickly on
who have driven the budget-writing
Appropriations Committee's ranking
its spending plan when Congress returns
process this year have the votes to get
Democrat, said shortly before the panel's
Sept. 8.
their bill passed in the full House is an
vote. "This bill was never going to be
open question.
easy, because of the budget constraints,
40. Education Week
August 4, 1998
District Holding Some Notes in Assault Case
By Jessica Portner
the age of consent for sex. The four
County, Mich.
The Grosse Pointe, Mich., school
defendants were all 18 or 19 at the time.
But Mark McInerney, a lawyer for the
system has refused to surrender certain
If convicted, they could face up to 15
8,500-student district, said that the school
notes in a rape investigation involving
years in prison.
system is trying to satisfy the statute, not
district students, saying state law
Mr. Granger's lawyer, William
obstruct the prosecution. The 1961
prohibits school officials from releasing
Bufalino, said last week that his client
Michigan law says that "confidential
records of conversations between
"categorically denies having sexual
communication with teachers and
students and staff members.
intercourse [with the accusers] or not to
administrators and behavioral records
Education law experts say such a state
the level these young girls imagined."
cannot be released without parents' or
law has rarely been used to prevent the
Mr. Granger and the other defendants
students' OK," he said.
release of student-staff communications
have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Interviews with a student have the
in criminal cases.
Additional Records
same protection as a person's discussions
According to the district's lawyer,
In a preliminary hearing last month in
with a doctor or a priest and must be kept
Caryn Wells, the principal of the
Wayne County Circuit Court, Judge
confidential, he argued.
1,274-student Grosse Pointe North High
Lynne Pierce ordered the district to
"Society wants students to talk to a
School became aware of the alleged rapes
surrender the principal's notes about all
teacher without being afraid that the
while investigating how a lewd
of the students involved in the case.
conversation is going to get out," he said.
photograph of senior-class president
The district complied but refused to
In a Bind
Daniel Granger appeared in school's 1998
provide additional notes sought by both
Gwendolyn H. Gregory, an outside
yearbook. During those inquiries, three
the prosecution and the defense because
counsel to the National School Boards
female students accused Mr. Granger and
they concerned other students.
Association and an expert on education
three other male students of sexual
Prosecutors are seeking the additional
law, said she knows of no other case in
assault.
records in an attempt to corroborate the
which a state privacy law was invoked to
Police then investigated the
accusers' accounts and to identify any
block the release of notes in a criminal
accusations, and the four young men who
other possible victims or assailants.
investigation.
attend school in an affluent suburb of
Defense lawyers also are seeking the
Federal law requires school districts to
Detroit were charged with third-degree
notes in an effort to bolster their cases.
keep student records confidential, with
criminal sexual conduct.
"If somebody said to the school
some exceptions. But Ms. Gregory said
The girls were 14 at the time of the
[official] that a student did such and such
she was unaware of state laws other than
alleged incidents, which are said to have
with so-and-so, that's evidence," said
Michigan's that further protect student
occurred in private homes last December
Richard Padzieski, the chief of operations
records or private communications with
and January. Under Michigan law, 16 is
in the prosecutor's office in Wayne
school officials.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
48
Cases such as the one involving
and inhibiting an investigation that could
with it."
Grosse Pointe North High School put
lead to a criminal conviction.
Mr. Padzieski of the county
administrators in a bind, she said. They
"It's always a quandary," Ms. Gregory
prosecutor's office said last week that he
are stuck between violating student
said. "You just have to work it out to
plans to seek a subpoena at the end of the
privacy, thus risking a parent's lawsuit if
maintain the confidentiality, but not so
month to get the remaining records from
they divulge information about a child,
you allow the perpetrator to get away
the district.
41. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Mayor To Control Cleveland Schools After Judge Ends
State Intervention
By Kerry A. White
U.S. District Judge George W. White
and a superintendent of his choosing, will
The passing of the torch in Cleveland
ruled last month that a federal court order
take over the Cleveland schools,
is imminent: This fall, the beleaguered
that placed the district under state control
returning the district to local control for
school district will join the list of large
will be lifted on Sept. 9.
the first time in nearly 25 years.
urban school systems-including Boston
Mayor Michael R. White, along with
and Chicago -under mayoral control.
an appointed nine-member school board
"Today is a historic day for
crisis."
the Service Employees International
Clevelanders," Mayor White, a
The plan for mayoral control was
Union, which represents school support
Democrat, said in a prepared statement
approved by state lawmakers and signed
workers, have asked that schools remain
following the judge's ruling. "After a
into law by Gov. George V. Voinovich, a
under state control until their appeal is
quarter of a century of having the
Republican, in August 1997.
decided. ("Judge Ends Desegregation
educational policy for our children in the
Fight Continues
Case in Cleveland," April 8, 1998.)
hands of the federal court and then the
Judge White, no relation to the mayor,
Meanwhile, a nominating panel put
subsequent state supervision, we can now
who in March declared that the school
together by the state is reviewing the
move forward with a school system run
system had fulfilled its legal obligation to
applications of about 240 school board
by our community for our community."
desegregate its schools, failed to rule last
hopefuls -many of them prominent
A federal court ordered the state
month on a request by two groups
community leaders -and will make
takeover of the 76,500-student system in
opposed to the mayor's assumption of
recommendations to the mayor by Aug.
1995 after declaring the school system,
authority. Those groups, the Cleveland
10. The school board and the mayor's
which was on its last legs academically
chapter of the National Association for
choice for chief executive officer are
and $155 million in debt, in a "state of
the Advancement of Colored People and
expected to be named by fall.
42. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Mass. Reacts to More Test Data; Teacher Proposal
Outlined
By Kerry A. White
surprise.
the state's -and possibly the nation's -
A school-by-school breakdown of
Nearly 1,800 prospective teachers
most aggressive plan yet to attract, train,
scores on Massachusetts' first-ever exam
took the eight-hour test in April and,
and mentor top teachers.
for licensing new teachers is forcing
although interim Commissioner of
$20,000 Bonuses?
some education schools to take a hard
Education David P. Driscoll cautioned
The proposal, known as the 12-62
look at their curricula, even as state
that scores from colleges where only a
Plan for its intent to reach from middle
officials propose creating one of the
small sample of students took the test
school -or age 12 -to retirement,
nation's most intensive programs of
"need to be interpreted carefully," he
would cost a total of between $5 million
teacher recruitment and training.
asked college leaders to make changes in
and $10 million, state officials say, funds
While individual test-takers' scores on
their programs where they could.
they say could be drawn from the state's
the April test were issued earlier this
"I urge the institutions of higher
$1 billion surplus.
summer, the state education department
education to accept the data for what it is,
It incorporates a widely publicized
released results by school on July 23.
which is a snapshot of performance on
proposal by state Senate President
The 59 percent overall failure rate had
one round of testing," he said in a
Thomas F. Birmingham to grant new
already rippled through the state and
statement, "and now analyze it and use it
teachers $20,000 signing bonuses, which
made headlines nationwide, but the data
to strengthen areas of need."
would be spread over the first few years
on how individual colleges and
In addition, Mr. Driscoll, along with
of their careers, new scholarships and
universities in the state performed took
acting Gov. Paul Cellucci, a Republican,
loan-forgiveness programs, and a more
many higher education officials by
and top lawmakers, last week unveiled
streamlined certification process.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
49
The plan, which Mr. Driscoll drafted
with the poorest showing was
curriculum
The test makes the case that
with input from other state leaders, also
Northeastern University in Boston. Only
we should redouble our efforts."
proposes a new "master teacher corps"
three -or 17.6 percent the school's
Many other schools didn't fare much
through which the state would reimburse
17 teacher-candidates passed both the
better than Northeastern: Only 22.2
and reward those teachers who complete
exam's reading and writing subtests.
percent of Springfield College's 63
the National Board for Professional
The university's president, Richard M.
candidates passed both the reading and
Teaching Standards requirements and an
Freeland, said the scores represented one
writing portions of the Communications
additional content test.
in a series of "wake-up calls."
and Literacy Skills Test; 26.8 of
In order to be enacted, different parts
"The scores confirmed what we've
Westfield State College's 84 candidates
of the plan would require the approval of
known for some time: that the education
passed; 30 percent of Massachusetts
either the state board of education -
programs here and elsewhere are not as
College of Liberal Arts' 20 candidates
which could take up the proposals next
strenuous as they need to be," he said in
passed; 32.9 percent of Bridgewater State
month -or the legislature, which has
an interview last week. "Well before the
College's 146 candidates passed; and
recessed until January.
testing results were released, we
33.8 percent of Salem State College's 71
A Confirmation
revamped our master's program, raised
candidates passed.
On the school-by-school analysis of
freshman admission standards, and
teacher-test scores, one of the institutions
reworked
our
undergraduate
Administrators at Springfield College
teacher tests, administered July 11, are
students don't manage a 90 percent pass
said that since the scores were released
forthcoming.
rate within the next two years, he said,
they have put together a panel that will
Boston University Chancellor John R.
university officials will consider
examine how students performed on each
Silber, who as the state school board
abolishing the education program.
section of the test to determine how
chairman has led the drive to raise the
Only two of 56 Massachusetts
required courses can be adjusted to
academic bar for students and teachers,
institutions whose students or graduates
improve results.
saw his university post a 65.7 percent
took the spring exam had perfect scores,
"Springfield College has a long
passing rate among its 68 teaching
according to education department
history of producing quality teachers,"
candidates.
figures: the Harvard University graduate
said Gretchen A. Brockmeyer, the
In a statement, Mr. Silber said that the
school of education and Wellesley
associate provost and associate vice
teacher tests "were not difficult, and,
College, although a total of only 13
president for student affairs at the private
therefore, the scores are even more
students from those schools took the test.
college. "We'll look at testing results as
appalling than they might at first seem."
The next-highest passing score went to
they come back and will determine what
He added that although BU students
Tufts University, where 81.3 percent of
sort of enhancements and changes need
scored relatively high, officials there
the 16 candidates passed.
to be made in the curriculum."
were not happy with the results and have
Results from the second round of
set a higher standard for future tests: If bu
43. LRP Publications
July 31, 1998
Senate Passes Job Training Conference Report
Youth job training programs will have
moment too soon," said Sen. Mike
employment programs, it requires that all
a greater focus on long-term academic
DeWine, R-Ohio, primary sponsor of the
employment experiences under these
and occupational training, rather than
work force legislation. "Our economic
programs be tied to basic academic and
short-term employment fixes, under a
future depends on a well-trained work
occupational learning opportunities.
House-Senate conference report issued
force and this bill will help prepare
Under these programs, priority will be
this week and passed by the Senate late
American workers to face the challenges
given to hard-to-serve disadvantaged
last night.
of the 21st century."
youth, including a requirement that not
House and Senate conferees finished
Rep. Bill Goodling, R-Pa., chairman
less than 30 percent of local youth
negotiations on the legislation (H. Rpt.
of the House Committee on Education
program funds be spent on out-of-school
105-659) that will provide more
and the Workforce, echoed DeWine's
youth.
flexibility in job training and push
sentiments, saying the Workforce
The legislation also authorizes youth
federal dollars to local communities. The
Investment Act "is a huge step toward
opportunity grants, which are intended
Senate approved the report yesterday in
reforming this nation+s employment,
to create job and learning opportunities
a late-night session prior to leaving town
training and literacy programs for the
for children living in high poverty
today for its August break.
21st century."
neighborhoods and rural communities.
The House will likely follow suit later
The act consolidates more than 60
Clinton praised the bill's focus on
today or early next week, after which
federal training programs through the
disadvantaged children, saying it would
President Clinton is expected to quickly
establishment of three block grants to the
help "create jobs and opportunities for
sign the bill into law.
states, including programs
for
out-of-school youth in high poverty
"For more than three years, I have
disadvantaged youth employment and
areas."
been working on a comprehensive job
training.
House and Senate conferees are
training reform package - - and I am
While the legislation allows for the
expected to take up vocational education
convinced Senate passage comes not a
continuation of summer youth
legislation when Congress reconvenes in
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50
September.
44. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Researchers Blame Test Revisions for Falling Ill.
Reading Scores
By Debra Viadero
declines in students' scores on the state's
helped design the assessment say the
Illinois educators have been scratching
10-year-old reading tests.
fault for the declining scores lies with the
their heads over four years of mysterious
Now, two of the researchers who
tests themselves.
"Simply put, we think the reading
scores. The studies found that, although
cares how you do," Mr. Shanahan said. If
scores are wrong," P. David. Pearson and
the tests had some flaws, the achievement
those students don't try as hard as a
Timothy Shanahan write in an article
declines were real.
result, he said, then students taking the
scheduled to appear this month in the
In their analysis, however, Mr.
regular test have to get more questions
Illinois Reading Council Journal.
Pearson and Mr. Shanahan point out that
right in order to score as high.
The dip in scores on the reading
the scores headed southward only after
"It's like a tractor pull that gets heavier
portion of the Illinois Goals Assessment
1993, when the state began reporting the
every year," he said.
Program, or igap, has been a puzzle
test results for individual students rather
State officials, though, said that the
because it has come as scores on other
than for districts.
"equating" tests are given days after the
parts of the test were rising. Also, some
One of the problems with that change,
the regular tests and that students may
large districts, such as Chicago and
they say, was that it altered some of the
not even be aware the results don't count.
Springfield, have seen their students'
conditions in the way the test was scored.
"Basically, we have looked at the
reading scores on other standardized tests
Because Illinois, like many other
equating, scaling, scoring, and linking
go up while their state scores were
states, wants to see how students do over
issues up one side and down the other,
dropping.
the long run, each year's version of the
and we have used the best people in the
"Even when we'd see small dips in
test has to be made comparable to the
country, and none of them found a
scores or we were treading water, what
previous year's. To do that, test
problem," said Eunice Greer, the division
we were seeing on the IGAP was huge
administrators give a smaller subset of
director for standards and assessment for
Niagara Falls drops," said Thomas
students two tests -the current one and
the Illinois state school board.
Kerins, who oversees testing programs
the previous year's version -and the
What is more, state officials said, the
for the 14,800-student Springfield
results are compared.
issue could become moot as Illinois
district.
For most test-takers, explained Mr.
moves next year to a new assessment -
The state tests, given to students in
Shanahan, the director of the University
one that was designed to yield individual
grades 3, 6, 8, and 10, are important
of Chicago's center for literacy, the stakes
results from the start.
because districts whose students score
got higher with the switch to reporting
But Springfield's Mr. Kerins
poorly over a period of years are placed
individual test results.
disagreed. "It's certainly not a dead issue
on academic warning lists and can
"All of a sudden, kids' names go on
to the principals whose phone numbers I
eventually be dissolved by the state.
the test, and Mom and Dad know how
have in front of me and who want to be
What's at Stake?
you do on the test," he said.
called the minute last March's scores are
Beginning in 1995, state education
But for the subset of students taking
available," he said.
officials launched a series of studies to
the older tests, the stakes stayed the same,
determine the cause for the declining
he said. They are told, "Look, no one
45. LRP Publications
July 31, 1998
House, Senate GOP Lawmakers Offer Measure to
Abolish E-Rate Agency
The agency established by the Federal
and Libraries Corporation and shift
grants would be awarded to fund Internet
Communications Commission to govern
authority for the program from the FCC
access for schools and libraries.
the E-Rate program would be eliminated
to the National Telecommunications and
"It is hard to justify the continuation
under a new joint House-Senate
Information Administration.
of the excise tax in an era of budget
measure.
The measure cuts the federal excise
surpluses, and it is harder still to swallow
The Schools and Libraries Internet
tax on consumer telephone bills from 3
a new tax on our monthly phone bill,"
Access Act (H.R. 4324, S. 2348) - -
percent to 1 percent. It also devotes the
said Burns, chairman of the Senate
introduced last week by Rep. Billy
remaining
proceeds
to
a
Subcommittee on Communications.
Tauzin, R-La., and Sen. Conrad Burns,
"Telecommunications Technology Trust
"This legislation is an excellent
R-Mont. - - would eradicate the Schools
Fund" from which needs-based state
compromise that would allow us to keep
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51
our promise of educational access to the
to provide needy schools and libraries
report found that, under the SLC's
Internet without sticking it to the
with discounts ranging from 20 percent
direction, the E-Rate application process
American taxpayer. At the same time, we
to 90 percent for telecommunications
was taking longer than expected, the
are cutting the new bureaucracy that
services, including Internet access.
effectiveness of key compliance checks is
oversees the program and relying on
In recent weeks, Congress has shown
questionable, program procedures have
current agencies."
support for the E-Rate program, but
not yet been finalized, and the program
The Burns-Tauzin measure calls for
lawmakers have been highly critical of
lacks clear and specific performance
approximately $1.7 billion to be
the SLC and the manner in which it has
goals and measures.
authorized for the E-Rate program
administered the program.
through 2003. The program is intended
A recent General Accounting Office
46. LRP Publications
August 3, 1998
Teacher Group Launches Laptop Computer Initiative
for Educators
Science and math instructors figure to
"We believe the future of science
describe an investigation for students to
benefit this year from a new, privately
education will include the use of
analyze a problem, plan and conduct an
funded program that gives them a chance
personal, portable computers by all
experiment, organize results, and
to show how laptop computers can be
teachers and students," said John
communicate their findings.
used as tools for teaching and learning.
Sumansky, president of the Toshiba
Twenty plans will be selected by a
With a grant from the Toshiba
America Foundation. "And, while there
panel of field experts for publication in
America Foundation, the National
is a great potential for the laptop
an NSTA-produced book and CD-ROM
Science Teachers Foundation will
computer leading to significant
package.
administer the Laptop Learning
improvements in the teaching and
"Laptops have the potential to usher in
Challenge, a program for educators to
learning of science, it will only be
a whole new array of hands-on teaching
present innovative ideas for using laptop
realized if we begin now to explore and
activities that can be used inside and
computers to enhance science and math
construct lessons that employ the power
outside the classroom, and teachers need
education.
and flexibility of the laptop."
to be on the forefront of this technology,"
The program will be open to all
To participate in the program,
said Steven Rakow, NSTA president.
educators during the 1998-1999 school
educators will submit lesson plans that
"We are especially excited that we can
year. The National Council of Teachers
have both science and math components
introduce these strategies to our new
of Mathematics also will have input on
and are performed using one or more
teachers in training and prepare them for
the project.
laptop computers. The plans should
the classroom of the future.'
47. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Georgia, Maryland Beef Up Teacher Education
Programs
By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo
concentrations in language arts, math,
to demonstrate effective teaching skills
Students who graduate from teacher
science, and social studies, while aspiring
within their first two years in the
training programs in Georgia and
high school teachers will have to
classroom.
Maryland will soon enter the classroom
complete additional requirements in each
If they are unable to do so, the system
buoyed by more extensive coursework in
subject they expect to teach.
will provide additional training. Ongoing
reading and mathematics instruction.
Beginning in the fall of 1999, all
professional development will also be
Graduates of the 15 education
education majors will have to accumulate
offered for all classroom teachers.
programs at Georgia's state universities
15 to 18 credits in each subject to meet
Raising the Bar
will also be backed by a guarantee from
the new requirements.
The state education department, which
the university system.
"The bottom line is that our graduates
has been working with the university
Under a 10-principle plan to improve
must be better prepared to teach,"
system on an initiative to improve
teacher
preparation
programs
Chancellor Stephen R. Portch of the
education from pre-kindergarten through
unanimously approved by the Georgia
Georgia university system said in a
college, endorsed the plan. But the new
state regents last month, elementary
statement.
standards, which may lengthen the time
education candidates will be required to
The system will guarantee that
for getting a degree, could also create
complete an academic minor in both
graduates at every level have sufficient
new challenges, some observers say.
reading and math. Middle school
knowledge of the subject matter they
"A number of our members have been
teacher-candidates will need minor
expect to teach and that they will be able
struggling and don't think they were
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52
prepared enough to deal with [classroom]
higher, and we may find ourselves with
in that state take up to 12 semester hours
issues," said Tim Callahan, a spokesman
some shortages of educators in the
in reading instruction. The state board
for the Professional Association of
pipeline. But that will be transitional."
approved the measure in an 11 to 1 vote
Georgia Educators, an independent
Meanwhile, a Maryland reading task
last month.
teachers' organization that approves of
force proposed last month that all new
the plan. "We are setting the bar a little
teachers and those seeking recertification
Most education graduates now
we need to make some changes."
children to read," said Karl K. Pence, the
complete just one reading course, and
Some union officials and
president of the Maryland State Teachers
some new teachers enter the classroom
teacher-educators oppose the new policy.
Association, a National Education
without any background in the subject.
While higher standards are needed, they
Association affiliate. "Teacher education
Three new courses will focus on reading,
say, mandating a specific number of
departments have retooled their
reading instruction, and instructional
courses will not guarantee teachers'
programs, and they feel that they've
materials and strategies.
improved performance in the classroom.
permeated these skills throughout
"State test results have been relatively
"The question is whether [requiring
in-service training.'
mediocre," Ron Peiffer, the assistant state
new courses] is the best way to make sure
schools superintendent, said. "It is clear
teachers have the skills they need to teach
48. LRP Publications
Aug. 3, 1998
Study Reveals Threat of School Shootings "Overblown"
The media blitz fed by the half-dozen
group drew data from a variety of recent
As a result of the hype, the study's
fatal school shootings in the last six
sources, including the Center for Disease
authors argued, lawmakers are
months has created the public perception
Control, the U.S. Department of
misguided in their legislative efforts to
that such violence is on the rise, when
Education's National Center for
solve a problem that does not exist.
research shows it has decreased in recent
Education Statistics and the U.S.
"[A]s the risk of school death is
years, a new study claims.
Department of Justice.
overblown, we are witnessing a tragic
The number of fatal attacks in schools
The report argues that the media
misdirection of attention and resources,"
is lower than it was five years ago, the
exposure and drama surrounding this
the report said.
Justice Policy Institute revealed in a
year's school shootings leads the public
The study pinned "everyday gun
recent study. The report cited a 23.7
and policy-makers to believe that such
violence" as a more pressing issue, citing
percent decline in violent school deaths
violence is becoming a trend.
that "as many as 8 kids a day are killed by
from the 1992-93 school year through
"Media coverage of these dramatic
guns kids are killed in gun accidents
the current school year.
killings has created a misperception that
23 times the rate they are killed in
The report - - School House Hype:
schools are dangerous," said Vincent
schools.
School Shootings and the Real Risk
Schiraldi, director of the Justice Policy
"The best data on the very specific
Kids Face in America - - says 55 deaths
Institute. "In fact, schools are still the
threat of school-associated violent death
resulted from school shootings in the
safest place in America for kids. If we
reveals that children face a
1992-93 academic year; 51 in 1993-94;
want to reduce the overall number of
one-in-a-million chance of being killed
20 in 1994-95; 35 in 1995-96, 25 in
childhood gun deaths, we should be
at school," the report added.
1996-97 and 40 in 1997-98.
expanding after-school programs and
The liberal criminal justice research
restricting gun sales."
49. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Taxes, Transfer Program on the Table In St. Louis
Desegregation Settlement
By Caroline Hendrie
for continuing the major elements of the
will look like," said Cleveland
When he signed a recent bill aimed at
city's nationally known urban-suburban
Hammonds, the superintendent of the
ending
court-ordered
school
transfer program once federal oversight
46,000-student St. Louis district.
desegregation in Missouri, Gov. Mel
ends.
"Everything is on the table."
Carnahan hailed it as "a monumental
Several key provisions, though, will
Riding on the settlement talks, among
piece of legislation." The measure's final
not take effect unless a settlement is
other provisions, are:
outlines, however, are scarcely set in
reached to get the state off the hook in
Funding, governance, and educational
stone.
the 26-year-old case. And other features
programming in the troubled St. Louis
Conceived as a tool for extricating the
of the bill can be scrapped or modified
district;
state from court-ordered desegregation in
during negotiations
St. Louis, the new law erects a framework
"Nobody knows what the final thing
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53
Millions of extra dollars for districts
For St. Louis school leaders, money
Transfers at Stake
statewide, thanks to changes in the
heads a lengthy list of obstacles to such a
Among the other obstacles to a
funding formula aimed at benefiting
deal. The city currently receives $70
settlement is continuation of the transfer
districts with large numbers of poor
million to $75 million annually in
program, the largest of its kind in the
students and steep local tax rates; and
court-ordered desegregation payments.
country. Some 13,000 African-American
The transfer program for St. Louis and
To help replace some of those funds once
students from St. Louis attend schools in
16 nearby suburbs, which many
the case is settled, the law authorizes
16 predominantly white suburbs, while
integration advocates view as a flagship
about $45 million in new state aid for the
1,400 white suburban students are bused
of interdistrict desegregation efforts
city and lays out a plan for raising local
to city magnet schools.
nationally.
taxes by about $21 million annually.
Lawmakers say they intended to
All Eyes on St. Louis
But because of a provision that
provide enough state money to maintain
The legislation, which the Democratic
rewards districts with high local tax rates,
those exchanges. But some school
governor signed in late June, sets a
much of the state replacement funding
officials question whether the law does
March 15 deadline for settlements that
would become available only if St. Louis
that. Moreover, the legislators left
release the state from court-ordered
voters agree to the tax increase. Even in
unaddressed exactly how money would
desegregation spending in St. Louis and
this best-case scenario, the district faces a
be distributed among districts.
Kansas City. The state has spent about $3
net loss of $25 million to $30 million in
Another potential impediment is the
billion since the mid-1980s to remedy
annual state aid under the law.
law's requirement that each participating
unconstitutional school segregation in
The two African-American state
suburb hold a referendum six years after
those cities.
senators who represent the city have
court control ends on whether to keep
Since a federal judge has approved
clashed over the legislation, in part
taking city students. Mr. Taylor, for one,
such a deal in Kansas City, all eyes are
because of the tax issue.
said he sees no reason why districts
now on St. Louis. While some potentially
And Sheryl H. Davenport. the
should have that option.
deal-breaking issues divide the parties
president of the local affiliate of the
William H. Danforth, a former
there, many analysts believe the stage is
American Federation of Teachers, said
chancellor of Washington University in
set for an end to litigation. ("Judge
the proposed tax increase helped
St. Louis, has been appointed by the
Decides State Funds for Desegregation
persuade the union to fight the bill.
court to coordinate a settlement. And
To End in K.C.," April 2, 1997.)
Observers say the best hope for getting
among those hoping he succeeds is Alpha
"We think that this is a one-time,
a yes vote is a settlement that lays out a
Nickelberry, 18, who graduated from
tremendous opportunity to resolve the
credible plan for improving city schools.
high school in the suburban Lindbergh
case," said John R. Munich, the state's
On the other hand, a settlement is
district last spring.
deputy attorney general. William L.
unlikely without financial assurances for
"I hope in my heart that it continues,"
Taylor, a Washington-based lawyer who
St. Louis once the court pulls out.
he said of the transfer program. "If not,
represents the National Association for
Kenneth C. Brostron, the St. Louis
you're going to have kids who are all the
the Advancement of Colored People in
schools' general counsel, predicts the
same going to certain schools, and they're
the case, shares that view.
answer lies in making any legal deal
not going to be ready to go out into the
Cash a Concern
conditional on a referendum's approval.
world.'
50. LRP Publications
August 3, 1998
Clinton Gears Up to Veto GOP Education Agenda
President Clinton today vowed to veto
wake of his recent criticism of funding
more than $3 billion from the
any congressional budget that does not
allotted for various initiatives in the
administration's proposed budget,
contain adequate funding for the
House's proposed education agenda (see
including funding for smaller class sizes,
administration's cornerstone education
D.C.Daily, July 29).
school construction, Internet connection
initiatives and summer job programs.
"The House Republican plan puts
in schools, reading tutors and hiring
The president, addressing participants
politics ahead of people and puts your
100,000 additional teachers.
of the federal summer jobs program,
future in the back seat. That is wrong,"
"There are those in Congress who
again
denounced
the
the president said to the group of federal
disagree with [my] agenda," the
Republican-supported budget proposal
summer employees. "And if a bill like the
president said. "They have proposed a
that would cut funding for the jobs
one that is proposed by the House
narrow and much more partisan plan
program and inhibit expansion of Head
Republicans passes, I will veto it."
that, in my view, is not a step into the
Start, after-school programs and national
Clinton
condemned
the
future, but a step backward.
testing. Clinton's statement comes in the
Republican-led Congress for cutting
51. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Barriers to Education Exist Long Before High School
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54
Among Latinos, Report Says
By Lynn Schnaiberg
co-author. The cumulative dropout rate
more Hispanic children in the United
While much has been made of the
for Latino youths is 30 percent,
States than there are African-Americans
high dropout rates among Hispanic
compared to 7.7 percent for whites and
younger than 18.
students, a recent report suggests that
12.6 percent for African-Americans.
"Because of the size of the Latino
Latinos face barriers to gaining a good
("U.S. Report Tracks High Dropout
youth population, even modest
education long before high school.
Rate Among Hispanics," Feb. 11, 1998.)
improvements in Latino educational
And those barriers seem to persist
Hispanic children also are less likely
attainment mean a boon for the United
throughout Hispanic students' school
to enroll in preschool programs such as
States," Mr. Yzaguirre said.
years, says the report released late last
Head Start, take rigorous academic
The report, which largely draws on
month by the Washington-based National
classes, or attend a four-year college, the
previously published data, is intended to
Council of La Raza, a leading advocacy
report says.
focus attention to the dramatic
group for Hispanics.
Rafl Yzaguirre, the president of La
achievement gap that exists between
"We really want to redefine the
Raza, said in a prepared statement that
Hispanic and white children. is also
picture for Latino education and not
the fate of Hispanic children will have a
intended as a call to action among
make it a single issue: dropouts. We
large effect on the United States as a
community groups, business leaders, and
need to look at what comes before
whole. Recent figures from the U.S.
policymakers at the federal, state, and
that," said Sonia M. Perez, a report
Census Bureau show that there are now
local levels.
52. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Pirated Software Could Prove Costly To L.A. District
By Julie Blair
following a call in 1996 to the group's
district schools would not be an easy
An internal audit of one school in the
pirating hot line.
task, Ms. Castro said. Some facilities
Los Angeles Unified School District has
Industry specialists say the problems
have hundreds of computers, and each
uncovered hundreds of pirated
in Los Angeles can be found in
year the district spends $8 million on new
computer-software programs, and that
educational institutions across the
software, she said.
could end up costing the district millions
country and could cost schools millions
The district has a policy against
of dollars.
in copyright-violation penalties.
pirating copyrighted materials, but, Ms.
Under a tentative agreement, the
Pirating involves making unauthorized
Castro said, the computer policy is
district would be required to pay
copies of licensed software, books, or
"probably not as strong" as the other
$300,000 to the Washington-based
music -and all are violations of federal
sections.
Business Software Alliance for
law.
Universal Problem
infringement.
In Los Angeles, the illegal copies were
The issue of pirated computer
The accord would also require the
most likely were made by
software is a universal one, said Karine
681,500-student district to come into
well-intentioned
teachers
or
Elsen, the BSA's director of marketing
compliance with federal copyright law in
administrators who did not realize they
and public relations.
three years, an effort officials say could
were doing anything wrong, said Rich
While there are no statistics on the
cost the Los Angeles schools $4.5
Mason, the general counsel for the
number of schools that pirate software,
million.
district.
an estimated one in four programs used
Compliance efforts would likely mean
"If we did [a districtwide] audit
we
in the United States is bootlegged, she
holding seminars for staff members,
would probably find some significant use
said.
purchasing licensed software, removing
of unlicensed software," Mr. Mason said.
"Despite great strides recently
there
unlicensed software, and monitoring the
Employees "are simply not knowing
is still a lot of software that is copied and
schools' use of software, said Victoria M.
they're not supposed to do this."
distributed. Unfortunately, as long as
Castro, the school board president.
Officials of the nation's second-
there is a resource need, there is a
The audit of the West Valley
largest district plan to discuss the
tendency for that to happen, said David
Occupational Center was prompted by
proposed settlement at a school board
Byer, the vice president for government
the BSA, a watchdog organization for
meeting Aug. 25.
affairs at the Software Publishers
seven leading software companies,
Checking software use in the 660
Association in Washington.
The law on computer software should
other copyrighted products -such as
within specified schools, Mr. Byer said.
be clear, but the use of the Internet is
books and Internet materials -can be
Monitoring how products are used
murkier, said August W. Steinhilber, a
copied for educational purposes under
may prove the most difficult element of
Maryland lawyer who is an expert in
strict guidelines, Mr. Byer said.
new technology, the experts say, and
copyright law.
One solution would be to purchase a
informing staff members of district policy
In most cases, the federal Fair Use Act
districtwide license that would allow
may be the best way to prevent abuses.
of 1976 does not apply to software. Some
districts to duplicate some programs
53. Education Week
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55
August 4, 1998
Waco Gets Tough With Summer School Effort
By Robert C. Johnston
failed the Texas Assessment of Academic
"We encouraged principals to be very
Summer vacation has finally arrived
Skills, a state exam given in grades 3-8
selective," Ms. Stripling said. "No matter
for nearly 2,000 students in Waco, Texas,
and grade 10.
how wonderful a program is, success
who endured six weeks of summer school
Waco's passing rates on the 1995
depends on who administers it."
under the toughest retention policy in the
TAAS were 58.7 percent in reading and
In addition to a curriculum tailored to
Lone Star State.
42 percent in math -more than 20
their weaknesses, the students received
Last summer, the Waco school board
percentage points below the state average
tips on strategy for last week's makeup
declared that 1st through 8th graders who
in each category.
tests, the results of which will be ready
failed standardized tests would not
"We found there was very little
this month.
advance to the next grade. Instead, such
correlation between report card grades
Students who fail again will be placed
students would have to attend a month
and
TAAS
scores,"
district
in classes this fall designed to get them
and a half of summer school and then be
Superintendent Rosanne Stripling said.
up to grade level as soon as possible.
retested. The new practice was launched
"This became the platform for pursuing a
"There's a certain amount of anxiety,"
this summer.
new policy."
said Eileen Lytle, the director of the
Now, despite a lawsuit brought by a
The district has addressed the
district's extended-year program. "That's
group of local parents seeking to end the
discrepancy by more closely aligning
why teachers are trying to work on
effort, state officials are looking to Waco
curriculum with state learning standards.
confidence and letting students know that
as a pilot project on scrapping so-called
And, in teacher evaluations, principals
they can do this."
social promotion. In fact, the policy in
are comparing student grades with TAAS
'The Bait'
the working-class city in east-central
scores.
But the new retention strategy has
Texas has drawn praise from Republican
Today, the higher stakes the district
riled some people.
Gov. George W. Bush, who has pledged
has attached to the state exam are being
McLennan County Commissioner
to end such promotions statewide if he is
credited with improving scores on the
Lester Gibson is leading a small group of
re-elected this fall.
most recent TAAS this spring.
minority parents who oppose the
"Ending social promotion is one of
Waco students raised their reading and
program. In a recent lawsuit, they say that
Governor Bush's top priorities," said
math scores 10 percentage points over
the TAAS was not designed to determine
Debbi Head, a spokeswoman for Mr.
last year's; the state average went up 3
student promotion.
Bush. "He agrees with Waco's goal and
percentage points. The performance of
Moreover, identifying students to be
supports it."
the district's black students shot up 16.6
held back based on the exam violates
But raising the bar in the
percentage points, while the average
TAAS confidentiality laws, the suit
16,000-student Waco district won't be
score for black youngsters statewide rose
contends. A hearing in the case has been
cheap.
by 6 percentage points.
set for Aug. 10 in state district court.
After spring tests, 20 percent of
To help the students who didn't reach
Mr. Gibson, who has one son in a
Waco's 1st through 8th graders faced
threshold scores, the district hired 154
district school, supports a broader
retention, prompting a record summer
teachers for summer programs on 18
approach to ending promotions of
school enrollment that carried with it a $1
campuses.
students who are not academically ready
million price tag.
Waco regularly has summer school for
for the next grade
Michele Ryan, the president of the
students who fail to meet grade and
"Low performance on the TAAS is a
Waco Council of PTAs, believes it is
attendance marks for promotion. But this
direct reflection on the administration,
money well spent. "It's a good first step,"
year's program is larger and more
but they're making students look like
she said. "The more we expect from
focused.
criminals and not victims," he said. "If
children, the more they're going to put
In addition to holding the size of
they're basing retention on one test in one
forth."
summer classes to a maximum of 16
year, that's wrong."
Grade Inflation?
students, the district sought out strong
Ms. Stripling said such arguments are
Waco's stricter policy began with a
reading and math teachers and raised
groundless. The policy, she added, seeks
1996 district study that found a high rate
their hourly pay from $14 last year to
to make parents and their children more
of students who passed their classes but
$18.
responsible for student learning.
Besides, Texas already requires
school, she said.
hook, but if there's no bait, the fish won't
students to pass an exit exam, first given
She compared her district's use of tests
grab it. This is the bait."
in the 10th grade, to graduate from high
to fishing: "You can have line and a
54. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Despite National Defeat, NEA and AFT Work Toward
Mergers in States
By Jeff Archer and Ann Bradley
New Orleans
A crucial vote here this summer
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56
dashed union leaders' hopes for an
"The guidelines are not going to be
"We in Louisiana do fear that our past
imminent merger, but in a shift of
easily arrived at because you get at the
beliefs are being diminished simply for
strategy, the two national teachers' unions
heart of what a national merger is all
the sake of change," President Mary
are working to allow their state affiliates
about," said NEA-New York President
Washington of the Louisiana Association
to unify while pulling together a process
Gregory Nash, a member of the NEA's
of Educators said in a thundering defense
to guide future negotiations at the
negotiating committee. "But I think that it
of preserving the NEA. "This makes a
national level.
can be done."
mockery of our core beliefs."
Delegates took opposing positions on
Negotiators will have to decide, for
In contrast, proponents shied away
a blueprint for merging at their respective
example, how to structure members' dues
from the details of the merger accord and
conventions held here last month. The
to pay for the services both unions offer.
argued that unity would help the union
National Education Association rejected
In the past, state mergers were barred
defend public education against attacks
the plan, 57 percent to 43 percent,
altogether, in hopes that national unity
from conservatives and advocates of
stopping it in its tracks. In a later, largely
would smooth the way.
vouchers for private school tuition.
symbolic poll, 97.7 percent of the
Linda Bacon, the president of the
In retrospect, Ms. Bacon of Pinellas
American Federation of Teachers'
NEA-affiliated Pinellas County (Fla.)
County said, delegates didn't see a
delegates who voted favored it.
Classroom Teachers Association and a
compelling need to change. "Maybe we
After the votes, though, delegates
proponent of a combined national union,
bit off more than we could chew for the
from both unions adopted similar policies
said she fears a flurry of state unifications
first vote," she said. "If we could have
reaffirming their overall support for unity
could "take the pressure off having a
found a way to do interim steps, perhaps
and calling for guidelines to permit
national merger."
that would have been acceptable."
state-level mergers. Bob Chase, the
Culture Clashes
Philip Rumore, the president of the
president of the NEA, said in a recent
The debate over the "principles of
Buffalo (N.Y.) Teachers Federation, an
interview that he hopes his union's board
unity" that would have created the 3.2
nea affiliate, who helped lead the
of directors can take up the issue of
million-member so-called United
opposition to the principles of unity, said
guidelines for state mergers at its October
Organization underscored, meanwhile,
the anti-merger campaign wouldn't have
meeting.
the internal differences between the two
worked without the secret ballot. In the
"I think it's important that we deal
unions.
2.4 million-member NEA, delegates vote
with it as soon as possible," he said. "I
Within the NEA, a group of state and
their consciences in secret; in the
don't think we want to place those states
local affiliates organized this spring to
985,000-member AFT, votes are reported
[looking to merge] in a difficult
defeat the document. Members sent out
to constituents. The secret ballot "allows
position."
detailed objections to the principles,
for dissent," Mr. Rumore said. "That's the
In Minnesota's case, for instance, the
made one-on-one contacts with delegates
strength of the NEA."
two unions are "living together" and want
here, and orchestrated a sophisticated
The principles of unity called for a
permission to marry, Sandra Peterson, the
strategy for the two-hour merger
blend of the two methods for the United
president of the Minnesota Federation of
discussion held July 4.
Organization. Individual delegates' votes
Teachers, told delegates to the AFT's
They set the terms of the debate by
would have been kept secret, but tallies
convention here. "States who are ready
highlighting all the ways the merged
of how local and state affiliates voted
must have the authority to begin to
union would depart from such
would have been recorded.
merge."
longstanding NEA traditions as
Poor Organization?
Minnesota leaders had hoped to get
secret-ballot
voting,
At the AFT convention, held July
the green light to consolidate by Sept. 1.
minority-representation guarantees, term
17-20, many speakers criticized the NEA
State affiliates in Florida, Montana, and
limits for officers, and independence
delegates for repudiating the agreement
New Mexico also are in varying stages of
from the AFL-CIO. ("AFL-CIO Label Is
reached by their top leaders and failing to
planning for unification.
Most Ticklish Of Issues for NEA
follow the wishes of the association's
Forging an acceptable plan for state
Members Deciding Union's Future," June
members, whom they asserted favor a
mergers could be difficult.
24, 1998.)
merger.
Sandra Feldman, the AFT president,
opposing viewpoints.
working relationships.
maintained that some NEA delegations
Day Higuchi, the president of United
In the other camp, Mr. Rumore has
"did not come as a cohesive group,
Teachers Los Angeles, attended both
pledged to continue dogging the merger
accountable to the members." She also
conventions because his local is affiliated
issue, including demanding budget data
called the sentiment in the NEA against
with both national unions. Many NEA
from both national unions to assess the
affiliation with organized labor
delegates "didn't have a clue" about what
financial impact of merger.
"old-fashioned snobbishness."
the principles of unity meant, he told his
Rank and File Input
The aft has long been a member of the
AFT colleagues.
Although guidelines for state mergers
afl-CIO, the giant federation of unions,
"It was shocking not so much because
could be approved within the next year,
and the United Organization would have
the promotion of the principles of unity
the forecast for national unification
kept that affiliation.
was badly organized, as much as the
remains hazy.
There was no mistaking the internal
perception that it didn't need to be
"I think that it's not going to happen
political nature of the AFT, which has a
organized," he said.
very immediately," Ms. Feldman of the
dominant caucus that moves issues
AFT delegates at the convention
aft said here, "because we just visited this
through the ranks and, in the view of
suggested organizing a caucus in support
process, and the only mandate we really
supporters, gets things accomplished.
of unity, drawing heavily on members
have right now that would be mutual
Detractors view the setup as less
from merged local affiliates such as the
would be for state mergers to go
democratic than the NEA's and stifling to
UTLA and from states with good
forward."
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57
It took more than three years of talks
educational administration at Fordham
fall to focus on teacher quality, safety and
between the unions' negotiating teams to
University in New York City.
discipline, and infrastructure needs.
hash out the merger principles. The
Despite the contention that public
"The NEA and the AFT need to find
NEA's merger resolution, passed the day
education is under attack, Mr. Cooper
more common areas to work together in,"
after the unity vote, calls for future
doubted that many NEA delegates felt
said Mark Simon, the president of the
negotiations to be more strongly directed
threatened enough to join forces with
Montgomery County (Md.) Education
by members' concerns.
their old rivals in the AFT. But if school
Association, an NEA affiliate. "There
Specifically, it requires that NEA
vouchers become more widespread - and
were too many delegates who had never
negotiators analyze a survey of this
Mr. Cooper is confident they will -the
met anyone from the AFT, and they were
summer's delegates, and that they
old rivalries will seem less significant, he
more likely to believe a lot of the
regularly consult an advisory committee
suggested.
misinformation."
to be made up of leaders from large and
"The press to unify will probably not
As part of their cooperative work, the
small state affiliates with varying views
come from the inside, but from without,"
unions will sponsor a joint conference on
of the principles of unity.
Mr. Cooper said.
teacher quality next month.
Mr. Chase, the union's president, said
Union critics hailed the rejection of
The NEA's resounding rejection of the
he hopes an advisory panel of about 15
the unity principles as a victory for
merger plan could raise questions about
members can be appointed this month. Its
teachers because it will preserve a
members' support for Mr. Chase and his
first task will be to review a draft of the
measure of choice in representation.
push to link unionism with concern for
survey, to be sent to delegates this fall.
Gregory Fossedal, the chairman of the
the quality of teachers and public
"It's going to complicate things, but
Alexis de Tocqueville Institution in
schools. He is up for re-election next
it's going to do it in a helpful way,"
Arlington, Va., asserted that the focus on
summer.
former NEA President Keith B. Geiger, a
merger misses union members' real
But many observers doubted that the
merger supporter, said of the survey.
concerns.
vote reflected dwindling support for Mr.
"You've got to be constantly assessing
"There is dissatisfaction with what
Chase or his reforms. "I think Bob
how far your members are willing to go
they're paying [in dues], a lack of
Chase's leadership cachet is very high
out on that plank."
accountability for where it goes, and with
even though he was defeated on this
The new process is less cumbersome
the single-issue fight against school
issue," Mr. Simon said.
than an alternative NEAdelegates
choice and vouchers," he said.
After the vote, the NEA president
considered, which would have required
Truce Lives On
vowed that his advocacy for teacher
future merger talks to "safeguard the
Both union presidents pledged that
quality would continue. "We're not going
democratic,governance,
and
their organizations would not go back to
to back away from that at all," he said.
representational structures of the NEA."
fighting each other.
Many of the NEA affiliates at the
It called for a constitutional convention
The NEA's merger resolution calls for
forefront of those efforts, however,
to draft the United Organization's
reauthorizing the national "no-raid
lamented what they saw as a lost
governing documents.
agreement" that had sought to end battles
opportunity in the merger vote.
Faced with both proposals, NEA
for representation. Approved in 1996, the
"Our problem is that for a while we've
delegates voted 53 percent to 47 percent
agreement expired in May. Ms. Feldman
been sort of a lonely voice within the
in a rare roll-call poll to consider the less
said the AFT's executive council would
NEA, but often the most receptive people
restrictive merger policy, which they
consider renewing the agreement in
we've found are in the AFT," said John
went on to pass by a wide margin.
October.
Grossman, the president of the Columbus
Most observers agree that the two
"We certainly do not intend to go to
(Ohio) Education Association. "And so
unions are destined to become one. The
war," she told her delegates last month.
we've been looking forward to a new day
only question is when.
The unions will continue their Joint
of synergy."
"In the long haul, it has to happen,"
Council, a committee of 15 leaders from
said Bruce S. Cooper, a professor of
each organization that was formed last
55. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Schools Gear Up As Bilingual Ed. Law Takes Effect
By Lynn Schnaiberg
changes the opportunity to seek a
districts open for business later this
Next week will be a busy one at
waiver to exempt their children from
month, and observers say the coming
Belvedere Elementary School in East Los
English immersion.
school year will be filled with trial and
Angeles.
"This hasn't really hit our parents yet.
error.
Nearly 500 of the multitrack school's
But it will," said Wil Shandy, the
California voters approved the
1,300 students will return to school, and
assistant principal at the predominantly
controversial ballot measure on June 2.
administrators will have to carry out a
Hispanic school.
And the state school board last month
new state law that calls for
The law kicks in for school terms that
approved temporary regulations that, for
limited-English-proficient children to be
begin after Aug. 2, and year-round
the most part, leave to districts the task of
taught in English-immersion programs,
schools, like Belvedere, will be among
interpreting the sometimes open-ended
rather than bilingual education.
the first in California to translate
terms of the new law. ("Uncertainty
The school must inform the parents of
Proposition 227 into the classroom.
Follows Vote on Prop. 227," June 10,
its 1,000 LEP students of the impending
Other schools across the state's 1,000
1998.)
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58
While many administrators say they
do not learn English well or quickly.
teachers and school officials who
welcome the flexibility to set up
In recent years, one-third of
"willfully and repeatedly" refuse to
programs that they believe comply with
California's 1.4 million LEP students
provide English instruction.
the law, they also wonder whether such
were enrolled in bilingual education
And Ms. Annis made clear last week
flexibility leaves them more vulnerable to
programs.
that backers of the measure will be
legal challenges down the road.
Debating Language
watching for districts that "stretch the law
Court Gives Green Light
The state school board deliberately
as far as possible and maybe break that
School boards looking for more time
drew its rules with broad strokes to grant
rubber band."
to draw up their plans were blocked last
districts maximum flexibility in carrying
Making Plans
month.
out the new law, said Bill Lucia, the
The 681,000-student Los Angeles
A federal district judge in San
board's executive director.
district, which educates 310,000 students
Francisco rejected a petition from civil
But Proposition 227 backers say the
with limited English proficiency-nearly
rights groups seeking to block the law's
board may have overreached in the area
a quarter of the state's total LEP
implementation. The plaintiffs have
of parent waivers, enabling districts to
population -plans to offer parents four
appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
easily circumvent English immersion,
options. Parents could choose to place
the 9th Circuit.
said Sheri Annis, a spokeswoman for the
their child in a mainstream all-English
U.S. District Judge Charles A. Legge
"English for the Children" campaign that
class, a bilingual class -which would
ruled July 15 that there is no
launched Proposition 227.
require a waiver - or in one of two
constitutional right to bilingual education
Against such an uncertain landscape,
versions of English immersion that offer
and that a denial of bilingual education
districts need to make their own best
varying degrees of native-language help.
on its face does not violate federal law.
judgment about how to proceed, said
Other districts are going to the courts
The California law calls for LEP
Theresa Garcia, a policy analyst with the
for guidance.
students to be taught in "sheltered" or
California School Boards Association.
Lawyers for the state school board
"structured"
English-immersion
The central question many districts are
have determined that although the board
classrooms where "nearly all" instruction
now grappling with as they devise
generally has the power to waive parts of
is in English, but curriculum presentation
programs is how much teachers can use
the state education code, the board could
is designed for students learning English
students' native languages without
not offer districtwide exemptions from
as a second language. In most cases,
violating the law. State officials and the
Proposition 227.
students will remain in such programs for
law's backers have declined to elaborate
Charter schools, however, are exempt
no more than one year before moving
on the law's requirement that programs be
from much of the education code,
into the mainstream, according to the
conducted "overwhelmingly" or "nearly
including the provisions of Proposition
law. Under some circumstances, parents
all" in English.
227, and observers point to such schools
can receive waivers to enable their
"It's a legal and a political issue for
as a potential way to avoid the law's
children to continue in bilingual
boards to make a determination of what is
intent.
education, where they are taught at least
'overwhelmingly' or 'nearly all' in their
The Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward
partly in their native languages.
community and what do they feel is
school districts have filed a petition in a
Supporters of bilingual education say
adequate educationally," Ms. Garcia said.
state court to try to force the state board
the approach enables students to keep up
"Districts are really all over the place."
to consider its waiver proposals. The
academically while learning English.
Observers say the stakes could be high
districts are scheduled for a hearing in
Critics say students in bilingual education
because the law allows parents to sue
Alameda Superior Court late this month.
San Francisco officials say they will
the curricula.
expecting
chaos.
The
add an English-immersion option while
"It is important for you to know that
English-as-a-second-language teacher at
continuing bilingual programs they say
our decision to continue our bilingual
Marshall Senior High School has
are required under a 1976 federal consent
programs is not a defiant act against
organized teacher resistance to
decree. The decree stems from the Lau V.
Proposition 227," Superintendent
Proposition 227.
Nichols case. In the landmark 1974
Waldemar Rojas said in a July 22 letter to
"There's no question that there will be
Supreme Court decision, the court said
parents and teachers.
noncompliance," he said. "Teaching is
the schools must offer LEP students
But in Los Angeles, despite of his
hard enough without all these
special help to grant them equal access to
district's plan, Steve Zimmer said he is
restrictions.'
56. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Black Parents Want Focus on Academics
By Ann Bradley
parents chose raising academic standards
Education Network, a Washington-based
African-American parents, by an
and achievement, according to the survey
group of nonprofit local education funds,
overwhelming margin, want the public
by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan
plan to use the findings to engage
schools to focus on achievement rather
public-opinion research firm in New
Americans in conversations about race
than on racial diversity and integration, a
York City. Nine percent chose achieving
and education nationwide next year.
survey released last week says.
diversity and integration, and 11 percent
White parents in the survey, whom
When asked what the bigger priority
said both.
researchers found "very reluctant to talk
for schools should be, 80 percent of black
Public Agenda and the Public
about education in racial terms,"
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
59
expressed anxiety about integration.
standards and good teaching and
teachers. By contrast, 74 percent thought
More than 60 percent of those polled said
community support are essential," she
that white students attended good
they believed discipline and safety
said.
schools.
problems, lower reading scores, and
'Lack of Passion'
And while 48 percent of black parents
social problems would follow if large
The study concludes that both groups
thought that more than half of black
numbers of black students began
of parents show "a distinctive lack of
students are doing well in school, 47
attending a mostly white school.
energy and passion for integration."
percent disagreed, saying that fewer than
Still, both groups of parents said that
Those attitudes stem from both races'
half were achieving, the study found.
integration remained an important goal.
doubts that integration improves learning,
Black parents believe the problems
Eight in 10 black parents and 66
the report says, and from white parents'
facing black students are widespread,
percent of white parents said it was very
fears that they will have to "forfeit the
affecting even those outside inner cities
or somewhat important that their own
schools for which they searched long and
and without regard to family income.
child's school be racially integrated.
hard."
In fact, 60 percent said they would
Nearly half of black parents said
"Time to Move On: African-American
switch their children from public to
integration was very important, compared
and White Parents Set an Agenda for
private schools if money were not an
with 28 percent of whites.
Public Schools" presents the results of
obstacle; only 38 percent would stay with
"School integration serves important
30-minute telephone surveys of 800
their public schools.
-mostly social -functions," the study
black and 800 white parents conducted
White parents also saw problems with
concludes, "but academic achievement is,
March 26 to April 17, as well as the
the education of African-American
for both groups, a separate and
findings from eight focus groups and
children, but tended to believe the
independent issue."
individual interviews with parents and 22
problems were confined to low-income
The findings "challenge some
public educators. The margin of error for
families and inner-city schools.
commonly held assumptions about what
both racial groups surveyed is plus or
No Test Bias Seen
African-American parents consider most
minus 3 percentage points.
The survey also examines attitudes
important," said Deborah Wadsworth, the
The focus groups were separated by
toward the issues of affirmative action in
executive director of Public Agenda.
race in an attempt to make participants
school hiring and of alleged racial bias in
While black parents bring different
feel more comfortable about what they
standardized testing.
experiences to the issue of public
wanted to say. Public Agenda hopes to
Asked to choose among three ways to
education from those of whites, she said,
conduct similar research with other
hire a superintendent in a mostly black
"their concern about quality education
groups of minority parents, such as
district, 76 percent of black parents said
and academic standards and their agenda
Hispanics and Asian-Americans.
the choice should be the best candidate,
for achieving these is nearly identical."
Black parents' insistence on academic
regardless of race. Only 4 percent would
Wendy D. Puriefoy, the president of
achievement reflects their fears about
have hired a black candidate even if it
the Public Education Network, called the
how their children are faring in schools,
meant turning away a better-qualified
results "exciting, affirming, and hopeful."
the report suggests. "In their minds, the
white candidate.
"There is common ground about the
problem is at crisis point," it says.
Three-fourths of black parents also
need for high-quality public education,
Most black parents (56 percent)
said that a mostly black district should
common ground on what education ought
estimated that fewer than half of black
hire the best teachers possible, regardless
to look like, and common ground that
students attend good schools with good
of race.
"These findings are strong and
to cultural bias. Forty-four percent of
polled only parents, who would tend to
consistent
but
somewhat
black parents believed that the tests
be younger than the African-American
counterintuitive," the report says, noting
"measure real differences in educational
population at large and thus less likely to
that 68 percent of black parents thought
achievement," while 18 percent cited a
have experienced testing bias in their
that there was some truth to the statement
failure of expectations for the gap.
own school years.
that teachers and principals, because of
"A lot of parents don't lay down the
"Parents are ahead of the politicians
racial stereotypes, had lower expectations
law with their kids," the report quotes
and the talk show pundits on the issue of
for black students.
one black parent in Cleveland as saying.
test fairness," Mr. Johnson said: "They
The same proportion said that too
"It's the quality and effort and training,
know what their kids are experiencing in
many white teachers didn't know how to
starting at home."
terms of the quality of education, and
deal with black students because they
Indeed, 72 percent of black parents
these data suggest that they're proceeding
were from different cultures.
agreed that "too many black parents
with that information."
Even though they believe black
neglect to push their kids to work hard in
Beth Dilley, the executive director of
students "sometimes pay a price when
school," a statement supported by 59
the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Public
taught by whites," the study says, black
percent of white parents.
Education Fund, which is affiliated with
parents-and whites concur-think that
Neal Johnson, a senior research
the Public Education Network, said the
racial considerations divert schools from
partner with the Educational Testing
findings "absolutely mirror what we hear
academics.
Service's Washington-based office of
here."
And although racial bias in
public leadership, said the study's
"Everybody wants a really good future
standardized testing is a perennial issue,
findings jibe with the testing company's
for their kids," she said. "I think it is
the study found that most
own research, which has found that the
unfortunate that so many people make
African-American parents reject bias as a
percentage of minority adults who
judgments about parents of color wanting
reason for black students' faring less well
believe testing is biased is dropping.
less for their kids, when they're trapped in
than whites on tests.
Ahead of Politicians
a system they can't control."
Only 28 percent attributed such gaps
But he cautioned that Public Agenda
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60
57. Education Week
August 4, 1998
Researcher at Center of Storm Over Vouchers
By Debra Viadero
And so far, wherever he has gone, he
Peterson's penchant for bypassing
Cambridge, Mass.
and his colleagues have come to the
scholarly journals to make his case in
School is out on the Harvard
same conclusion: Private school choice
newspaper editorials, and the
University campus, and the atmosphere
works. Students in such programs, his
conservative funding sources behind
in Paul E. Peterson's book-lined office is
studies have found, fare better
some of his research.
calm, even serene. Footsteps echo in the
academically than students who attend
His supporters, however, say he is
corridor. Small groups of visitors saunter
public schools to which they are
being demonized.
across the lawn outside.
assigned.
"It's sort of painful to see Paul taking
But the eye of a hurricane is supposed
His findings have endeared him to
potshots from people who question his
to be calm.
voucher advocates hungry for the
integrity and think of him as a kind of
And if any scholar is at the center of
credibility that his name and his
huckster, when Paul is a scholar held in
a political storm these days, it is this
university affiliation bring.
the highest repute by political scientists,"
political science professor with the dry
But some opponents of such
said Terry M. Moe, the Stanford scholar
Minnesota wit. Wherever debate roils
programs, as well as more
whose 1989 book, Politics, Markets, and
over statistics from school choice
independent-minded
education
America's Schools, written with John E.
programs, Mr. Peterson is usually at the
researchers, suggest that Mr. Peterson
Chubb, helped propel the current
heart of it.
lets his enthusiasm for vouchers creep
movement for private school choice.
In Milwaukee, he engaged in a verbal
into his work.
Mr. Peterson's resume includes a long
slugfest over the state-funded voucher
"There's no question that he's a
list of scholarly achievements, and his
experiment with the researcher
passionate advocate for vouchers," said
1981 book about urban politics, City
appointed to evaluate the program. In
Henry M. Levin, a Stanford University
Limits, was named the best book of the
Cleveland, he was at it again last year,
professor of education and economics
year by the American Political Science
attacking the official evaluation of the
who sits with Mr. Peterson on a
Association.
state-financed choice program there.
committee advising the evaluation of the
The 57-year-old researcher rejects the
In Dayton, Ohio, New York City,
Cleveland program. "And that certainly
notion that he is anything but a serious
San Antonio, and the District of
dominates his perspective on these
academic. If the criticism is sharp, Mr.
Columbia, architects of privately backed
evaluations."
Peterson says, it's because the stakes are
choice plans have engaged Mr. Peterson
'Highest Repute'
high: "When people address important
to evaluate their efforts.
Critics have also attacked Mr.
topics, they are inevitably criticized."
In Mr. Peterson's case, the important
students using the vouchers to attend
Supporters of Mr. Peterson say the
topic is vouchers, one of the most
private schools did no better on tests than
personalized tone was out of character for
politically charged issues in education.
their public-sector peers did.
him.
And many researchers worry that outside
But when Mr. Peterson looked at the
"Paul doesn't have a history of this
pressures are interfering with scholarship.
study's design, he saw what he believed
sort of thing," Mr. Moe said, "and I don't
"Even when he has limited data, he's
was a better control group: students who
think Witte does either."
always squeezing out whatever data he
by the luck of the draw did not get into
When Mr. Peterson and Harvard
can to arrive at a predetermined answer,"
the private schools of their choice and, as
colleagues Jay P. Greene and Jiangtao Du
contended Bruce Fuller, a researcher
a result, remained in public schools.
finally got a chance to analyze the data in
from the University of California,
Parents of those students, he surmised,
1995, they reached the opposite
Berkeley, who has written critically of
would be just as motivated for their
conclusion from the one they expected.
voucher plans.
children to succeed.
They found that, after three and four
Personal Exchange
But when he tried to do that analysis,
years, the voucher students outperformed
Mr. Peterson says he was more of a
Mr. Witte would not immediately share
their public school counterparts in
skeptic than an advocate when he first
the data, citing state-imposed restrictions
reading and mathematics.
looked at statistics coming out of
on access, privacy considerations, and
But those findings were questioned,
Milwaukee, where a pioneering voucher
other concerns.
too, by researchers who pointed out the
initiative created by the Wisconsin
That led to a bitter feud between the
high attrition rates at the private schools.
legislature to serve poor children was
two men that endures.
Were the scores higher because the
launched in 1990.
"It obviously went well beyond an
weaker students were leaving the
The official, state-commissioned
academic exchange," Mr. Witte said
program?1
study, conducted by John F. Witte, an
recently. "He and several other voucher
In an attempt to answer such
education professor at the University of
supporters have attacked me personally
criticisms, Mr. Peterson and his
Wisconsin-Madison, compared students
and constantly misrepresented my
colleagues later revisited the data to
in the choice program with regular
appointment as evaluator of the
explore the question of whether student
Milwaukee public school students.
Milwaukee program and my objectivity.
attrition had skewed the scores. The
Though parents in the program gave it
And I am afraid that led me to act a bit
answer, they determined, was no.
high marks, Mr. Witte found that
like them."
What is more, the positive findings
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
61
from Milwaukee were later echoed by a
proponent of the Harvard scholar's work.
policymakers.
Princeton University researcher who
"We do now have an advocacy-oriented
Those tactics irk some researchers,
conducted her own analysis.
debate, and people on the negative side
who contend that such debates are better
Critiques in Cleveland
are going to present their case any way
conducted in research journals or at
Last year, Mr. Peterson raised
they can," he said. "I think Paul is in a
conferences.
eyebrows again, this time in Cleveland,
position where he has to do the same
But, said Mr. Peterson's research
the site of the first state-funded voucher
thing or let the negative information out
partner Mr. Greene, "it's important to
program to include religious schools.
there go unchallenged."
continue to release information without
He and Mr. Greene, now an assistant
Mr. Peterson acknowledges that the
going through a lengthy review process
professor at the University of Texas at
demand for information on vouchers is
when you're addressing real political
Austin, released data showing once again
high. "Some data's better than no data at
issues that occur in real time."
that students in the private schools had an
all," he said. "And that was the only data
Eyeing N.Y.C.
academic edge over those in the public
available on Cleveland for people who
Mr. Fuller of UC-Berkeley takes Mr.
schools.
wanted to know whether it had been
Peterson to task for financing his
There were a couple of catches,
working."
evaluations with grants from conservative
though. The scores came from only two
The debate in Cleveland flared up
supporters of voucher experiments, such
of the 55 schools involved in the
again earlier this year with the release of
as the Lynde and Harry Bradley
program, although those schools enrolled
the official first-year evaluation of the
Foundation and the John M. Olin
15 percent of all the voucher students.
program. It found no academic
Foundation.
And, rather than being retested a full
differences between the 3rd graders in the
"That's like the tobacco companies
year later, students tested in the fall were
program and their counterparts in the
sponsoring studies on the effects of
tested again in the spring -a practice
city's public schools.
smoking," Mr. Fuller said.
some researchers found questionable.3
Mr. Peterson, part of a group of
Mr. Peterson says his funding sources
Mr. Peterson has since accounted for that
researchers advising the state evaluators,
do not influence the outcomes of his
difference, and still found the private
argued that those findings were suspect,
studies. He admits, though, that the
school students holding a slight edge.
noting among other criticisms that the
Milwaukee and Cleveland studies were
Paul T. Hill, a University of
study included scores for only 94
not perfect. Yet they are better, he argues,
Washington professor and a Peterson
students.
than the state-sponsored evaluations.
supporter, says Mr. Peterson's initial
Kim Metcalfe, the Indiana University
Mr. Peterson's recent research has
work on the Cleveland program "is not a
evaluator who conducted that study,
bolstered his belief that school choice
persuasive study."
defended the results, but Mr. Peterson,
works, suggesting that "it's having a
But Mr. Hill, who has written in
unconvinced, took his argument to
choice that makes the difference rather
support of school choice, remains a
newspaper editorial pages and to state
than which schools students go to."
He is hoping that an evaluation under
to do their long-hoped-for randomized
action is SO pressing. "I've definitely
way in New York City may silence his
experiment, in which enough schools and
come to the conclusion that big-city
critics for good. In that city, more than
enough students will be involved to
school systems are in trouble and that
20,000 applicants competed in a lottery
overcome the problems with the earlier
something needs to be done," he said.
last year for 1,300 privately financed,
research. The first results are due out this
"Choice is an option out there that needs
three-year scholarships to about 215
fall.
to be investigated openly, fully, and
private schools.
If he is dogged in his pursuit of the
fairly.'
That setup, Mr. Peterson and his
definitive voucher study, Mr. Peterson
colleagues believe, gives them a chance
says, it is because the need for drastic
58. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
Funding Alert
by Staff Reports
national standards and basic skills get
[email protected]; or Eric Hamilton,
*
Systemic Initiatives Research: The
translated into practice; and the role of
Division of Educational System Reform,
National Science Foundation is seeking
district leadership in motivating and
(703)306-1684;
e-mail,
proposals that break new ground in
coordinating changes across classrooms
[email protected]; Internet:
education thinking and advance systemic
and schools.
reform activities.
Deadline: Oct. 15. A second
http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/ehr/rec/pubs/si-re
Categories of interest include models
competition is planned in fiscal 1999.
search.htm.
of reform, teachers and curriculum
Funds: $4 million for awards ranging
*
Educational Public Broadcasting:
implementation, leadership and
from $200,000 to $500,000 a year for
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
governance, and partnerships.
one to three years.
(CPB) supports television, radio and
Specific issues include successful
Eligibility: Universities, colleges and
telecommunications
education
approaches that have been used to move
nonprofit, non-academic organizations.
programming and materials. CPB funds
schools
or
districts
from
Contact: Bernice Anderson, Division
video, radio, new media and education
non-standards-based to standards-based
of
Research,
Evaluation
and
projects that focus on American art,
science and mathematics education; how
Communication, (703)306-1650; email,
culture and drama; America's
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
62
international role; children: community;
Eligibility: Educators, independent
underserved youths.
economy; education; government; health;
producers, public television stations,
The foundation's Celebrating Science
history; and societal issues.
public television organizations, national
program brings in third- and fifth-grade
All projects also must have high
and regional organizations and
teachers for free science training at local
educational value; extend the project's
developers of new media, such as Internet
plant facilities. It also provides certain
value through non-broadcast components
sites and CD-ROMs.
schools with needed equipment such as
or use of multimedia; involve
Contact: Office of Education and
balances, magnet and electricity labs,
partnerships and collaborations among
Programming, Corporation for Public
microscopes and publications. Other
producers, scholars, cultural and
Broadcasting,
901
E
St.
NW,
initiatives include support of
education institutions, corporations and
Washington,
DC
20004-2037;
minority-retention programs at alternative
other organizations; and reflect standards
(202)879-9600;
Internet,
schools for at-risk youths.
of excellence, expertise and planning.
http://ready.cpb.org/grants.
Deadline: Deadlines vary by program.
Deadline: CPB will accept proposals
Amoco Foundation: The Amoco
Funds: $19 million for 1998 and 1999.
between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30; and between
Foundation supports elementary and
Grant sizes vary widely from $500 to
March 1 and April 30, 1999.
secondary math and science education
several hundred thousand dollars.
Funds: About $260 million for all
and gives grants to enhance new or
Eligibility: Individual schools and
programs was given in 1997. Grant sizes
existing programs for students at all
school districts in Amoco communities
vary.
levels, including disadvantaged and
nationwide.
59. Education Daily
August 4. 1998
News Briefs
by Staff Reports
initiative to limit bilingual education in
injunction sought by civil rights groups
*
Federal Courts Reject Challenges To
California.
to halt implementation of Proposition
Prop. 227: Two federal courts on Friday
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of
227. The initiative took effect Aug. 2.
refused to block a voter-approved
Appeals denied, without comment, an
U.S. District Judge Lourdes Baird also
Weiner
The average Lone Star State teacher
ruled on Friday -for the U.S. District
*
Texas Teachers Want Fatter
made $32,426 in 1996-97, compared to
Court for the Central District of
Paychecks: Texas could reap a $6 billion
$38,436 nationally.
California Prop. 227 will not harm
budget surplus this year, and teachers
Lawmakers of both parties are
students in the Los Angeles Unified
want it to go toward raises so their
seriously considering the plan, but won't
School District.
salaries will meet the national average.
make any final decisions until next
The Mexican American Legal Defense
Texas teacher unions say a uniform
January when the state legislature meets.
and Educational Fund and the American
pay hike of $6,000, plus incentives to
But budgeters in the state senate warn
Civil Liberties Union had sought to block
lure teachers into shortage areas, would
that this summer's severe drought in
the measure on both fronts (ED, Aug. 3).
cost $3 billion over two years -but help
Texas could affect how a surplus is spent.
Prop. 227 limits students to one year
raise teacher quality in the state, where
-Jonathan Fox
of bilingual education, with an emphasis
many teachers aren't certified to teach in
on English immersion. -Rebecca S.
their subject areas.
60. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
Initiative Spurs Math, Science Teaching Via Laptops
by Rebekah L. Stivers
grade categories -K-5, 6-9, 10-12 and
which will be available with applications
The Laptop Learning Challenge,
K-12 informal settings -will receive
Sept. 1, according to NSTA's associate
sponsored by the National Science
Toshiba laptops and expense-paid trips to
executive director Marily DeWall.
Teachers Association (NSTA) and the
NSTA's national convention in Boston
The program deadline likely will be in
Toshiba America Foundation, aims to
next March.
mid-January. "We want to be as
increase laptop computer use in teaching
At the convention, finalists will
non-specific as possible with the
math and science both in and out of the
demonstrate their winning laptop lesson
criteria," DeWall said, "so that teachers
classroom.
plans, which NSTA will publish on its
have more room for creativity."
K-12 educators are eligible to apply
Web site.
Informal educators, such as museum
for the program, which runs during the
A book on how to adapt the K-12
and nature center instructors, also are
1998-99 school year. They must submit
laptop lessons for pre-service teachers
encouraged to apply, she added.
innovative ideas for using laptops both in
will be published and include a disk of
NSTA will administer the program,
classroom and informal education
lessons.
splitting the cost with Toshiba, which
settings.
NSTA's board meets next month to
awards grants to middle and high schools
Twenty lesson-plan winners from four
review and finalize program guidelines,
for projects serving students in grades
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63
seven through 12.
61. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
Job Training Bills Would Allow Joint Voc Ed Plans
by Gina Farrell
involvement; puts training providers in
returning in September from a
Congress has given final approval to
competition with each other; gives those
month-long recess.
job training legislation that would allow,
seeking training more information about
After the Senate followed the House's
but not mandate, states to submit joint
program quality; and lets adults enroll in
lead by separating job training from voc
plans for vocational education, job
family literacy programs.
ed reauthorization, some were concerned
training and adult education.
One major sticking point for conferees
it might mean voc ed would be pushed
The Senate approved the conference
was whether states would be allowed to
aside this year.
committee report, H.R. 1385, by voice
submit combined plans for job training,
But Joe Karpinski, spokesman for the
vote last Thursday. The House followed
voc ed and adult ed. The final
Senate Labor and Human Resources
suit Friday. President Clinton has
compromise will allow, but not mandate,
Committee, said plenty of time remains.
indicated his support for it.
these joint, two-year plans.
"Voc ed shouldn't be affected at all," he
The legislation would merge 60
Now that lawmakers are finished with
said.
programs into three block grants to states
job training reform, they are expected to
and localities, while reducing federal
take up voc ed reauthorization after
62. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
House Consolidated Loans Spell Trouble In Congress
For ED
by Eli J. Lake
Goodling and other GOP leaders on
Education Loan program and direct
House and Senate lawmakers are
the House education committee are
consolidated loans at the July 1 rate.
raising a number of concerns with the
concerned that ED loan consolidation
But GOP staffers point out that ED's
Education Department's recent decision
may shut down as it did last summer
decision has hardened relations between
to lower interest rates on loans
when the loan volume increased.
the Clinton administration and the
consolidated through its direct student
House staff say they will decide soon
committee.
loan (DSL) program.
on the feasibility of holding an oversight
And according to several House staff
House legislative staff contend that
hearing on ED's loan consolidation.
members, ED's decision to lower the
ED's decision has weakened its hand for
Goodling cites an ED report that
consolidated DSL interest rate on its
the upcoming conference on the Higher
found the department's completion rate
direct loan program will have serious
Education Act (HEA) reauthorization
was a paltry 58 percent for consolidation
repercussions in conference.
bills.
applications between December 1997 and
ED "lost a lot of its leverage on a
Legislators are worried that ED's
June 1998.
number of issues. We'll think twice about
contractors won't be able to handle the
ED argues that this statistic is
how we deal with them now," said Vic
increased volume of loan applications
misleading. In fact, for the 49,900
Klatt, the House education panel's
that may result from ED's decision to
applications turned in to ED between
majority education coordinator.
offer better rates. But ED officials say
Dec. 1 and April 30, fewer than 5 percent
While Klatt hopes ED will support the
that recent efforts to modernize its DSL
remain unfinished, ED says.
final HEA bill and says the committee
consolidation operation has prepared it
In a July 28 response, Riley noted that
still will listen to ED's concerns, he
for an onslaught of applicants.
ED has taken a number of steps to
doesn't anticipate conferees moving
Last month, ED established the lower
expand and improve the efficiency of its
closer to the department on the
interest rate for loans consolidated
consolidation operation, including:
consolidation issue.
through DSL to take effect July 1 and run
*
A reengineered process by which
ED's assistant secretary for
through Oct. 1. Students who got loans at
borrowers certify their loan balances;
postsecondary education David
higher interest rates now can refinance
Verifying all information through the
Longanecker doesn't think the decision
them with the government (ED, June 25).
National Student Loan Data System;
on loan consolidation had nearly as
In a July 22 letter to Education
Placing a number of new management
chilling an effect with Congress as House
Secretary Richard Riley, House
and quality assurance mechanisms into
staff does. In an interview, Longanecker
Education and the Workforce Committee
the consolidation process; and
Hiring
said the administration is currently
Chairman Bill Goodling, R-Pa., wrote
new consultants and systems engineers to
developing proposals to either subsidize
that the education panel is "greatly
handle any increased loan volume.
private lenders or reduce their
concerned about the possible effect on
ED desperately wants Congress to set
consolidation fees in order to keep the
borrowers it claims to want to assist."
the interest rate on both Family
FEL community in the consolidation
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
64
business if the interest rates are
reduced.
63. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
Revised IDEA Quashes School District's Help For
Student
by Rob Jennings
child whose parents have chosen to enroll
program at a Catholic school.
The nation's updated special education
her in private school.
The three-judge panel now has
law has not brought good tidings to one
Two years ago, that same court
determined that IDEA, as amended,
upstate New York family.
ordered the Watervliet, N.Y., school
requires school districts to provide to
In a major about-face, the U.S. Second
board to foot the bill for Colleen
private school students only those
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled July 24, in
Russman, a mentally retarded student
services that can be purchased with a
Russman V. Mills (95-7756), that public
who is now 16 years old (ED, June 26,
proportionate amount of federal IDEA
school districts are not required to
1996). Her parents wanted Watervliet to
funds.
provide on-site special ed services to a
apply her individualized education
"School districts have discretion to
services on-site," the court wrote.
assume to pay their own legal fees.
determine whether to provide such
The court also ordered both sides to
64. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
Tracking Isn't A Bogeyman, Harvard Professor Says
by Jonathan Fox
some states are offering incentives to
But one criticism of tracking still
Tracking students by ability level and
discourage the practice.
seems valid to Loveless: Low tracks
prior achievement may not be so bad
The argument against tracking is that
rarely offer preparation for college, a
after all, a controversial new study says.
it dooms minority and poor students to a
factor that particularly hurts poor and
While tracking often is blamed for
life of low-skilled, menial employment.
minority students disproportionally
shunting disproportionately large
On the other hand, teachers say
assigned to bottom-tier tracks.
numbers of poor and minority students
heterogeneous groups are impossible to
Reformers complain of poor students
into low-octane classes, the real culprit is
teach without dumbing down instruction
making it through high school relegated
inferior teaching, says a new study by
for brighter kids.
to general or remedial classes, never
Tom Loveless, a Harvard University
Meanwhile, parents of students who
advancing to higher-level classes such as
professor, who advocates a more
normally constitute the faster tracks
algebra and trigonometry, which are
demanding tracking system.
support tracking because it ensures a
necessary for college admission.
The report "raises some serious doubts
better education for their children.
The lack of rigor endemic to these
about what educators think is
Rhetoric aside, Loveless said research
courses proves the system needs a
conventional wisdom," said Chester Finn,
"fails to support the indictment" on
shake-up, advocates say.
president of the Washington, D.C.-based
tracking, which he charged is part of a
Too often, all U.S. high schools do is
Fordham Foundation, which supported
"dubious social agenda."
track, condemning needy students to
the study. "Poor and minority kids can
Instead, coursework tailored to ability
subpar achievement, said acting Deputy
thrive in this regimen."
level stimulates achievement for all
Education Secretary Marhsall Smith at a
But one anti-tracking advocate said
levels, he said, especially in Catholic
recent
educational
researchers
Loveless's thesis amounts to a pipe
schools. The current anti-tracking
conference. The Clinton administration
dream. "The sad reality is the tracking he
sentiment seems to be directed more at
wants more demanding coursework for
advocates is not often found in American
past tracking than its current state,
all students (ED, April 15).
schools," said Kati Haycock, director of
Loveless said.
But Loveless and Finn say the new
the Washington, D.C.-based Education
"Today, schools rarely assign students
study is proof that better teaching and
Trust.
to a regiment of college or vocational
higher standards are needed, not an end
Continuous Controversy
courses across subject areas," he said.
to tracking.
The issue of tracking has been a
Instead, students are assigned to math or
Public schools should look to Catholic
political hot potato for decades, and some
reading tracks, and students do move up
schools for ideas on how to accomplish
schools have switched to random
and down in the tracks when they
this, Loveless said.
groupings of students, hoping the change
outgrow the pace of instruction, Loveless
will boost overall achievement, while
said.
65. CongressDaily
08/03/98Section: APPROPRIATIONS;
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
65
Clinton Threatens To Veto Labor-HHS Bill In Current
Form
Accusing House Republicans of putting
Assistance program, which provides aid
billion from user fees and tobacco
"politics ahead of people" by failing to
for paying heating and cooling bills.
legislation to boost discretionary
fully fund a host of his education
Clinton also appeared to indicate a
spending - proposals that have not been
initiatives, President Clinton today
willingness to wage war with Congress
enacted. "Appropriators are dealing in
vowed to veto the FY99 Labor-HHS
this fall across the entire budget
reality and we have to mark up our bills
appropriations bill if it remains in its
battlefront. "So far, Congress hasn't
based on real numbers," she said. The
current form. "If a bill that is proposed by
passed [my] budget, or one of its own,"
aide said the Labor- HHS bill pending in
the House Republicans passes, I will veto
Clinton said. "Because of the delay, they
the House provides a $1.2 billion boost
it," Clinton said. For the second time in
may decide to send me a bare-bones
for the National Institutes of Health.
less than a week, Clinton pounded
budget that fails to expand the critical
"More and more people are realizing
Republicans for not agreeing to funding
investments we need to make from
this bill has provided a huge increase in
levels he has proposed for the Summer
education to summer jobs to school
health [funding]," the aide said.
Jobs initiative, the Head Start program,
modernization to child care. But the last
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader
voluntary national testing, the America
budget of the 20th century should be
Lott and House Speaker Gingrich Friday
Reads initiative to hire tutors, after- and
preparing our nation for the challenges of
sent Clinton a letter challenging him to
before-school programs, plans to place
the next. I will not accept a budget that
assure the American people that he is not
more computers in classrooms and to
fails to do this."
committed to a shutdown strategy by
decrease the size of classrooms, and the
However, a Republican House
vetoing several of the annual funding
High Hopes mentoring and tutoring
Appropriations Committee aide defended
bills. "Before the members of Congress
program. Addressing a group of children
the FY99 Labor-HHS spending bill,
return home for the August recess, we
enrolled in a summer jobs program,
arguing that last year's budget deal forced
want to publicly reaffirm our
Clinton also demanded Congress add to
appropriators to set priorities. "We had to
determination to keep open the vital
the bill his $180 million proposal to
live with the budget agreement that the
functions of the federal government at the
improve health and safety standards at
president and the Congress set last year,"
end of this fiscal year," the two leaders
childcare facilities. In addition, he
the aide said. "The funding levels were
wrote Clinton. - by Keith Koffler and
slammed the GOP for seeking to
tight." The aide said the Clinton
David Baumann
eliminate the Low Income Home Energy
administration's FY99 budget used $9
66. Education Daily
August 4, 1998
House Again Uses D.C. Bill For Pet Education Policies
by William J. Cahir
are approved by Congress. The bill
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
House Republicans are dabbling in
would provide a 14.3 percent increase
which are required before parents may
education policy again for the District of
over fiscal 1998, according to the
file special ed lawsuits.
Columbia.
spending panel.
When cases do go to court and parents
The House Appropriations Committee
Last year, the GOP tried to authorize a
win, the bill would limit attorney fees to
last week approved a fiscal 1999
$45 million, five-year school choice
a rate "prevailing in the community."
spending bill for the nation's capital that
program that President Clinton vetoed
The bill takes up the issue of tuition
would:
(ED, May 26).
for nonresidents because House aides
*
Limit attorney fee awards in local
Sky High Special Ed Costs
believe Maryland and Virginia residents
special education disputes;
Bar
the
use
In a report accompanying the bill, the
are taking advantage of free child care in
of federal funds for nonresident students
Appropriations Committee complains
the capital.
attending school in Washington, D.C.;
that District schools fail to adequately
Schools in Washington provide child
and
Direct more than $744,000 in
serve disabled students, sparking lawsuits
care before and after school, and a House
school funds to a regional chapter of the
and exorbitant costs.
aide complained yesterday that up to
Boy Scouts.
The city is proposing to spend $156
4,000 Maryland and Virginia residents
The bill, which the spending panel
million on special ed in 1998-99, nearly
drive into the city each day to enroll
endorsed by voice vote on Thursday,
twice what it requested a year earlier.
children in the program-without paying
would provide $793.7 million to District
That would include $71 million for 1,451
local taxes or tuition.
schools, including $640 million from
placements in regional private schools, at
The committee's bill also would give
local taxes, $130 million in federal funds
an average cost of $48,600.
$244,078 to the Bethesda, Md.-based
and $22.9 million from other sources.
Trying to combat such costs, the bill
National Capital Area Council of the Boy
Locally collected tax revenue cannot
would bar attorney fees for administrative
Scouts for services to 12,600 students at
be spent on schools until funding levels
hearings under the Individuals with
39 public schools last year.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
66
These services included "staff,
in fiscal 1999 to expand the program.
children of broken families, and this is
curriculum and support materials," the
House aides said the Boy Scouts
providing a critical resource at nominal
bill says. The measure also would give
provide ethics and citizenship training.
cost," said a staffer who requested
the Boy Scouts' chapter another $500,000
"The city has a huge problem with
anonymity.
LOCAL
67. The Washington Post
08/04/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: Metro; Page B01
Back to Class
Already?
Fairfax School Starts Year-Round Schedule
By Victoria Benning
While many Washington area school
be fun. I'll be learning more than them."
Washington Post Staff Writer
districts have considered moving to an
Many educators and officials believe
Timber Lane Elementary School in
extended school-year calendar over the
such a change in the school year is long
Fairfax County yesterday became the first
years, they all decided against it until
overdue, pointing out that the traditional
Washington area public school to begin
now, mostly because of parents'
school calendar dates to the 19th century,
year-round classes, an experiment that
complaints that the change would disrupt
when children spent July and August
will be watched carefully by districts
family schedules.
harvesting crops.
across the region as they work to boost
Nationwide, the number of schools
The Fairfax School Board, which has
student achievement.
with year-round schedules has grown
struggled with ways to increase
"This is an historic occasion and a
from about 400 schools in 14 states in
instructional time, hopes the Timber Lane
great day in the commonwealth,"
1986 to more than 2,700 schools in 41
program is the first step toward a longer
Virginia Secretary of Education Wilbert
states today.
school year. Many teachers say that 180
Bryant told students, parents and teachers
Officials say most Timber Lane
days is too short a time to cover all the
during opening-day ceremonies.
parents support the idea. Only a
material students need to learn each year.
Timber Lane's calendar will feature
half-dozen families have chosen to leave
Most other industrialized nations have
the same 180 days of classes offered by
the school because of the calendar
school years that are two weeks to 10
other Virginia districts, as required by
change. Another half-dozen have
weeks longer than the U.S. school year.
state law. But the school days will be
expressed reservations to administrators
"This will teach us much about how
more spread out over the year, so that the
but have chosen to remain. More than
our schools should be shaped for the 21st
students will attend nine-week sessions
two dozen students from outside the
century as we try to develop schools and
followed by three-week breaks in
attendance area are on a waiting list to
education environments based on
October, January and April. Students will
get into the school.
year-round learning," said School Board
not attend school in July.
"It's a way to get the general student
Chairman Mark H. Emery (At Large).
Proponents of the modified calendar
population working on a higher level,"
Nearly a decade ago, when James
say the shorter summer vacation will help
said parent Christine Katcher, who has
Dyke was state education secretary, he
students retain more of what they learned
two children at the school. "We feel that
called for "radical educational reform" in
during the previous school year, so
by the time our kids are in the sixth
the form of an extended school year. The
teachers won't have to spend as much
grade, they're going to be a lot more
idea did not catch on.
time in the fall reviewing old material.
competitive than those at other schools."
During the 1970s, Prince William
During the breaks, students will have
Parent Rebekah Clement will have
County moved to a "multi-track"
the option of attending two-week classes
children at three different schools this
year-round schedule, with students
on such subjects as Web page design,
fall, including five at Timber Lane. But
attending school on staggered schedules.
outdoor science and architecture, along
the benefits of the program outweigh any
The change was needed after rapid
with remedial courses in subjects such as
scheduling inconveniences, she said.
growth in the eastern part of the county
reading and math. Students who enroll in
"This just seems like such a natural
made it impossible for the district to
the courses will get up to six more weeks
way of doing things," Clement said.
build schools fast enough. The schedule
of schooling in each academic year than
"There will be more continuity and their
was phased out as construction caught up
students on a traditional calendar that
downtime will be shorter."
with enrollment growth.
gives them the summer off.
Most students interviewed yesterday
The Timber Lane change was made
"Our theme is we're building
were excited about the prospect of
solely to boost academic achievement,
21st-century schools, and in doing that,
year-round school, too, even though they
Principal Donna Lewis said, and it
one of the things we have to do is make
were going back to class a full month
evolved from a grass-roots movement of
more time for learning and make better
ahead of friends at other schools.
the school's teachers.
use of our time," said Fairfax
"I was eager to get back," sixth-grader
Lewis and other school officials will
Superintendent Daniel A. Domenech.
Anna Delgadillo said. "I won't have to be
be keeping track of student achievement
"Giving children two months off at a clip
bored sitting around the house. Most of
to gauge the program's success, although
in the summer is not an effective use of
my friends [at other schools] say they
she cautioned that higher test scores are
time. All the research shows it."
wouldn't like it, but 1 think it's going to
not her main goal.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
67
"We're looking for increased
test scores would be great and I'll take
drive increased learning."
learning," Lewis said. "Of course higher
them, but test scores don't necessarily
ART
ph,,LUCIAN PERKINS
their first assembly of the new school
students, who will attend classes in
CAPTION: Students at Timber Lane
year, which began yesterday. CAPTION:
nine-week sessions.
Elementary School salute the flag during
Principal Donna Lewis greets her
68. Austin American Statesmen
August 4, 1998
Record number of Texas schools given top grade
15 percent rated exemplary for TAAS results; less than 1 percent
low-performing
By A. Phillips Brooks
eight are promoted. Third-graders would
the test, Schaefer and others said. Texas
American-Statesman Capitol Staff
have to pass the reading section to be
scores are better than they appear,
A state report card sent home Monday
promoted. Fifth- and eight-graders would
Schaefer said, considering that 48 percent
showed that a record high number of
have to pass all sections. Robert
of high school students in Texas took the
Texas public schools got the highest
Schaefer, executive director of FairTest
exam last year.
grade and a record few got the lowest.
in Cambridge, Mass., cautioned against
Neill, the State Board of Education
Fifteen percent - 1,042 - of the
drawing broad conclusions from a single
member who cautioned against reading
state's 6,654 public school campuses
test. Instead, Schaefer said parents and
too much good news into the new results,
were rated exemplary as a result of their
others should look to what he called
has called for a review of the TAAS
performance on the Texas Assessment of
neutral measures, such as the National
results at the board's September meeting.
Academic Skills exam given last spring.
Assessment of Educational Progress,
Moses and Bush said this is the fourth
Last year, 683 campuses were rated
given to students in almost all states. The
consecutive year public schools have
exemplary.
test is given every other year to a random
shown marked improvement. For the first
Less than I percent - only 60
sample of students, allowing a
time, the statewide report card included
schools, including Austin's McCallum
state-by-state comparison. FairTest used
independent charter schools, which are
High - were rated as low-performing.
that and other benchmarks in a 1997
financed by public tax dollars but are free
The previous low was 67, last year.
testing survey that included Texas.
of many state regulations. Rankings for
The rankings, mandated by
Texas public schools still show
10 of 20 charter schools were released
lawmakers, have been announced
progress when using the NAEP or other
Monday along with those for regular
annually since 1993.
assessments, though it is far less dramatic
public schools. Ratings were mixed for
"We raised the bar for Texas schools
than shown by TAAS scores.
the charter schools: one received the
again this year," Texas Education
Between 1992 and 1996, the most
recognized rating, seven were acceptable
Commissioner Mike Moses said in
recent year for NAEP results, the
and two were low-performing.
announcing the results at a Fort Worth
percentage of Texas fourth-graders
Austin area charters were not ranked.
press conference. "They not only met the
achieving at or above the NAEP's
The American Institute For Learning, a
challenge, most exceeded it."
proficiency level in math rose from 15
dropout recovery charter, is under an
But as Gov. George W. Bush and
percent to 25 percent.
alternative rating system. The Texas
school officials across Texas touted the
In 1996, Texas minority students
Academy of Excellence is not eligible to
improved ratings as proof that Texas
outscored their peers nationally on the
be rated because it had no grades above
public schools are improving, others
fourth-grade NAEP math exam. A
second grade last year. Students begin
questioned whether the improvement is
significant number of minority students,
taking the TAAS in grade three. Seven
as indicated by the TAAS scores.
however, still fell below proficiency
charter schools will be rated later, on
"I have some major concerns about the
levels.
Sept. 1, while three others have not been
TAAS," said State Board of Education
The average SAT verbal score for
operating long enough to be rated.
member Richard Neill, R-Fort Worth.
Texas high school students, 494, fell one
District and campus ratings are based
"It's not a true reflection of how students
point in 1997 from the previous year. The
on student passage rates on the TAAS,
are doing."
average SAT math score, 501, improved
dropout rates and attendance. The state
State accountability ratings are based
by one point. Those scores were below
not only looks at overall student
on the state achievement exam that
the national averages, 505 for verbal and
performance but at specific student
measures basic skills in reading, writing
511 for math.
groups - African American, white,
and mathematics. Students in grades
Texas students in 1997 scored
Hispanic, Asian and economically
three through eight are required to take
slightly below the national average on the
disadvantaged.
the exam, and high school students must
American College Testing Program
The state's highest rating, exemplary,
pass an exit-level TAAS to receive their
exam, or ACT. The average composite
requires at least 90 percent of students to
diplomas.
score for Texas students was 20.2; the
pass all sections of the TAAS, a dropout
Bush's re-election campaign includes a
national average was 21.
rate of no more than I percent and
plan to use the TAAS test to determine
Scores on college entrance exams are
attendance of at least 94 percent.
whether students in grades three, five and
affected by the number of students taking
In all, 120 districts and 1,042
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
68
campuses were rated exemplary, up from
65 districts last year and 683 campuses
that earned the highest rating last year.
David Dunn, a spokesman for the
criticism that progress may not be as
standards were toughened. He noted that
Texas Association of School Boards, said
dramatic as the TAAS projects,
a record number of students this year
that while there is some truth to the
improvements have taken place while
passed the TAAS: 72 percent.
69. Ft. Worth Star Telegram
August 4, 1998
Pay raises proposed for some teachers
By Martha Deller
school scores are released this summer.
teachers substantial increases," Ross said.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Tocco said district officials slashed the
The district is also boosting pay for
FORT WORTH - Rookie teachers
proposed budget several times to balance
nonteaching staff on the low end of the
in Fort Worth schools could earn some of
revenue and expenditures without a tax
pay scale, including secretaries, clerks,
the highest salaries in the state, and
rate increase. Finally, he said, he decided
teacher assistants and custodians. Some
veteran teachers could get pay raises of
to recommend the salary package even
of them will receive more than the
more than 10 percent under a salary
though it meant a tax rate increase.
minimum 4.5 percent salary increase,
proposal announced yesterday by school
"You deserve more than only verbal
Fortenberry said.
officials.
thanks for laboring assiduously in the
Bus drivers will get the percentage
The $12.7 million salary package
vineyards. You deserve a raise," Tocco
increase in addition to a $1- per-hour
would include pay raises averaging 5.3
told teachers in a speech telecast from
increase approved last month to fill driver
percent for 4,500 teachers and 4.5
Greenbriar Elementary to all schools.
vacancies. Substitute teachers will
percent for 4,500 other full-time
The final budget proposal is $384
receive a $2- per-day increase, to $62 a
employees, including administrators and
million. It projects about $13.9 million
day.
support personnel. School board
more in property taxes next year, finance
Teacher representatives applauded the
President Gary Manny announced the
director Steve Fortenberry said. About
salary proposals, which they say were
pay boosts at the district's fall
$7.5 million of the increase comes from
close to what they were seeking.
convocation as teachers returned to their
higher property values and the rest from
"We asked for 7.5 percent. To receive
classrooms to prepare for the start of
the 3-cent tax rate increase, he said.
5 percent is excellent," said Rubidel
school next week.
But the higher local revenue will be
Peoples, president of the Fort Worth
Manny said district officials are
largely offset by a $5.6 million loss of
Education Association. "We appreciate
proposing a 3-cent tax rate increase to
state aid and a $3.1 million loss in federal
the good job the school board and
pay for the salary increase. The increase
revenue, according to budget projections.
superintendent do on our behalf."
- to $1.485 per $100 of assessed
The salary proposal includes $30,050
Judy Luttrell, ]deputy executive
property value -- would be the first tax
for a beginning teacher, the highest
director of United Educators Association,
increase in four years.
rookie pay in the area and perhaps the
said Fort Worth school officials have set
"We're probably crazy to do that,"
state at this point, officials said. Birdville
a standard for other districts to follow.
Manny said. "But we feel it's necessary to
recently adopted a $30,000 beginning
"I'm very pleased with what Fort
do what's best for continued growth of
salary.
Worth has done. They've done their very
students and teachers. We'll have to
The pay plan assures all teachers a
best to be fair across the board," Luttrell
convince the public that a tax increase is
raise of at least 5 percent, with the least
said. "They're trying to tell the upper end
justified."
experienced and most experienced
teacher we need you here.
Superintendent Thomas Tocco said
teachers getting the higher percentage
"And they have to do that with the
the salary proposal was linked to the
raises.
beginning end or people won't go into
district's "stellar" academic performance,
Teachers with one to seven years'
teaching."
which was also announced yesterday at a
experience will get raises ranging from
A public hearing on the budget will be
news conference with Texas Education
5.1 percent to 6.9 percent, Assistant
held at the board's regular meeting
Commissioner Mike Moses.
Superintendent Joe Ross said. And
Tuesday. Trustees likely will adopt the
Twelve of the district's 112 schools
teachers with more than 31 years'
budget and hold a public hearing on the
were rated exemplary or recognized
experience will receive raises ranging
proposed tax rate Aug. 25. The tax rate is
based on state test scores. District
from 11 percent to 13 percent, he said.
set for adoption Sept. 8.
officials expect four more schools to
"That's been our plan in compensation
receive the top rankings when year-round
the last three years - to give senior
70. Columbia (SC) State
August 4, 1998
Schools plan what to do in case of shootings
By KAREN E. YORK Staff Writer
and principals plan for the possibility of
Preparedness Director Greg Sox told
Fire and tornado drills are standard,
gunfire on school grounds.
Richland
1
school administrators
but it's a sign of the times when teachers
Richland
County
Emergency
Monday that they can't wait until
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
69
something of that magnitude happens to
Will students be dismissed for the rest
want us to begin school thinking it
figure out what to do, especially when
of the day? How will they get home?
couldn't happen here," he said.
children are involved.
Local school districts are already
The reality is that it has happened here
"It's terrible we have to sit here and
being proactive with peer mediation
and in other parts of the state. A student
talk about this, but it's already happening
programs, conflict resolution and anger
gunned down another student in the halls
in several places around the country," he
management counseling.
of Columbia's Eau Claire High School in
said. "It's kind of like we're waiting our
"The guidance counselors do play a
1994. A year later in Barnwell County, a
turn."
key role in dealing with some of these
Blackville-Hilda High student killed a
Sox used a mock shooting scenario
students who are frustrated and angry and
teacher and seriously wounded another
involving A.C. Flora High to emphasize
who don't feel anybody else is listening,"
before killing himself.
the importance of planning ahead. In the
said Richland 1 spokesman Greg Plagens.
Sox will conduct a similar session
scenario, two students are shot the
But while they work on preventing
with administrators in School District 5
morning of the third day of the school
school violence, administrators must still
of Lexington and Richland Counties
year; one of those hypothetical students
plan for the worst.
today. He'll meet with Richland 2
later dies.
Sox decided to meet with Richland
administrators next month.
The Richland 1 principals and other
County local school leaders in the wake
Jim Foster, spokesman for the state
school officials were asked to consider
of last year's shootings at schools in
Department of Education, said students
several logistical questions associated
Oregon, Kentucky, Pennsylvania,
can help prevent violent acts from
with responding to such an incident,
Mississippi and Arkansas.
occurring at their schools.
including:
The incidents also emphasized to
"If the children are aware of their
What areas of the school are used for
Richland 1 Superintendent Don
surroundings and they detect a problem,
student evacuation?
Henderson the need to plan for the
they need to notify an adult so these
How are parents notified about the
unthinkable.
situations can be diffused before they
incident?
"As a result of what happened across
become dangerous.'
Who communicates with the media?
the country last school year, I just didn't
71. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
August 4, 1998
Doyle unveils effort to avert pupil violence
By Daniel Bice
cynical" people would see it as such.
whatever. He hasn't focused on criminal
of the Journal Sentinel staff
"I don't think it's particularly an option
justice."
Responding to a spate of high-profile
for me to say, 'Well, I'm going to wait
The sessions will be held next month,
school shootings in other states, state
until after the election year before taking
with the first one taking place Sept. 14 in
Attorney General Jim Doyle announced
on what is a very important project,'
Milwaukee. Others will be in Madison,
Monday that his office will sponsor a
Doyle said during a news conference in
Green Bay, Eau Claire, Wausau, La
series of training sessions next month to
Milwaukee.
Crosse and Superior.
try to prevent similar incidents from
But Linda Van De Water, Doyle's
Doyle held the news conference at
occurring here.
Republican opponent, said the Democrat
27th Street School, which has been a
Doyle said the sessions will bring
was holding the training sessions to make
participant in the Peers in Education
together police officers, teachers, school
it appear that he is interested in fighting
Addressing Conflict Effectively program
administrators and student leaders to
crime. She said he had not shown much
since 1996.
discuss ways to make public schools safer
interest in the issue until she began
The program, sponsored by Doyle's
in Wisconsin.
emphasizing it.
office and the State Bar of Wisconsin,
Although currently campaigning for a
"It's not until he has an opponent that
helps schools develop peer mediation
third term, Doyle dismissed any
this comes up," said Van De Water, a
projects to train students to resolve
suggestion that the initiative is intended
former Waukesha County prosecutor.
conflicts peacefully.
to raise his visibility in the months before
"Doyle's been more concerned with big
the election. He said "only the most
corporations - Microsoft, tobacco,
In making the announcement, Doyle
the best ways to quickly end a violent
threats of violence" by students.
cited the recent school shootings in
incident and minimize injuries.
"If you make a joke about a gun, we're
Springfield, Ore.; Edinboro, Pa.;
Information on some of the latest legal
not going to treat it as a joke," Doyle
Jonesboro, Ark.; and Paducah, Ky.
decisions on school searches and student
said. "We're going to treat it as serious.
He said 40 people lost their lives in
privacy will also be provided.
One of the lessons we've learned
is
to
school shootings during the 1997-'98
He said schools should provide
treat every statement about violent
school year. Over the past six years, there
students with safe ways to report
behavior not as just playful playground
have been 226 deaths because of school
potential problems to school authorities.
chatter but as a serious matter to be
shootings, he said.
School officials everywhere, he said,
looked at and to be, hopefully,
Doyle said the sessions will examine
need to learn to have "no tolerance for
avoided.'
72. Detroit Free Press
August 4, 1998
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70
New leader says Detroit presence is a possibility
BY PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI
presidency. WMU is one of the few
remembers having to sit in the segregated
Free Press Education Writer
universities that has not chartered
balcony at the movie theater. The paved
On his first official day on the job,
schools.
part of the street in his neighborhood
Western Michigan University's new
"I think we have a responsibility to
ended at the last white-occupied house.
president, Elson Floyd, said he wants the
make sure we have the strongest public
He said he is thrilled to have the
Kalamazoo campus to have a greater
schools that we can," Floyd said. "The
WMU job and aching to get into his
Detroit presence.
development of charter schools, quite
presidency. A career university
He also talked about helping public
frankly, came out of people being
administrator, he came to WMU from the
schools face competition from charter
disillusioned with public schools."
University of North Carolina at Chapel
schools and said he wants to help
He also wants to avoid any sudden,
Hill, where he was executive vice
students and their parents get a handle on
big tuition increases, although he said it
chancellor and in charge of business,
WMU's tuition hikes.
was impossible to predict whether or how
finance, human resources and student
It was too soon for Floyd to be
much tuition would go up next year.
affairs.
specific about plans for a Detroit
WMU students have faced some of the
"I've trained for this all my life," he
presence, but other outstate universities,
highest tuition increases in the state for
said recently. Michigan is a great state in
such as Central Michigan, offer courses
two years in a row.
which to be a university president, he
in the area.
He described himself as someone who
said, because there is no state system
"Detroit is too big a market not to
goes to bed at 10 p.m., then rises in the
overseeing decisions.
have a presence," Floyd said during one
middle of the night to work. Although his
"You make your own calls," he said.
of his first public forums. About 40
official starting day was Monday, he was
"Success or failure is really on your
percent of WMU's 26,000 students come
already on the job full-time Saturday.
shoulders and the trustees."
from metro Detroit.
In his spare time, he golfs and tries to
Floyd was also a finalist for the
"I would be satisfied with a
run every other day. Weekends are
presidency of the University of
collaborative presence in Detroit," he
reserved, when possible, for family
Wisconsin at Milwaukee, but the WMU
said, adding that he plans to talk about
activities. His wife, Carmento, is an
offer came in first and he liked the
possible ventures with his counterparts at
accounts manager for Metropolitan Life
university.
Wayne State University and other local
Insurance and will continue to work
He already knows that the big game is
colleges. "I don't envision, at this point in
when she moves to Kalamazoo from
against Central Michigan University. And
time, a satellite campus in Detroit."
North Carolina in mid-August.
the weather doesn't scare him.
Floyd also talked about helping public
The Floyds have two children. Son
"It'll be a change," he said, after
schools improve, especially when faced
Kenny will be in ninth grade, and
moving here from North Carolina. "But
with competition from charter schools.
daughter Jessica will be in the eighth.
that's OK.
He stopped short of being specific about
Floyd, who is black, grew up in
making improvements this early in his
Henderson, N.C., and said he still
73. Boston Globe
August 4, 1998
Communities, school districts to see record increases in
state aid
By Associated Press
to more than double state spending on
process of notifying communities of how
Massachusetts cities and towns and
education over a seven-year period" and
much aid they will receive.
regional school districts will get $368.1
to increase the return of money from the
Just seven or eight years ago,
million more from the state this fiscal
state lottery, said Senate President
municipal officials awaited the arrival of
year over last year, a 9.7 percent increase
Thomas Birmingham, a Chelsea
the state aid figures with dread, said
that will bring the total aid to nearly $4.2
Democrat.
Beckwith, executive director of the
billion, state officials said.
"These funds help fulfill a promise
Massachusetts Municipal Association.
The record-breaking levels of local aid
made to our public schools and to our
Those were lean years when cities and
come because the state is nearing the end
children," said Acting Governor Paul
towns, short on funds, might have to cut
of a multiyear program to increase
Cellucci.
back on police officers or firefighters or
education funding.
As recently as fiscal year 1993, the
in other areas.
The state is also returning more money
state was sending back only about $2.5
"For those who remember the bad old
from the lottery to cities and towns.
billion in local aid.
days, it's an extremely welcome
"The Legislature made a commitment
The Department of Revenue is in the
turnaround," Beckwith said.
74. Richmond Times-Dispatch
08/03/98; Edition: City; Section: Prime Living; Page E-1
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71
THE OLD COLLEGE TRY SCRAMBLE FOR
TUITION IS EASIER THE EARLIER YOU START
SAVING
By Darwin Abrahamson
four-year college education will cost on
tuition at current rates.
Do you wake up in the middle of the
average $189,200 for public schools and
The drawbacks to prepaid tuition
night in a cold sweat wondering how
$373,000 for private schools, according
plans are numerous. In a series called
you're going to pay for your children's
to the authors of "Paying for College:
"Higher Education. How High the Price,"
college tuition?
Planning for Your Child's College
The Philadelphia Inquirer cautioned:
You are not alone.
Costs."
"Financial advisers warn prepaying
College costs have risen
Obviously, good financial planning is
your child's education locks your child
astronomically over the last 20 years,
essential. Several targeted investment
into attending a school he or she may not
with no slowdown in sight.
programs are available, including: (a)
get into or want to attend."
According to The College Board, "The
prepaid tuition plans; (b) education IRAs
If your child isn't admitted to or
basic cost of education has been rising
(EIRAs); (c) Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
ultimately decides not to attend one of
much faster than inflation. For each of
(UGMA), also known as Uniform
the participating schools, the plan's value
the last 20 years, tuition increased 5.8
Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA); (d)
is significantly reduced. In that event,
percent or more. During the same period,
your 401(k) plan.
most plans allow the family to redeem
the Consumer Price Index rose less than
A prepaid tuition plan is guaranteed to
their shares, but at a lower rate of return.
3.5 percent annually."
rise in value at the same rate as college
If your child decides not to attend
Today, public colleges cost
tuition. A family purchases shares that
college altogether, the family will get
approximately $8,000 per year. Private
are worth a year's tuition at a state
back only its original contribution, with
schools cost an average of $19,000 per
college. The shares will always be worth
no interest added and possibly a
year, with selective private schools such
a year's tuition, even 10 years later, when
cancellation penalty to pay. As The
as Ivy League colleges costing even
rates have probably doubled. The main
Inquirer reports, "You will get a refund,
more.
benefit of a prepaid tuition plan is that it
but it might not equal what you would
By the year 2015, your child's
allows the student's guardian to lock in
have made on another investment."
When starting a prepaid tuition plan,
the "contributions" are not tax-deferred.
accounts - such as 401(k) plans - until
parents may not consider or even be
And if the distributions are not used for
they've saved a full college fund."
aware of its negative impact on eligibility
educational expenses, they will be taxed
Sullivan advises clients to "max out on
for federal student aid. If you have a
and subject to an additional 10 percent
their 401(k)s" because "retirement
prepaid tuition plan in place, every dollar
tax penalty. Also, contributions to an
savings provide an indirect way of saving
saved in prepaid tuition reduces
EIRA and a state prepaid tuition program
for college while deferring taxes."
eligibility for student financial aid by a
are not permitted in the same tax year.
Check with your human resources
dollar. In contrast, assets saved in the
UGMAs or UTMAs are simple trust
manager at work to see if your 401(k)
parents' names reduce aid eligibility by at
accounts that can be set up without
plan's rules will allow you to "borrow"
most 5.6 percent.
complicated legal documents. They offer
plan funds to pay for your children's
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
tax advantages for the accumulation of
college education and then slowly repay
included several provisions relating to
unearned income within the accounts. A
"yourself" - with interest.
college savings. Among them was the
custodian named by the donor usually
Another advantage of maxing out your
establishment of EIRA trusts, the purpose
manages the account until the child
401(k) savings: Financial aid officers
of which is the exclusive payment of
reaches the age of majority - 18 in most
often exempt retirement savings from
higher education expenses for the
states.
calculations of the parent's worth. So
beneficiary of the trust. Contributions to
All principal and any earnings in the
putting money into your 401(k) plan may
an EIRA can't be excluded from gross
account belong to the minor. Since these
help your child qualify for financial aid
income; however, earnings accumulate
accounts are irrevocable gifts, a donor
by shielding your 401(k) savings from
tax-free and distributions are tax-exempt.
cannot change his or her mind later if the
prying eyes.
You may contribute $500 per year,
child decides to use the funds for another
When should you start saving for your
with reductions in the allowable amount
purpose.
children's college education? There is
for a single taxpayer earning more than
If the money is used for education,
only one answer: yesterday.
$95,000 per year and for joint filers
colleges consider up to 30 percent of the
MORE INFO
earning more than $150,000. This can be
money in the trust when calculating
an excellent starting point for saving for
financial aid. If your child might qualify
*"Paying for College: A Step-by-Step
your child's education. For example:
for financial aid, you may be better off
College Planning Guide," free from T.
Saving $500 annually for 18 years and
keeping the savings in your own name.
Rowe Price. Call (800) 638-5660.
earning 10 percent interest would
Barry Sullivan, a vice president and
accumulate $25,079 in the fund -
financial consultant with Merrill Lynch,
*Financial Aid Information Page Web
although this is still short of the expected
counsels: "One of the most common
site: http:// www.finaid.org A free,
future college education costs.
mistakes young parents make is to avoid
comprehensive, independent guide to
The main downside to an EIRA is that
building up their tax-advantaged savings
student financial aid created by Mark
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
72
Kantrowitz, author of "The Prentice Hall
(800) 338-3282.
the highest tuition charged by a Virginia
Guide to Scholarships and Fellowships
public college or university.
for Math and Science Students."
*Virginia Prepaid Education Program,
VPEP covers tuition and fees, but not
P.O. Box 607, Richmond, Va.
room and board or other expenses.
*"Planning for College," free general
23218-0607. Call (888) 567-0540; TTD:
There's an $85 application fee. Plans
guide from Investment Company
(800)
253-0737;
or
e-mail:
include a lump-sum payment, a five-year
Institute, 1600 M St. N.W., Washington,
[email protected].
plan for children who have not yet
D.C. 20036.
VIRGINIA'S PLAN
completed the seventh grade and a
*"Parents' Guide to Paying for College
monthly installment plan.
(006046)", available in late September
The Virginia Prepaid Education
The deadline for signing up every year
from The College Board. Call (800)
Program, called VPEP, lets you lock in
is Feb. 28, and the first payment is due
323-7155.
the current cost of tuition and fees at
that May 1. Only children who are
Virginia public colleges and universities.
currently in the ninth grade or younger
*"Paying Less for College," financial
Contracts are also available for Virginia
may enroll in the program.
information on 1,700 schools from
private and out-of-state schools, which
For more information, call (888)
Peterson's Book Order Department, P.O.
pay the actual earnings on the savings
567-0540 or e-mail: [email protected].
Box 2123, Princeton, N.J. 08543. Call
less an administrative fee and capped at
ART PHOTO, CHART
75. Richmond Times-Dispatch
08/03/98; Edition: City; Section: Prime Living; Page E-2
CONFUSED ABOUT HOW TO PLAN FOR TUITION?
By Ross And Kathryn Petras
in the last 20 years, and it appears they
Here are some tips to help ease the
College costs have risen astronomically
will continue to rise.
confusion:
School type. Have a rough idea of
schedule, sign up for automatic payroll
since interest payments take years to pay
what kind of college your child will
deductions at work - that way there's no
off. This doesn't mean you shouldn't
attend so you can estimate what you'll be
way you can blow it.
consider loans. Your child can get a
paying for. The costs between a state
Free planners. Even if you don't own a
student loan - or, if necessary, you can
school and an Ivy League or private
mutual fund, many big mutual fund
take advantage of other loans to pay off
college vary dramatically.
companies will send you a free detailed
tuition bills, or even borrow from your
Project college expenses. Like
planner that lets you plug in numbers and
401(k). (Some planners advise against
planning for retirement, you need to have
come up with a monthly amount to save.
dipping into retirement savings.)
a general idea of the total. This will tell
Their hope is that you decide to invest
Financial aid is not always easy to get,
you how much to put aside each year to
with them. But even if you don't, they'll
but it is possible even for middle-class
meet your goal.
send you the planning booklet. T. Rowe
families. Likewise, scholarships aren't
Divide and conquer. Figure out the
Price has a particularly good one.
always easy to get, but they're a great way
number of years between the time you
Possible money sources. Usually,
for your child to get a cheaper - or free
begin saving for college and the time
you'll rely on more than one.
-education. Of course, you should
your child will enter. Divide the total into
Typical sources are savings and
encourage your child to do well in school
the number of months left to get the
investments, probably the biggest chunk
and so increase the chances of
amount you need to invest each month.
of college money. Your income is likely
scholarships or grants. But do your
Consult a reputable accountant or
to go toward support such as room and
homework as well: Read up on the
financial planner for a worksheet to
board and part of the tuition while your
different sources of funds and explore
pinpoint the exact figure.
child is at school. Also available will be
investment strategies.
Start saving. Even if college is a long
your child's income from jobs or
Worried about money? Once your
way off, the sooner you start saving, the
work-study.
child nears college age, start shopping
less outlay you'll have to make.
Grandparents' gifts and inheritances
around for the best possible college at the
Compounding lets a small amount grow
are an increasingly common source that
lowest possible price. Think of
over time into a large one. Don't make
supplies money for education and a tax
lower-cost alternatives. Some ideas: Start
the mistake of thinking that savings will
break for grandparents. Grandparents can
in community college, then transfer to a
eliminate your child's chances of getting
set up trusts or life insurance policies
four-year school; work/study programs;
financial aid. It won't.
naming your child as a beneficiary.
ROTC; and commuter schools.
Get the savings habit. Set up a formal
Loans are a tried-and-true way of
Remember it's worth it. A
savings plan that you'll stick to. If you're
raising money for college but,
better-educated child will get a better job
not good at sticking to a budget or
unfortunately, one of the most costly
and have a better income.
76. The Pueblo (Colo) Chieftain
08/03/98
Magnet School Ready to Open Doors
By Mary Jean Porter World Reporter
School District 70 has gained another
high school.
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73
Starting Aug. 31, Pueblo Technical
work - the school will be open and
scheduling. transportation, program
Academy will open its doors as a
some teachers will be present - classes
offerings, conflicts with courses there and
technology-science magnet school that is
at the University of Southern Colorado or
at County," he said.
independent of Pueblo County High, its
Pueblo Community College, or jobs for
Amman is not sorry to lose the
former parent.
the students who have them, Muckel said.
Technical Academy.
The Technical Academy already has
Students may be excused from the
"I think it has merit on its own. With
its own administration - lead teacher
eighth period of the school day to
the staff and leadership it has, I look for
Kent Muckel was reassigned as principal
participate in athletics at the other
it to blossom. And students still will
in early June - and will issue its own
District 70 high schools or in ROTC at
participate in extracurricular activities
report cards and transcripts.
County High, but they won't be allowed
with kids at County High."
Students no longer will return to
to take elective courses at the other high
Vicki Walter, who has been a teacher
County, Rye or Pueblo West high schools
schools, Muckel said.
aide at the Technical Academy since it
for certain required courses, but will be
The District 70 school board approved
opened in 1994 and who will do her
able to fulfill all graduation requirements
the Technical Academy's four-day week
student teaching in physical science there
at the academy.
in June, with the provision it be
this fall, thinks the changes are good.
"We are no longer affiliated with
monitored for the first semester.
"I think it gives them more ownership
County High or Rye," said Muckel. "We
The decision to separate the academy
of the program," she said. "It feels more
will take care of our own attendance and
from County High came last spring after
like a neighborhood school.
paperwork."
a long series of meetings involving
"I think it's going to be good for the
The school will have a four-day week:
central administration, the school board,
kids but hard work."
students will be in classes from 8 a.m. to
staff and, finally, Technical Academy
John A. Musso, head of technology at
4:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
students, said County Principal Dick
the academy, agreed.
Fridays will be reserved for teacher
Amman.
preparation, student catch-up or extra
"There had been problems with
"It's going to be a full teaching load -
Kristin Walter, another junior, likes
The school will have food service
eight periods in a day," Musso said.
the idea of a four-day week because she'll
provided by County High and bus
"I think it's great since the workload
have Fridays to work on projects.
service.
here is a lot compared to all other
She said she might miss a few friends
The Technical Academy has five
schools," said Tony Carleo, a junior.
at County High.
teachers and an aide and, at the present,
"Friday gives us the chance to get to the
Muckel said the academy is "pretty
103 students.
work or to get to sports."
rigorous. Students do work pretty hard.
"We still want 20 or more students,"
Tony plays baseball and might go out
It's upper-level technology. Students are
Muckel said. "We're taking all levels. If
for football and golf so he likes the
expected to do some homework every
they're interested in technology or
eighth-hour arrangement.
night.
computers they can give me a call at
He's at the Tech Academy because
"We try to keep very strict discipline;
home."
he's interested in computers.
we feel it's very safe. We haven't had too
Muckel said he's been promised
"I want to be something like a CIS
many problems because of the open
additional staff if an increased number of
(computer information systems)
space (one huge room)."
students warrants it.
technician, which they offer at USC
Core classes at the academy include
For more information or registration
(University of Southern Colorado). All
English and math at each grade level,
papers, call Muckel at 564-5928 or Ms.
the computers they have here and the
social studies and science. Electives
Walter at 547-9041.
integration with USC - I'll have a leg up
include advanced technology, Spanish,
on the other students.
beginning and advanced computer-aided
Visit The Pueblo Chieftain Online at
"I do well enough in English but I'm
drafting and design, advanced math, field
http://www.chieftain.com/
much more interested in technology."
experience and the world of work.
77. Houston Chronicle
08/02/98; Edition: 2 STAR; Section: A; Page 10
Public schools crumbling as tax money hard to find
By DEB RIECHMANN
broken, and fire code violations are not
students wait for a new school to be built.
WASHINGTON Millions of America's
corrected.
"It's not unheard of to find a school in
children will return to class this fall in
A chimney dropped into a school
a state of disrepair, while just down the
shabby schools with leaky roofs and
library in South Dakota last year while
road there is a state-of-the-art prison,"
toilets, aging furnaces, cracked
students were away on a long President's
Education Secretary Richard Riley
foundations and peeling paint.
Day weekend. Dry rot, weak foundations
says.
Deplorable conditions exist in
and insulation problems forced officials
It's a problem that can only be
hundreds of the nation's 80,000 public
to condemn an Oregon middle school.
corrected with money. But tight
schools - in rural towns, suburbs and
Students now attend class in trailers set
education budgets, rising enrollment and
inner cities. They are literally falling
up on the front lawn.
a reluctance among voters to pass tax
down in some communities. And with no
Computer wire is simply draped along
hikes and bond issues have left districts
funds, boilers and windows remain
ceilings at an aging school in lowa as
with little money to repair and refurbish
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74
the nation's schools.
Aug. 11 to approve a 1-cent sales tax for
parent in Austin, Texas. "The new
More than 14 million children - about
school construction and repair. "We have
schools in the subdivisions look so pretty
a quarter of all school children in the
one middle school that was built for 450
from the street and their playing fields
nation - go to school in buildings that
students that has 750. There are actually
and grounds are enviable to us who live
need significant repairs, Riley said in a
more students in the portables outside
in town."
speech at School No. 16 in Paterson,
than in the building."
Money to build, repair and refurbish
N.J., which was built over 100 years ago,
"Our one middle school, built before
schools comes primarily from local and
around the time the first immigrants
World War I, was condemned by the city
state taxes, but in 1994, Congress
arrived at Ellis Island.
two years ago. They found a lot of safety
approved grants totaling $100 million to
"The overall situation has become so
problems - dry rot, not a proper
help. The money was slashed in 1995,
bad that the American Society of Civil
foundation, paper insulation," says
however, to help balance the federal
Engineers has said that our schools are
Martin Jones, a teacher in Lebanon, Ore.
budget.
our nation's No. 1 infrastructure
"The sixth-graders were moved back into
This year, the Clinton administration
problem," he says.
modular buildings at the elementary. The
announced a school construction
Riley doesn't have to tell the parents
seventh- and eighth-graders are in
initiative where states and school districts
and teachers:
modular buildings on the front lawn."
would share $5 billion in construction
"Thirty-two of our buildings were
"My husband and I are very concerned
seed money that would spur construction
built before Charles Lindbergh flew the
and bothered about the condition of
worth as much as $20 billion over two
Spirit of St. Louis (in 1927)," says Jan
public schools in Austin, especially those
years.
Olson, a high school counselor in Sioux
old schools in old inner city
City, lowa, where voters were to vote on
neighborhoods," says Nina Schenck, a
The federal money would help lower
dispute at all. America's schools are in
hard for the money.
the cost of financing the needed repairs.
serious disrepair," says Michael Casserly,
"We took charge and ran it through,"
Not everyone thinks it's a good idea.
director of the Council of the Great City
says David Hernandez, a kindergarten
Some conservative members of Congress
Schools, which represents the nation's 50
teacher who is president of the local
argue that if federal dollars are used, the
largest urban school systems.
chapter of the National Education
cost of the repairs will be inflated
He suspects politics is holding up the
Association.
because of laws that would require
federal initiative as legislators find ways
"My school was one of the first to get
districts to pay union wages to workers
to stall the president's domestic agenda.
a face lift - new lights, new cabinets, new
doing the work.
Also, some lawmakers in Congress think
furniture, paint, new cafeteria, wiring for
The proposal, which has not yet
fixing schools is the responsibility of
technology. I felt like I was in a totally
cleared Congress, would be a start, but
state and local officials - not the federal
new environment. It changed the mood
the price tag to patch the nation's schools
government's.
and tone. You could see the pride in the
is $111 billion, according to the
Local bond issues to help schools
school."
government's most recent survey on the
were failing around the nation in the
Educators are crossing their fingers in
condition of schools.
1980s and early 1990s as people moved
San Diego, Calif., hoping for the passage
The General Accounting Office, the
out of the cities and there was a declining
of a $1.5 billion bond measure that will
investigative arm of Congress, surveyed
confidence in public schools, he says.
be placed on the Nov. 3 general election
10,000 schools in 1995 and reported that
This trend began to turn around a few
ballot.
one-third serving 14 million students
years ago.
"Our schools are in desperate need of
needed extensive repair or replacement of
Last year alone, the council reports
repair," says Ron Ottinger, president of
one of more buildings.
that voters passed bond issues for
the Board of Education. "Roofs are
The GAO says 38 percent of big-city
construction and renovation in several
leaking, pipes are bursting and many
schools report at least one inadequate
large cities, including a $2.4 billion one
classrooms cannot accommodate today's
building, compared with 30 percent of
in Los Angeles - the largest ever passed
computer technology.
schools in rural areas and 29 percent in
for a school district in the nation; and
"We have playground equipment that
the suburbs. An estimated 67 percent of
$483 million in San Antonio - the largest
needs to be replaced to meet safety
inner-city schools, serving nearly 10
ever passed in Texas.
standards, and we have schools without
million students, report the need to repair
In San Jose, Calif., voters passed a
standard libraries and science labs. The
or replace plumbing, heating or
$42 million bond measure after teachers,
list goes on and on."
foundations.
administrators and parents went door to
ART Mug: Richard Riley
"The facts of the matter are not in
door, made telephone calls and pushed
78. The Washington Post
08/02/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: Sports; Page D10
To a Degree, Darrell Green Has Filled the Last Hole in
His Life
By Jennifer Frey
get up in the morning filled with the faith
he is a good father, a good Christian and
For almost as long as he can
that he is a good man. He knows he loves
a responsible member of the community.
remember, Darrell Green has been able to
and respects his wife, Jewell. He knows
He knows he is good at what he does for
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
75
a living even now, at age 38, Green
one, that is, except Green. So this past
My son didn't have to look anywhere else
commands tremendous respect at
spring, he enrolled in a special program
for an example to follow. That was a very
cornerback for the Washington Redskins
at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville,
proud time for me."
- and, more important, he knows he is
Va., paid his tuition, attended his classes
In an eΓa when professional athletes
good in the way that he lives.
- some in person, some by
increasingly dot the police blotter, when
That said, there was one thing that
correspondence - and accumulated the
parents often fear - rather than hope
nagged at him, one element missing. one
final credits he needed to be a
that their children will emulate a favorite
aspect of his life that was incomplete.
college-educated man. And this past
sports figure, Green went back to college
Green, you see, never finished college.
Mother's Day, he walked across the stage
for one simple reason: He wants to be a
He walked out of Texas A&I University
in Lawrenceville, his heart filled with
good role model. He wants to be able to
(now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1983 as
pride when he received a bachelor of
stand before anyone most importantly
a first-round NFL draft pick, a player the
science degree.
his own children and be confident that
Redskins jumped at with the 28th pick.
"When I graduated," Green said this
he sets an example of which he can be
He also walked out without getting his
past week, his face breaking into a smile
proud.
degree.
at the mere memory, "I finally felt
No one ever faulted him for it. No
confident that there was nothing missing.
"It was important to me," Green said,
reporter, no teacher, no administrator,
Green became a football legend at Texas
"that I can say to my son, `Be like
and certainly no child ever asked him,
A&I and a decent student. But he was too
Daddy,' and I don't have to be insecure.
"So, Mr. Green, where did you get your
far behind in his classes to catch up. And
He can see that I love his mom, I love
diploma?"
when the Redskins came calling after his
him, I work hard, I try to reach out to the
And it's not that he kept it a secret,
senior season, he left. He left, but he kept
community, and I have my degree. I'm
either. The adults he hired at his
looking back.
not perfect. I just want to know that if my
foundation - adults with masters'
Green tried a few times to return to his
children say they want to be like their
degrees and advanced educations were
schooling, but it never seemed to work
daddy, they won't be going wrong."
well aware that Green had not finished
out. Finally, Ernie Turner, who works
Fifteen years passed between the day
college, and if they were not, they found
with the Redskins' players on educational
Green left Texas A&I and the day he
out quickly, when Green made a point of
opportunities, introduced Green to Billy
received his diploma. In that time, he
leaving the heavily academic areas of his
Hawkins, the vice president of academic
played in three Super Bowls and seven
programs to their guidance and
affairs at Saint Paul's. Lawrenceville is
Pro Bowls, and established himself as
discretion.
nearly three hours from Green's home in
one of the best cornerbacks in the game,
Still, it bothered him.
Ashburn, but Hawkins convinced him
with a guaranteed ticket into the Hall of
"It was hard for me," he said, "to tell
that they could make the system work.
Fame. He also met and married Jewell,
these kids to finish their educations when
So Green went back to school. About
and they had three children, who are 12,
I hadn't finished mine."
once a month, he drove down to campus,
9 and 7 years old.
Green didn't complete a single class
and the other days he met with advisers
His life, though, was far from limited
his freshman year at Texas A&I. He
in Northern Virginia and did work
to football and family. Green constantly
didn't even enroll in any that first spring.
through a correspondence program. In
says "I don't want to sound prideful," but
Back then, he was a homesick kid from
the evenings, his kids watched him
it is clear that he is deeply proud of the
Houston, so miserable that even his love
struggle to finish all his assigned reading,
work done by the Darrell Green Youth
for football could not overcome his
and his papers, and the work he had left
Life Foundation, which he founded and
desire to return home. His mother sent
behind so long ago. His kids were there,
funds. The charitable foundation provides
him off to college with a $20 bill in case
too, on May 10 in Lawrenceville, when
financial, education and social assistance
of an emergency, and it wasn't too far
Green put on a cap and gown and
to inner-city children and their families.
into the fall when a member of the Texas
received the one missing piece in what
One of the centerpieces of that
A&I coaching staff caught him at the
has clearly been an exemplary life.
foundation is the Learning Center, out at
local bus depot, preparing to turn the
"My kids saw me walk across that
the Franklin Commons Housing Complex
money over for a one-way ticket home.
stage, they saw me at night trying to type
in Northeast D.C. Green wants the center
The coach took the $20 away from
my papers, they see my wife now she's
to be a model for a series of centers
Green, and escorted him to practice. It
going to school, finishing up her degree,
throughout the country. Education, Green
was only a temporary fix. When he went
too - and I like that," Green said. "I like
always tells center visitors, is a key to the
home for the holidays that winter, Green
that we're not afraid to say to our kids,
future. They are the same words he has
didn't come back. He didn't come back
`Be like us.'"
long told his children at home.
for more than a year - he drove a
ART
ph,,JOEL RICHARDSON
So Green's incomplete education
delivery truck instead, attended some
CAPTION: Darrell Green has found
bothered him. It's not that he felt like a
night classes at the local high school,
happiness in pro football, but he has
fraud when he stood before groups and
tried to figure out what to do with his
found fulfillment by getting his college
preached the value of schooling. And, in
life. When he finally went back, when he
diploma.
16 years, no one ever called him on it. No
"grew up and matured," as he puts it,
79. Chicago Sun-Times
August 3, 1998
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76
Feds probe suburb teacher pensions
BY MARK SKERTIC
given free private jet trips to Key West,
long the probe, which began last year, is
SUBURBAN REPORTER
Fla., and tickets to the Indianapolis 500
expected to continue. State Police are
A federal grand jury is looking into
by firms that wanted to invest the
assisting the FBI and the U.S. attorney's
the investment practices of the pension
teachers' money.
office, said Mark McDonald, spokesman
system that covers every suburban public
Robert Schau, the system's former real
for the Illinois State Police. "We're
school teacher.
estate analyst, told authorities about what
conducting interviews, examining records
Records from firms investing money
he believed were questionable investment
and evidence," he said.
for the Illinois Teachers Retirement
decisions, including contracts awarded
The State Journal-Register in
System -used by all Illinois public
without bids and deals made on the basis
Springfield has reported that the
school teachers outside Chicago -have
of personal relationships.
subpoenas have sought investment firm
been subpoenaed by federal and state
"It appeared to me the wrong sort of
records but have not required company
investigators.
things were driving decisions," he said.
officials to appear and give testimony.
At least one source has told authorities
Authorities declined Sunday to discuss
that key retirement system managers were
the nature of the investigation or say how
An Illinois auditor general's report last
retirement board and state school
governor, detailing what he felt were
year criticized the system's investment
superintendent, said it had nothing to do
questionable motives by some making
practices. Lawmakers were upset to learn
with the auditor's report.
retirement fund investment decisions.
about a contract the system had with
Schau, a former real estate analyst,
``I've never asked anybody to take my
Chicago-based Zimmerman Investment
was among those intrigued by the
word," said Schau, now an analyst for the
Management Co., which is headed by
auditor's findings. Too often, some
Kansas Public Employees Retirement
Thomas Zimmerman, the retirement
managers ignored their fiduciary
System. "Go ahead and dig. There's
system's former $106,000-a-year chief
responsibilities, he said. "There appeared
plenty of evidence of all this stuff."
investment officer.
to me many instances when they were
The retirement system includes all
The audit found his firm was paid $5.4
putting their own interests before the
full-time, part-time and substitute Illinois
million to make investments that lost
investors'," he said.
public school employees in positions
$266 million in less than two years.
Under pressure from Zimmerman,
requiring state certification. In the 1997
Robert Daniels, then the system's
who was chief investment officer and
fiscal year, there were 192,219 active and
executive director, said the system lost
acting executive director at the time,
inactive members and 59,352 receiving
only $46 million.
Schau said he resigned in 1992 for a
benefits.
Daniels retired in January. When he
"low five-figure" severance payoff. But
The system's investments had a market
made the announcement in August,
last spring he wrote to a number of state
value of $18.1 billion as of June 30,
Joseph Spagnolo, chairman of the
officials, including lawmakers and the
1997.
INTERNATIONAL
80. BBC News
August 4, 1998
Bilingual ban takes effect
Schools in California are coming to
practised since the 1960s, had allowed
20,000 children. Less than half are fluent
terms with the reality of a controversial
them to be taught primarily in their first
in English.
new law ending bilingual education.
language and encouraged to pick up
At Theresa Hughes Elementary
The law, resulting from voters'
English gradually.
School, where the student population is
approval in a ballot in June of what is
Critics say the new law is the latest
99% Latino, children in an immersion
known as Proposition 227, means the
attack on immigrants in California.
class began the day learning English
state's public schools must conduct
Others say that bilingual education
through words and pictures on the walls,
lessons primarily in English - whereas in
simply did not work and resulted in
role-playing, puppetry and hearing
many of them that is not the pupils' first
Hispanics in particular being condemned
lessons read aloud.
language.
to "ethnic ghettos".
"Children are very, very resilient,"
Under the law, children with limited
'They're resilient'
said Victor Chavira, a fourth-grade
English can be put in a one-year
As elsewhere, most California schools
teacher at the school.
immersion course. After 30 days, parents
are closed for the summer but in the Los
"They will adapt. But how well they
can get a waiver to put their child back in
Angeles Unified school district the
adapt remains to be seen. It's a grey
bilingual education under limited
pressure on accommodation has led to a
area.
conditions.
year-round staggering of classes and a
Bilingual education, which had been
new term began on Monday for almost
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77
COMMENTARY
81. Daily Texan
August 3, 1998
Education debates ignore real issues
By Corey Young
The Public Agenda study does more
whom they "represent." And let's admit it,
Daily Texan (U. Texas-Austin)
than weaken the position of the NAACP
standardized testing conspiracies and
(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas
-
on the issue of standardized tests. It
multicultural sermons are sexier than the
Tuesday Gary Bledsoe, president of the
reveals a disturbing trend in the debate
drudgery of actually fixing a flawed
Texas NAACP, will go before the U.S.
over race and education. The loudest
education system. Taking the politics out
Department of Education to complain
people in this long and painful fight are
of education and focusing on the difficult
about the "bias component" of Texas
starting to lose contact with the people
task of real reform would be a big step
standardized testing. He and his
they are trying to help and supposedly
for many of the people debating public
organization firmly believe that these
represent. Countless talk shows and
school reform and affirmative action.
tests are easier for white children to take
protests present angry and
As to where Bledsoe and the NAACP
and unfairly stigmatize African
uncompromising voices from both ends
are coming from, history clears a few
Americans. Bledsoe's voluminous
of the political spectrum. Jesse Jackson
things up. In 1909, when W.E.B. DuBois
evidence for this harsh accusation was
wants to make UT Law School professor
founded the NAACP, his aim was to
captured in a July 29 USA Today article.
Lino Graglia a "social pariah." Many
harness the power of the most influential
He says persuasively, "There is definitely
conservatives dismiss affirmative action
African Americans in order to effectively
a bias component, although its difficult to
as pointless educational welfare. What
protest. The history of the NAACP is
show."
gets lost in the flood of arguments and
highlighted by its involvement in the
Although Bledsoe's evidence is
attacks are the actual children being
legal system, with prominent lawyers
staggering, a new study by the research
argued over. The needs and desires of the
winning important cases and forcing the
group Public Agenda makes one wonder
students and their parents should always
desegregation of schools across America.
where, exactly, the NAACP is coming
be held as the starting point for
This, of course, is to be applauded. The
from. It seems only 28 percent of black
discussion of educational concerns.
problem is, the NAACP has been elitist
parents think standardized tests are
The Public Agenda research reveals
from its beginnings. Du Bois called for
"culturally biased against blacks." What's
that only a small minority of parents care
the "talented tenth" of African Americans
more, the Public Agenda's research found
about the supposedly insidious plots of
to rise up. But what about the rest? In its
an issue in education that white and black
standardized test makers. Most parents,
beginning, the NAACP neglected the
parents can actually agree on. It seems 73
black and white, just want their children
many poor southern sharecroppers and
percent of black and 77 percent of white
to have the best quality education
factory workers who knew nothing of the
parents think their kid's education is too
possible. And for them, that does not
"talented tenth" - some things never
often sacrificed for the sake of racial
mean "diversity" or an attack on the
change. Today the parents of black
diversity. Only 9 percent of blacks want
TAAS test. So why is no one listening to
school children must bide their time as
schools to focus more on diversity. It
their requests? Apparently leaders like
the NAACP and others fight a battle that,
looks like Bledsoe and the Texas
Bledsoe think they understand the
if won, will not help them - or any one
NAACP need to do a little more grass-
problem better than parents. The
else, for that matter.
roots research before marching up to
educational, administrative, and political
Young is philosophy senior.
Washington D.C.
elites have turned a deaf ear to those
82. Christian Science Monitor
August 4, 1998
Getting Beyond Cramming for Exams
Evangeline Wheeler
surprised to hear two new messages from
the evening. I had already stuffed my bag
TOWSON, MD. - One afternoon
frantic students.
with the books and papers I would need
last semester as I prepared to leave my
"Can I please take the make-up exam
for working at home after dinner.
office, I went through the ritual: with one
tomorrow?" asked a senior in my
It was late and I was tired after a long
hand I switched off the computer on my
cognitive psychology class. "Dr.
day explaining the concept of sampling
desk while with the other I picked up the
Wheeler, I lost my study guide!"
distributions to my restless statistics
telephone receiver to check my voice
exclaimed a sophomore in statistics.
classes. Their questions were still
mail one last time. I was only mildly
I decided to return their calls later in
reverberating in my head.
"Does the size of the sample really
It was this last question that upset me.
students hadn't been keeping up with
matter?" "Are all sampling distributions
I saw it as a loaded question because I
their regular studying. They were going
the same?" "Will this be on the exam?"
knew that behind it lay the fact that my
to cram for the final exam.
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78
End of semester. Everyone was
procrastinating on their assignments, I
beginning-of-semester-excitement.
looking forward to summer internships,
also share with them that I did the same
midterm doldrums, and end-of-semester
beach jobs, or as some students say, "just
thing more than once when I was a
panic, I face a personal challenge to help
chillin." My students were so anxious and
student.
my students succeed.
distracted during lectures, when a few
I am always conflicted at this point.
When former students rush into my
weeks ago they were animated by
Cramming sometimes works, I did it; yet
office needing advice on statistics
interest.
I tell my students not to. During an office
problems assigned to them by their
The refrain, "Is this going to be on the
visit one student plopped down in a chair
current professors, or others oversleep
exam?" rattled me as a college teacher,
and sighed, "I stayed awake all night to
and stumble late to class; when they ask,
just as cries of, "Are we there, yet?"
study for your exam!" It worked for her;
"Will this be on the exam?", I tell them
assault the sensibilities of patient parents
she earned a solid B+, a significant
gently to calm down and to focus. I
on long car trips with bored children.
improvement over the C- she made on the
remind them that with careful
I do well remember my student days. I
previous exam. I was satisfied that she
organization and regular study they will
commiserate with their end-of-semester
improved her grade, but I was disturbed
survive the panic. Then 1 reach over to
panic by sharing with them my own
by the cramming.
my stack of journal articles and hand
experiences as a college student stressed
All the research on memory shows
them a copy of the scientific study so
out about grades.
that continued study over time (called
they can check out the research
Who could forget those all-nighters
"distributed practice" in the academic
themselves.
spent writing a term paper or completing
literature) leads to more learning than
*
Evangeline Wheeler is an assistant
a lab assignment? Although I counsel my
cramming ("massed practice").
professor of psychology at Towson
students about the wastefulness of
With each cycle of
University in Towson, Md.
83. Los Angeles Times
* 08/04/98; Edition: Home Edition; Section: Metro; Letters Desk; Page B-6
Lengthening Class Time
Adrienne Mack wrote an essay about
Those times required children to work in
Math should be taught for two hours
55 minutes being too restrictive for
the early morning and late afternoon to
while teaching penmanship for half an
learning (Commentary, July 23). She is
help slop the pigs, harvest eggs and milk
hour is sufficient. History for one hour
right.
the cows. They were needed to clean
and science for 1 1/2. These are arbitrary
However, she has missed an
barns and help cook.
times but the idea is should be clear.
opportunity that cannot be overlooked.
In today's world those needs are no
Along with additional hours of
Learning over longer periods cannot be
longer in demand. Thus our children are
instruction, we need to measure teachers
limited to language arts. We must look
available to go to school from 7:30 a.m.
for qualification and pay, based on
deeper into the real workings of our
until 5 p.m. just as they might do when
student test results, not on tenure, how
schools and make radical changes so test
they go into the workplace.
many papers they write or how many
scores will go up dramatically. The start
The resultant benefits are huge. We
extra courses they take.
and finish times for our schools are based
could change the length of classes based
JUDD WENNER
on the agrarian economy of our past.
on the intricacies of the course material.
Los Angeles
84. The Wall Street Journal
08/04/98
ESAs Don't Divert Public School Funds
In her July 9 editorial-page commentary
not be more inaccurate. While I support
used for the child's educational expenses,
"The Next Big Free-Market Thing,"
vouchers, Education Savings Accounts
such as home computers, tutoring for
Amity Shlaes describes my proposed
are not vouchers. They simply allow
children with special needs, uniforms,
education savings accounts (ESAs) as
parents, grandparents or any scholarship
transportation, SAT prep courses, or
"federal vouchers." Although I appreciate
sponsor to save up to $2,000 per year, per
tuition for a private or religious school.
her attention to this meaningful debate,
child in after-tax dollars. The buildup of
her description of the legislation could
interest within the account is tax free if
Vouchers allow a transfer of federal
funds from public schools and, in fact,
decisions for their children.
funds; ESAs use private after-tax dollars,
would pour billions of new dollars into
Sen. Paul D. Coverdell (R., Ga.)
not government money, to help parents
American public education. ESAs, most
Washington
give their kids the best education
importantly, give parents - not the
possible. The accounts divert no federal
federal government - the power to make
85. Boston Herald
08/03/98; Edition: Al; Section: EDITORIAL; Page 026
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79
Principals can help ed success
Regarding "Mass. colleges faulted for
passage of legislation to bring the Boston
be put on new stamp designs. Fifteen
low teacher scores" (July 24):
Harbor Islands under the jurisdiction of
events were listed as top vote-getters. The
We have the means for removing
the commonwealth of Massachusetts so
first was the drive-in movie; the second,
incompetent teachers: principals. Let
that the islands would not be ruined by
television's "I Love Lucy."
them evaluate competency based on
development.
Number 15 was the Korean War. This
first-hand knowledge of teaching ability.
During the last Congress, I, along with
Korean "police action" resulted in over
Hold them accountable for student
Congressman Gerry Studds, filed and
50,000 killed and missing Americans.
performance. Reject any big-government
won passage of federal legislation
Number 15? This is truly the "forgotten
proposal to have anonymous test-making
creating the Boston Harbor Islands
war." Andrew J. Pullo, Member Korean
bureaucrats fire anyone who can't define
National Park, bringing federal money
War Veterans Assoc. Boston
a preposition.
into the island system and to make the
GM, not Vaughn, causes Sox trouble
But if we must test, don't use the
Harbor Islands more accessible to the
I agree with Joe Fitzgerald ("Mr.
Massachusetts test. Suppose that a
public. Additionally, to date, the
Nobody' gives up, and the Red Sox lose,"
doctor, after examining you with a newly
Massachusetts delegation has secured
July 24). Fans should recall this trouble
invented instrument, said: "You need
over $600 million for the clean up of
started with the arrival of Dan Duquette.
open-heart surgery. Tomorrow." Would
Boston Harbor.
You can't blame Mo Vaughn. He had his
you go ahead without proof that this
The debate over the fate of the Old
private life and should be left alone when
instrument works? Well, none has been
Northern Avenue Bridge is not a battle
not in uniform. Get rid of Duquette and
offered about the teacher test. I think this
for historic preservation, it is a debate
get back to baseball. Ed Fitzhenry,
test is faulty because I know highly
over public safety. According to the
Dedham
literate students who "failed" it. Clarke
city's Public Facilities Department, the
Gun license helped Capitol slay
Fowler, Professor of Education Salem
estimated cost of making the bridge safe
suspect
State College Salem
for pedestrian traffic, and in compliance
Supporters of gun ownership have
Moakley has rep as preservationist
with Coast Guard regulations, would be
been quick to point out that, in regard to
I read with great interest David Eisen's
approximately $15 million, and, as such,
the recent tragic Capitol shooting, the
article, "Bridge too far" (July 23). I was,
would not be feasible.
gun laws in Washington, D.C., were
however, appalled by Eisen's statement
Without demonstrated interest of any
ineffective. They forget that the suspect
that "preservationists and harbor activists
public or private concern to shoulder the
didn't purchase the gun illegally and
are on one side, and the city and U.S.
heavy burden of repair, maintenance and
wasn't a criminal until he entered the
Rep Joe Moakley are on the other."
preservation of the structure, the solution
Capitol and snapped.
My preservationist credentials speak
is clear. Public safety dictates the bridge
Gun bans had nothing to do with this
for themselves. I have secured over $50
should be taken down. John Joseph
incident, since the weapon was indeed
million for many sites in Boston. My
Moakley, U.S. Representative 9th
purchased by a "law-abiding gun owner."
Harbor Island credentials also speak for
District
This type of Second Amendment
themselves. During my years in the state
Stamp poll shows Korea's forgotten
flag-waving makes the rest of us
Senate, in the 1960s, I filed and won
The U.S. Post Office recently
"law-abiding" non- gun owning citizens
passage of one of the first pieces of
concluded a poll asking the public to
sick. Robert Murphy, Peabody
anti-ocean dumping legislation. During
determine the most important event of the
the same period I fought for and won
1950s, in order to determine the events to
86. Worcester Telegram & Gazette
08/02/98; Edition: ALL; Section: INSIGHT; Page C1
Are education schools lost among trends?
By JOHN LEO
"Oppression of the Disabled," and (get
Our schools of education have been a
A reader sent in a list of teacher
this one) "Erroneous Beliefs."
national scandal for many years, but it's
education courses at the University of
The reader was referring to a basic
odd that they are rarely front-and-center
Massachusetts at Amherst, along with a
10th-grade test in language, math and
in our endless debate about failing
note: "This explains why 59 percent of
other subjects, given to 1,800 would-be
schools.
prospective teachers in Massachusetts
teachers in Massachusetts.
STANDARDS VS. ESTEEM
flunked a basic literacy test."
Among other things, the 59 percent
The right talks about striving and
The courses listed were: "Leadership
who failed often couldn't spell simple
standards, the left talks about equal
in Changing Times," "Social Diversity"
English words such as "burned" and
funding and classroom size, but few talk
(four different sections), "Embracing
"abolished."
much about the breeding grounds for
Diversity," "Diversity and Change,"
Apparently they went into ed school
school
failure
-
the
trendy,
"Oppression and Education," "Intro to
without knowing much about anything,
anti-achievement, oppression-obsessed,
Multicultural
Education,"
"Black
then came out the same way. But at least
feel-good, esteem-ridden, content-free
Identity,"
"Classism,"
"Racism,"
they are prepared to drill children in
schools of education.
"Sexism,"
"Jewish
Oppression,"
separatism, oppression and erroneous
For an article in City Journal,
"Lesbian||Gay||Bisexual
Oppression,"
beliefs.
writer||reporter Heather MacDonald
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80
recently visited New York's City College,
to do."
This lack of concern for achievement
to see how a modern education school
The education schools take for granted
now has a racial cast. Asian and white
manages to fill its class time without
that education must be "child-centered,"
children are often depicted as somehow
making the dread professional mistake of
which means that children decide for
out of step if they work harder and
having any actual content or clear
themselves what they want to learn.
achieve more than blacks, Hispanics and
purpose.
Heavy emphasis is put on feelings and
other minorities.
She found the teacher talking about
the self.
Instead of working hard with children
"building a community, rich of talk" and
An actual curriculum, listing things
to reduce the racial gap, school of
how ed-school students should "develop
students ought to know, is viewed as
education theory calls for strategies to
the subtext of what they're doing."
cramping the human spirit.
conceal it under group projects or simply
Each student wrote for seven minutes
Ed-school students are taught to be
to demonstrate that achievement doesn't
on "What excites me about teaching,"
suspicious of authority and the notion
matter.
"What concerns me about teaching" and
that teachers might be expected to know
Various experiments are under way to
"What was it like to do this writing."
more than the children they teach, so the
let bright college graduates bypass
After the writings were read aloud, the
word "teacher" is in decline.
education schools.
teacher said, "So writing gave you
The fad word is now "facilitator," part
Connecticut has a program allowing
permission to think on paper about what's
guide and part bystander watching the
professionals in other fields to switch
there."
self-educating child.
into teaching from other careers simply
Then the students split into small
The traditional ed-school hostility to
by taking an eight-week summer course
groups and talked about their feelings.
achievement currently hides behind the
and a test.
"It shifted the comfort zone," said one
word "equity" - bright students must be
In New York, the Teach for America
student, already fluent in ed-speak.
tamped down so slower learners will not
program produced a sudden infusion of
Another said: "I felt really comfortable. I
feel bad about themselves.
very good teachers into public schools,
had trust there."
Smuggled in along with equality is the
also by bypassing the ed-school swamp.
"Let's talk about that," said the
notion that performance and learning
But the hidebound education industry
teacher. "We are building trust in this
shouldn't really count - they elevate some
is digging in to close these loopholes and
class."
children at the expense of others. Grades
protect its closed-shop monopoly.
But what they were not doing was
and marks are bad, too, because they
It makes no sense to force teachers
talking about anything in the real world,
characterize and divide children.
through schools as bad as these.
or about how to teach real lessons to real
The result is that the brighter students
People should be able to qualify as
children.
get little help and are often the target of
teachers simply by passing rigorous tests
The credo for education schools,
teacher resentment.
in their area of competence. Scrapping
MacDonald says, is "Anything but
Rita Kramer wrote in her 1991 study
the school of education requirement is
Knowledge."
of education schools, "Ed School
clearly the way to go.
"Once you dismiss real knowledge as
Follies": "What happens to those more
John Leo is a syndicated columnist.
the goal of education," she writes about
capable or motivated students is hardly
the make-work silliness in education
anyone's concern."
classes, "you have to find something else
BEST STUDENTS IGNORED
87. Harrisburg Patriot-News
08/02/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page B14
Other needs supersede 4-year university
Pennsylvania needs another institution
producing the computer engineers and
Harrisburg and Boston.
of higher education like it needs another
high-tech personnel needed in Dauphin
In the words of our first lady: `give me
law school. Your assertion (Editorial,
County. Or do you feel the post-graduate
a break.' Maybe the commonwealth
July 22) that in higher education `more is
relocation of such individuals to central
could purchase Harvard U. and relocate it
better' is ludicrous.
Pennsylvania would be an inhumane
to Dauphin County. The cost of such an
Did you ever hear of saturation levels?
hardship?
endeavor should be no greater than what
If memory serves me correctly,
Your allegation about the turf
it costs to build a sports palace in
Pennsylvania already has more four-year
consciousness of the existing order of
Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.
institutions of higher education than any
higher education and the damaging effect
Health care, day care and mass transit
other state.
it has on the economic and social
are where the money is needed. We have
Your argument on behalf of a
potential of Dauphin County sounds like
a sufficient supply of sports emporiums
Harrisburg University implies that the
a George Costanza outburst. But the
and institutions of higher learning.
university-saturated areas of Philadelphia
humor really emerges when you contrast
- Barry Ochs Shippensburg
and Pittsburgh aren't capable of
the higher education disparity between
88. Greensboro News & Record
08/02/98; Edition: ALL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page F3
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81
SCHOOL YEAR'S FIRST CHALLENGE
GETTING AND KEEPING GOOD TEACHERS ATTRITION HAS BEEN
HEAVIEST AT "LOW-PERFORMING" SCHOOLS, BUT THE
ATTRITION STARTED BEFORE THE DESIGNATION.
By Philip J. Kirk
number of teachers who are leaving
been taught by substitute teachers while
A new school year is beginning, and
schools that need experienced teachers
certified teachers were recruited and
some 10,000 new teachers are starting
mostly "low-performing" schools.
hired.
work in classrooms across this state.
An analysis of teacher turnover in
An added difficulty is that the first
Another 70,000 teachers are returning to
schools designated low- performing in
semester of the year is typically the most
their classrooms for another year. But, in
1997 showed that teacher turnover in
difficult time of all to recruit and employ
some schools, administrators are
those schools was three times higher than
well- prepared, talented teachers because
struggling to find teachers to staff every
in other schools statewide.
teachers who graduated the year before
classroom.
Some might question if the
already have jobs.
The teachers who are starting work
designation of the school as low-
This may result in our least
had to meet more rigorous standards to
performing resulted in the higher
experienced teachers or substitute
enter the profession, they are receiving
turnover rate; it is important to note that
teachers teaching students with perhaps
better orientation to their new jobs and
this was the rate before the
the greatest needs at a critical time during
they will earn more money during their
announcement of school status under the
the school year.
careers.
ABCs.
Students taught by a succession of
They also will receive assistance from
In some of the low-performing
teachers are simply not going to learn as
trained, paid mentors. But, many of these
schools, the turnover rate was 50 percent
much as other students.
teachers will leave the profession after a
in one year.
Teachers leaving low-performing and
few years for jobs that are less frustrating
Just imagine a work situation of 30
other schools is not just a North Carolina
and more lucrative.
co-workers where 15 of them leave in
problem.
The challenge for education
one year.
School systems in the United States
administrators is to recruit and retain
Besides the extra work of
will need to hire some 2 million teachers
competent, effective and caring teachers.
administrators who have to search to
in the next decade, according to U.S.
Rural areas traditionally have more of
replace staff, there's the emotional
Department of Education estimates. In
a challenge, but large urban systems,
upheaval for students, as well as learning
North Carolina, we'll need an estimated
which pay attractive supplements, also
time lost during the transition.
72,000 new teachers in the next seven
are experiencing problems in retaining
The higher turnover in these schools
years.
teachers and filling vacancies.
during the instructional year is especially
The State Board of Education is
disturbing.
particularly concerned about the large
It is likely to mean that students have
We want these teachers to know how
meeting higher standards.
When asked what would help retain
to teach so students will want to learn
Several of the components of the
high quality teachers, local school
and to know their subject matter.
Excellent Schools Act will make a
administrators cite parent involvement
The more our teachers know, the more
difference in our attempts to keep
and community support and respect for
our students can learn.
teachers from leaving the profession,
teaching as key factors.
We also want these teachers to be
including the low-performing schools.
Restoring respect for the teaching
committed to continually learning more
The Excellent Schools Act will move
profession is one of my personal goals as
and improving their teaching style.
North Carolina's teachers to the national
chairman of the State Board of
Gov. Jim Hunt has lead the national
average in teacher pay in the next three
Education.
effort to study teacher quality.
years through across-the-board raises and
As a new school year begins, I
As chairman of the National
additional pay for advanced certification
encourage you to call your local school,
Commission on Teaching and America's
and degrees and for additional
ask what you can do and then follow
Future, the governor was instrumental in
responsibility and work.
through on your commitment.
the development of two national teacher
While that will help, a Public School
Our teachers have a very important
quality reports that outlined steps to be
Forum study found that more than 40
job.
taken to improve teacher quality and
percent of teachers leave their classrooms
They deserve higher pay, better
quality teaching.
before they complete their fifth year
working conditions and the support of the
The governor also initiated North
because of a lack of discipline in the
entire community.
Carolina's bold Excellent Schools Act in
classroom and a lack of support from
That's where you can help in
1997. This act enjoys bipartisan support
administrators, school boards, and
recruiting and retaining excellent teachers
from the Legislature because it is focused
parents, in addition to low pay.
in all schools in North Carolina.
on increasing standards for teachers and
Parents and citizens have a role to
students while compensating teachers for
play.
89. The Washington Times
08/03/98; Edition: 2; Section: A;COMMENTARY;EDITORIALS;LETTERS; Page A16
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82
Keeping science education on the cutting edge
As president of the world's largest
system.
in science education. In the article, you
scientific society - the American
Providing access to science for all
briefly mention the results of the most
Chemical Society, which represents more
students does not mean dumbing down
recent report from the Third International
than 155,000 chemists and chemical
the curriculum. Your article implies that
Mathematics and Science Study
engineers - I read "Science aversion
wider access means watering down the
(TIMSS). While it is true that, in general
looms as serious threat to U.S. economy"
curriculum, but ignores several facts:
science literacy and physics, our
(June 19) with initial interest, but
First, as we approach the millennium,
graduating students did very poorly
growing concern. This article contains
science is a basic subject that needs to be
compared with those of the other
many errors of fact, implication and
taught in a fashion that makes it
countries participating in the study, your
omission, thereby putting your readers at
accessible to all students. Second, the
article failed to mention that our students
a distinct informational disadvantage.
standards help all students to think more,
in the third grade did much better than
They should know the facts:
rather than less, by emphasizing
the world average, and in the eighth
Scientists did set the nation's science
understanding and applying science
grade were about at the world average.
education standards. Your article states
knowledge rather than just memorizing
Many involved with TIMSS are trying
that the National Science Education
science facts. They demand that students
to explain why U.S. children perform
Standards were written by groups "made
think in a scientific fashion and engage in
worse on these measures the longer they
up primarily of educators, not scientists."
the kind of inquiry that engages the
are in school, relative to other countries.
In fact, they were developed under the
working scientist - not an easier task, but
Here is one explanation: When
aegis of the National Academy of
a harder one. Finally, this approach not
comparing science curriculum content
Science, whose elected membership
only shows students the real excitement
around the world, you can see that our
constitutes the most prestigious scientists,
and challenges of doing science, but also
students, especially as they get older, are
and included members of our society and
helps retain students' interest in science.
exposed to a curriculum that has been
many other learned organizations.
We cannot teach science to students who
described as "a mile wide and an inch
What's more, scientists participated
have opted out of the pipeline, nor can
deep." The standards, with an emphasis
fully in every stage of the development of
we build jobs and keep our research
on fewer concepts taught in greater
these standards. Science educators were
enterprise vital without training as many
depth, helps to address this issue and
also involved to ensure the success of
bright young minds as we can reach
moves closer to those nations that
these new standards in the classroom, as
while they are still in school.
outperformed us on TIMSS.
well as industrialists, who eventually
The standards are moving us closer to
employ the products of our educational
the performance level other nations enjoy
Finally, the article implies that notion
incomprehensible. As a college professor
that more students in more classrooms
that only bad-tasting medicine is good for
for much of my professional life, I can
learn more science than they do now.
you. I became a chemist because I
tell you that nothing is more rewarding or
PAUL H.L. WALTER
enjoyed chemistry in school; to me, it
fun - for both teacher and student - than
President
was fun to learn chemistry. I would not
the moment when both realize that
American Chemical Society
have become a chemist if the subject
learning has taken place. That's what the
Washington
were
dull,
irrelevant
and
standards are attempting to do: Make sure
90. Raleigh News & Observer
08/03/98; Edition: Final; Section: Editorial/Opinion; Page A10
Student courts must be free to punish campus crime
Your July 29 editorial "Crime under
would not allow a university community
take.
wraps" argued that records of student
to set standards that are higher than those
Furthermore, when the public learns
judicial matters should be open to the
of society at large.
that a student has broken the law, not
public. The editorial ended by stating that
As students at UNC-Chapel Hill, we
only do other members of the university
cases of a "criminal" nature should not be
find that being part of a safe, honest
community look to the university to take
heard by "campus courts" at all.
university community is vital to our
action, but the public does as well. We
If your suggested policy were
education. The community has the
encourage The N&O to consider the
followed, universities would be unable to
responsibility to set high expectations for
ramifications of your suggestion, not only
sanction students who engage in
its members, one of which should
for universities but also for the
underage drinking, vandalism, fighting,
certainly be to uphold North Carolina
communities surrounding them.
hazing, theft of community members'
laws. When a fellow student chooses to
Sabrina K. Presnell
property or breaking into another
break the trust established within our
Student Attorney General
person's computer records. Such a policy
community, as student judicial leaders we
Gerald C. Andrady
would greatly impede the role of
take action to ensure that integrity is
Undergraduate Honor Court Chair
universities in educating students about
maintained, in addition to whatever
UNC-Chapel Hill
their civic responsibilities and essentially
action criminal courts may choose to
Chapel Hill
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83
91. The Sacramento Bee
08/03/98; Edition: METRO FINAL; Section: EDITORIALS; Page B7
`LOOPING' KEEPS KIDS, TEACHERS TOGETHER
FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR
By Michele Fuetsch
with teachers. The program is seven years
Those familiar with looping say the
Educators across the country are hailing
old.
secret of success is simple: When a
a teaching strategy as old as the one-room
Educators who are trying looping
teacher stays with the same youngsters
schoolhouse but as fast-spreading as a
credit it with reducing discipline
for two years, they say, about six weeks
new Disney video.
problems and the number of students
of instruction time gets added to a
Called looping, or multiyear
held back in a grade while improving test
two-year academic cycle. No time is lost
assignments, the strategy keeps a teacher
scores, the emotional health of students,
at the start of the second year, they say,
with the same group of children for more
the involvement of parents and the
when a new teacher would have to spend
than one academic year. Some educators
academic performance of students. In
time getting to know the names,
say the idea is the most effective,
Attleboro, school officials say that over
personalities, strengths and weaknesses
profound innovation to enter American
two years, looping increased the daily
of the students and their families. There
schools in decades.
attendance rate from 92 percent to 97
is no need for a teacher to assess what the
Unlike smaller classes or all-day
percent, while decreasing the number of
students learned in the previous year,
kindergarten, which require sizable
students held back by 43 percent and
because the teacher knows and can
financial investments, looping is an
referrals to special education by 55
immediately begin to individualize
educational reform that "doesn't cost a
percent.
instruction.
penny," says Ted Thibodeau,
Looping, the superintendent says, has
Teachers at Glendale Elementary
superintendent of public schools in
earned Attleboro consistently higher
School in Bedford, Ohio, say having the
Attleboro, Mass., where all first- to
scores on state proficiency tests than
same children for two years increases
eighth-graders are in a looping program
other districts with comparable family
their performance.
that has them spend two years at a time
incomes and parental education levels.
Karla Robinson says a looping teacher
academic success of looping lies in more
reported doubts about having the same
has a hard time blaming anyone else if a
than extra instruction time. "We think it's
behavior problems and personality
child fails to do well after two years.
about relationships more than anything
clashes carried over from year to year,
"You have to be sure you've done
else," he says, pointing out, for example,
said school board President Janice
everything you can to help him,"
that people don't want to go to a new
Marquardt.
Robinson says.
doctor every year.
Robert Lincoln, principal of Tolland
"It's intense," says 20-year teacher
"Significant relationships are where
Middle School in Tolland, Conn., where
Lynn Beveridge. "I find myself working
it's at," said James Grant, the New
seventh- and eighth-graders loop with a
harder at this."
Hampshire educator who popularized the
team of four teachers, says he solves
Bedford school officials say that when
term "looping." "Parents like it," said
personality clashes by moving the student
they evaluated their 3-year-old looping
Grant, founder and executive director of
to another class the second year.
program, they discovered something
the Society for Developmental
In the first year of his school's
other educators have noticed: that parents
Education, "because they want to have a
3-year-old program, Lincoln said, 12 of
overwhelmingly support looping and the
predictable adult in their children's lives
about 200 students asked to be moved,
teachers.
for more than 36 weeks."
while only four asked this year. Lincoln
"Parents thought it was tremendous,
Indeed, the Journal of the American
attributes the drop in part to the growing
the bond that was established between
Medical Association last fall published
cooperation he says looping produces
the parents and the teacher and the child,"
the findings of a longitudinal study on
between parents and teachers.
said Linda A. O'Neill, the district's
adolescent health that found the first line
"There's an increased commitment
elementary curriculum supervisor.
of defense against such self-destructive
both ways, and that's a very potent factor
Students whose young lives have been
behavior as drugs, alcohol and early sex
here," Lincoln said, explaining that it's
scarred by poverty or family collapse are
was a youth's love for his or her parents.
hard for students to elude responsibility
the youngsters many educators believe
The second line of defense was a strong
when the authority figures in their lives
could benefit most from looping.
attachment to a teacher.
are united.
"The comfort level with the teacher is
Grant acknowledges two pitfalls in
Lincoln said looping is a hot topic
so important for some kids," says Delores
looping: personality clashes between a
today in middle school circles as
Vehar, principal at Oxford Elementary
student and a teacher so that both dread a
educators and others seek ways to
School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio,
second year together, and the tendency of
connect youths more securely in
"especially if a child has been moved
administrators to overload looping
relationships with adults.
around from one place to another."
classes with children who have special
The academic benefits are high too,
Looping began at Oxford last year
needs.
Lincoln said, pointing out that his first
with selected classes in which teachers
One school in Ohio's Mayfield School
eighth-graders to complete a two-year
asked to continue on with their classes,
District dropped its first- and
cycle with the same team of teachers
Vehar said.
second-grade looping program, in part
scored higher on state proficiency tests
Attleboro's Thibodeau agrees that the
because some teachers and parents
than any other Tolland eighth-graders
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84
had ever scored before.
Plain Dealer, in Cleveland. Distributed
Michele Fuetsch is a reporter with the
by Newhouse News Service.
EDITORIAL
92. Investors Business Daily
August 4, 1998
Education Reform In Black And White
Americans spend a lot of time debating
parents agree it is absolutely essential
school choice - an option that many
race issues. But a new poll from Public
that schools "make sure students master
lower-income and minority parents don't
Agenda shows that black parents and
the basics such as reading, writing and
have.
white parents are united on education
arithmetic."
While Democrats oppose any school
reform. Both groups want public schools
Kids must learn and be challenged.
choice or education reform efforts, black
to raise their standards and demand the
More than eight in 10 black and white
parents grow impatient. Fully 60% of
best from kids.
parents say it is absolutely essential that
black parents say they would switch their
New York-based polling firm Public
schools "promote kids to the next grade
kids from public to private schools if
Agenda asked 800 black parents and 800
only after they show they have learned
money weren't an issue. Such Public
white parents about their views on public
what they were supposed to."
Agenda findings jibe with the other polls
schools. Here are some of the results:
Having a choice matters.
we've seen.
Good schools must focus on the
Fully 61% of white parents say they
Learning begins at home.
basics.
chose their neighborhood based on the
More than nine of 10 black and white
quality of its schools. This is de facto
Parents are critical of the schools, but
28% think it is a "serious problem."
Even though parents decry the state of
they also think a strong family plays a
These views are creating pressure.
schools, their dissatisfaction contains
bigger part in success than any school
"Although advocates of voucher
some good news. As the interest of
can.
programs sometimes point to the power
parents grows, the system will be forced
Almost two of three black parents
of the free market and need for
to change.
think a student from a stable and
competition as persuasive arguments, this
Schools must be more competitive,
supportive family who goes to a poor
study suggests that most parents come to
responsive, accountable and free to seek
school is more likely to succeed than a
the issue from a different perspective,"
tough curricula to challenge students and
kid from a troubled family who attends a
write the Public Agenda authors. "They
demand the best from them.
good school. More than three of four
are frustrated with public schools, want
Teacher unions and educators must be
whites parents agree.
results and are desperate to give their
part of this solution. Their low
In short, what parents ant-regardless
children the best possible chance."
expectations of students has hurt all kids.
of race - is higher standards.
"We've spent a lot of time on the race
To better educate our children,
More than half of black parents agreed
issues, and we need to redirect some of
schools must change. Parents of all colors
with the statement that when black kids
those energies to getting our children a
should demand it.
aren't doing well in school, "It's a crisis,
better education," said one black parent
and must be addressed quickly." Another
from Pennsylvania.
93. New York Times
August 1, 1998
Keeping the Census Fair
In 1990, for the first time in decades,
which families double up, children
in 20 Hispanics. About half the
the Bureau of the Census produced a
shuttle among relatives and adults move
Americans who never got counted were
count that was less accurate than the one
into and out of relationships make the
children.
that preceded it. Under Congressional
population increasingly hard to pin down.
To keep the same thing from
direction, the agency consulted the
The Census Bureau estimates it missed
happening in the year 2000 census,
National Academy of Sciences and came
about 8.4 million people in 1990, most of
officials decided to use statistical
up with a new, more statistically
them residents of rental housing. About
sampling techniques to check the
sophisticated procedure. But Republican
4.4. million others - many of them
accuracy of the count. Field workers will
leaders have declared war on the plan. In
college students and people who owned
be dispatched to 750,000 randomly
effect, they are fighting for a census in
two homes- were counted twice. The
selected houses to perform a second
which some Americans count for more
results were disturbingly skewed along
mini-census. The two results will be
than others.
racial and ethnic lines. One in 10 black
compared, and the bureau will try to
Changes in American life style, in
males were missed by the census, and 1
reconcile the differences.
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85
Sampling techniques are the state of
appropriations bill for the Commerce
should adopt a Democratic amendment to
the art in statistics, but Republicans
Department contains funding for census
the Commerce budget that would finance
contend that they violate the
preparations for only the next six months.
the census for the entire year, and direct
constitutional mandate for "actual
If the bill becomes law, next March
the bureau to be prepared to use either
enumeration" of the population. The
President Clinton will have a choice of
counting method. The Republicans have
party actually fears that since poor and
accepting the Republicans' demands for a
challenged use of sampling in court, and
minority Americans tend to be
less accurate count or allowing
in the unlikely event the Supreme Court
Democrats, correcting the census will
preparations for the census to come to a
decides to take up the issue, the judicary
help the opposition.
halt.
can decide the matter. Otherwise,
The Republicans are attempting to
The President may feel obliged to veto
Congress must stop trying to politicize
starve the Census Bureau into
a budget bill that endorses such an unfair
the census.
submission. The proposed
procedure. To avoid that, the House
94. The Washington Times
08/03/98; Edition: 2; Section: A;COMMENTARY;EDITORIALS; Page A16
The stakes for the economy
As expected, the economy slowed
year of expansion, the third longest since
Whatever one's views are regarding
considerably during the second quarter.
World War II. Despite last quarter's
whether or not the U.S. stock market is
The annual rate of growth for the
slowdown, U.S. economic fundamentals
overvalued, the fact remains that the bull
April-June period decelerated to 1.4
remain strong. The federal budget is now
market has been an important factor
percent from a roaring 5.5 percent during
in surplus, the first time that has
behind strong consumer spending, which
the first quarter, according to the
happened since 1969. And future budgets
has been the backbone of the economic
Commerce Department's preliminary
are projected to generate ever-larger
expansion. And now would not be the
estimate of gross domestic product
surpluses. In 1996 and 1997, productivity
time for a Fed-induced stock market
released Friday.
increased sharply, suggesting that the
correction.
The slowdown had several causes.
recent increases in wages and benefits
A double whammy of rising interest
Some are surely temporary, but others
will not be inflationary. The
rates and falling household wealth, which
may be longer-lasting. The general
unemployment rate has been consistently
would result from a declining stock
consensus among economists is that the
declining since 1992, reaching 4.9
market, could very well be enough to tip
General Motors strike, which began June
percent last year, the lowest rate since
the U.S. economy into a recession,
5 and ended last week, shaved 1
1970. And today's 4.5 percent rate is
notwithstanding its sound economic
percentage point off the second-quarter's
nearly half a percentage point lower than
fundamentals. With 13 of Asia's 19
growth rate. And a sharp, but welcome,
1997's. In the face of declining
largest economies already mired in
decline in the rate of inventory
unemployment, meanwhile, inflation
recession, the U.S. market must continue
investment knocked off another 2
continues to fall as well. Indeed, as the
to remain sufficiently strong in order to
percentage points. A huge and disturbing
Commerce Department also reported last
absorb Asian exports, regardless of the
8 percent decline in exports, reflecting
week, an economy-wide inflation index
effects upon the U.S. trade deficit.
the impact of Asia's economic crisis, and
declined once again, reaching an annual
Despite the central role that Japan ought
a sharp increase in imports, also
rate of a miniscule 0.8 percent. For all
to play in Asia's recovery, the likelihood
Asia-related, together chopped another 2
practical purposes, the Federal Reserve
that it is capable of meeting its regional
to 3 points off the second quarter's
has reached its goal of price stability.
responsibilities was dealt a major blow
growth rate. Yet all these deleterious
Last week's news of a slowdown in
last week. U.S. officials, it was reported,
effects, which together might have
economic growth and a decline in
have concluded that the bad-debt
resulted in an actual decline in output,
inflation suggests that the Federal
problem from Japan's banking crisis now
were offset by substantial increases in
Reserve will continue to find no need to
approaches $1 trillion, almost double
other areas. Consumer spending, for
raise short-term interest rates in the near
Japan's low- ball official estimate. Thus,
example, increased by 5.8 percent, only
future. And that is very good news, both
for the sake of the global economy, in
slightly below the first quarter's rate. And
for the U.S. economy and the global
both the short term and long term, it is
private investment continued to surge,
economy. In addition to dampening
extremely important for the U.S.
rising by nearly 12 percent, thanks in
consumption and investment, rising
locomotive, fueled by strong consumer
large part to a 17.8 percent increase in
interest rates would adversely affect the
demand and business investment, to
capital spending by businesses.
stock market, which has already declined
continue surging forward.
The U.S. economy is now in its eighth
nearly 5 percent in the past two weeks.
95. Los Angeles Times
* 08/03/98; Edition: Home Edition; Section: Metro; Editorial Writers Desk; Page B-4
The Internet and Child Safety
What thread links an Illinois preacher,
a Virginia pediatrician, a Dutch justice
minister, a New Jersey kindergarten
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86
teacher and a California Border Patrol
preacher and the border patrolman were
Here, for instance, Los Angeles Police
officer? All have been charged with
also charged with soliciting minors over
Chief Bernard Parks reported recently
receiving or distributing child
the Internet. These are examples of the
that the Police Department has already
pornography over the Internet in recent
growing number of cases in which the
filed twice as many Net-related child
months. The teacher (who has pleaded
Net has allegedly been used to commit or
crime cases this year as it did in 1997.
guilty to pornography charges), the
facilitate crimes involving children.
Penalties are sufficiently stiff and laws
they can never be recovered.
underwear; insist on knowing your child's
are generally adequate. State and federal
More ways should be found for police
cyber friends, and limit hours online.
fines and prison terms are hefty. The
agencies to get better computer hardware
Vice President Al Gore said Friday
problem is that local law enforcement,
and software, through purchase or
that the federal government will seek to
like the LAPD, is often technically
receiving donations, to help suppress
implement safeguards against the
outmatched, with their aged computers,
these nasty crimes.
collection of personal information from
slow modems and a lack of access to
In the meantime, experts have
children who use the Net. That's a smart
sophisticated software programs that can
suggestions for parents: Put the family
move. Some Web sites that attract
pull supposedly deleted images out of a
computer in a high-traffic area, like the
children encourage them to post their
computer. That gap figures to grow wider
living room, where its use can be easily
names and addresses. Preventing these
now that any pedophile with a few bucks
observed; warn youngsters against
postings would help limit the
can buy new software programs that
revealing personal information on the
opportunities of those who troll for
promise to erase files-in these cases,
Internet; warn them to drop out of chat
young victims, a hidden horror of the
child pornography files-so completely
room talk that turns to body parts or
cyberworld.
96. The Salt Lake Tribune
08/02/98Section: Opinion; Page AA1
Give Charter Schools a Try
Aside from radical reform, like
student needs.
such a scenario as public education
strapping per-pupil state education
Nationally, charter schools are the
subsidies following students into private
subsidies to the backs of students and
product of rising parental frustration with
schools. Charter schools are a reasonable
letting the money follow students to
public schools, especially those in the
compromise between stand pat public
whatever public or private school they
nation's inner cities where large numbers
education supporters and those who
and their parents choose, Utah's most
of students seemingly are written off by
believe the best way to improve public
promising education reform lies in
educators too busy, too demoralized or
schooling is to let it compete
charter schools.
even too lazy to reach them.
head-to-head with private schools.
Just recently, a State Board of
The charter schools movement is
Nevertheless, charter schools offer
Education committee approved start-up
popular. They are in 29 states and the
considerable educational promise and
financing for two charter schools, one
District of Columbia. Even allies of the
deserve a chance. Their success rests with
geared toward the arts near St. George
traditional public school system and its
results - reaching agreed upon
and the other for deaf students in the Salt
teacher unions, like President Clinton,
performance standards. The freedom and
Lake Valley.
back charter schools. The president last
flexibility they have is to better enable
It is about time. Charter schools offer
year announced $40 million in grants to
them to reach their students and achieve
parents, students and teachers a variety of
help charter schools open, and said he
agreed-upon results.
options that could energize and improve
wants to see more than 3,000 of them
Utah is to be congratulated for joining
learning. Charter schools have more
nationwide by the year 2000. Now there
the charter school movement. There is
autonomy from the often hidebound rules
are 780.
little, if anything, to lose and much to
of traditional public schools so they
Part of the motivation for all this
gain.
better can tailor their curriculum around
backing, of course, lies in staving off just
97. San Diego Union Tribune
August 4, 1998
Too good for the job
School superintendent set high standards
Any parent with a kid in Escondido's
Gawronski has demonstrated the kind of
the four schools as well as the
four high schools - or any with kids
leadership, competence and principles
construction of a new high in Valley
about to enter one - should don a black
that most superintendents can only dream
Center.
armband tonight when the high school
about. Among other things, she was
She upgraded the summer school
board announces the resignation of Jane
instrumental in the district's successful
program so that more than four times as
Gawronski as superintendent.
effort to pass a $43 million bond in 1996,
many students in the overcrowded district
In her eight years in the post,
resulting in badly needed face-lifts for
could attend (and take the courses they
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87
needed), expanded the adult education
She was the first person from the
superintendent in the state by the
program to nearly double its size and
CIF-San Diego section ever elected
Association of California School
encouraged more migrant students to
president of the CIF State Federated
Administrators.
attend school by adding extra buses.
Council, and last year was named the top
But, despite all her accomplishments,
cream at tonight's meeting. Board
district when the new Valley Center high
Gawronski had one major flaw: She was
members will fall all over themselves
school opened.
a strong leader in a city which just about
praising Gawronski's success during the
Never mind that Gawronski was
always elects small-town politicians to
last eight years. But at least three of the
successful in her independence. She
its school boards; politicians who can't
five will be laughing to themselves.
always seemed to overshadow the board,
stand being upstaged by competent
Make no mistake: Gawronski is being
despite her best efforts to the contrary.
administrators. And, as in a lot of other
fired. She was just too independent for
She was too good in an arena where
county school districts, when school
the board to tolerate. Some board
only somewhat good was demanded.
board members find themselves upstaged,
members didn't like it when she
It would be unfair to hold her
they do something about it.
supported an advisory panel's
successor to the standards that she has
It happened in Vista. It happened in
recommendations that the nationwide
set, and virtually impossible for any
Chula Vista, in Coronado and in
Peer Helpers counseling program be
successor to equal those standards.
Escondido's elementary district. And now
revised, when she conducted her fiscal
Escondido will miss her badly,
it has happened in Escondido's high
analysis of a charter school and when
particularly since she is departing only
school district.
she pushed for creation of a new, unified
because of the spitefulness of the school
Oh, everything will be peaches and
Valley Center/Pauma Valley school
board.
98. The (Boulder, Colo.) Daily Camera
August 4, 1998
Media bias distorts affirmative action debate
Astrange thing happened to news
surprisingly minor. This seems true of the
cycle. It had come to The Associated
coverage of affirmative action in the city
three major network news shows, too. A
Press from Texas late on a Friday, and
of Houston. When the issue was on the
computer search of transcripts turned up
the AP had not included it on the wire
city's ballot last fall, national news media
no evidence that they reported the
report sent to Washington state.
gave the story lavish attention. Houston
overturning of the Houston vote.
The Times missed it, Fancher said,
Mayor Bob Lanier led a fight to defeat
Michelle Malkin, a columnist at The
because the first version of the judge's
the Houston Civil Rights Initiative - a
Seattle Times, decided to make an issue
ruling that moved on the AP wire
measure challenging the city
of the media performance on this story, at
received at the Times was available for
government's race and gender hiring
least in her hometown. She wrote a
Saturday evening papers, but the Times
policies and contracting set-asides. When
column criticizing her own paper: In the
doesn't publish on Saturday evening, and
the measure went down to defeat by a
10 days between the judge's decison and
the editors working on the Sunday paper
54-46 margin, once again TV,
her column, The Seattle Times hadn't
focused on the Sunday material, not the
newspapers and magazines played the
printed a story. She had learned about the
stories in the previous day's package.
story big.
judge's ruling from friends in California.
Well, OK. People make mistakes, and
But a month ago, when a judge threw
No newspaper in Washington state
the AP feed to the Northwest was partly
out the results of the Houston election
carried the story, even though an
responsible for the sloppiness. But what
and ordered a new vote, the media
upcoming statewide vote on a measure
about the national media? Many have
weren't very interested. In Texas, the
similar to Houston's is a hot political
specialists who are supposed to follow
story was well covered, but outside the
issue now.
issues as important as affirmative action.
state there was very little media attention,
"Given its exhaustive coverage of the
For many newspapers, the story may have
and in some areas, none at all. The New
Houston election in 1997," Malkin wrote,
fallen into the crack between Saturday
York Times, for example, gave it six
"the Times' absolute silence is
and Sunday papers, but where was the
sentences on Page 13 in the last edition
extraordinary. Sins of omission can be
follow-up? A computer search shows
of a Saturday issue.
as damaging to the news media's
only one major non-Texas daily - The
In contrast, when the referendum
credibility as sins of commission."
Washington Times - publishing a full
results came in on Nov. 6, the Times
To its credit, The Seattle Times
report later in the week. And it didn't take
trumpeted the story on Page One. A long
reponded last week with an explanation
much news judgment to see that this was
report said, with some zest, "Houston's
that amounted to a semi-apology. Under
an important story: A judge canceled the
voters have put a suprising brake on a
the headline "Times Gave Story on
results of the referendum because
national movement that has often seemed
Houston Ballot Measure Short Shrift,"
supporters of affirmative action
to have the momentum of an unstoppable
the executive editor of the paper, Michael
preferences had tinkered with the
freight train." But when the surprising
R. Fancher, said the story had been
language on the ballot to make sure the
brake proved faulty, the story seemed
overlooked in an awkward weekend news
voting went their way.
This linguistic tampering has failed to
to remove the original wording, taken
any individual or group on the basis of
survive judicial review in California,
from the 1964 Civil Rights Act ("The
race, sex, ethnicity or national origin ")
Washington state and now Houston.
City of Houston shall not discriminate
and to replace it with language that
Judge Sharolyn Wood said it was unfair
against, or grant preferential treatment to,
seemed to state that all affirmative action
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efforts were being banned, not just clear
Yes, bias is an issue. More and more
coasts, journalism is becoming an
race and gender preferences ("Shall the
people now understand that the selection
upper-class occupation. It attracts and
Charter of the City of Houston be
and treatment of news stories often reflect
trains people who come to share the
amended to end the use of affirmative
the social views of reporters and editors
social views conventional among our
action for women and minorities ").
rather than any non-partisan or allegedly
clites. These opinions are pumped into
In admitting its mistake, The Seattle
objective standard. Our newsroom
news coverage, first by osmosis, then
Times acknowledged the issue of press
culture is so strongly committed to
through a determination to do good by
bias: "Failing to come back with a
affirmative action that a lot of reporting
doing journalism. It's widening the gap
complete story about the Houston ruling
on the subject is simply unreliable.
between the media and the rest of us.
feeds that perception, which critics use
The same is true on other hot-button
for partisan gain."
social issues. Particularly on the two
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