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Education Summit - Charlottesville, VA Part II 9/28/89 [OA 8749] [2]
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Education Summit - Charlottesville, VA Part II 9/28/89 [OA 8749] [2]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mark Davis Subject Files
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Davis, Mark, Files
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Subject File, 1989-1991
OA/ID Number:
13869
Folder ID Number:
13869-015
Folder Title:
Education Summit-Charlottesville, Virginia-Part II, 9/28/89 [2]
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19
2
6
2
States
BULK RATE
nent
Postage and Fees Paid
Office
U.S. Government Printing Office
PERMIT G-26
Weekly Compilation of
IDENT
NTS
Presidential
D.C. 20402
Documents
ISINESS
rivate use, $300
Monday, March 30, 1987
Volume 23-Number 12
Pages 289-316
WRITE HOUSEND RESEARCH LIBRARY CENTER
Mar. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987 / Mar. 26
[Laughter] But I was walking on down the
street all by myself-the band had turned
deeper and found out it was the language
problem.
nor Sununu, Secretary Bennett, distin-
their own dreams and determination. The
the corner. [Laughter]
But I have to say-and I think that the
guished guests, before I begin my remarks,
key here is lower tax rates and fewer need-
Well, again, I know that I'm supposed to
Federal Government has a part that is
let me say a word of thanks to our hosts,
move on. We've got this great conference
Principal Kenneth Clark and the staff, the
less regulations, and we've made great
that's waiting, and I think we've been
played in this, and not a good part-that we
faculty, and students of Hickman High
progress in both those areas. But the job
behind schedule for quite some time.
have come to the point where we're talking
School.
won't be done until we get control of Fed-
Students. Awwww!
about teaching both languages and teaching
This school, Hickman High, is a special
eral spending, so that tax rates won't go up
students in their native language, instead of
school with a long and proud tradition. The
again. That's why it's time for Congress to
The President. I feel that way, too.
[Laughter]
what the move should be if they're going to
one thing I'm told-and I'm sure it's true-
cut the Federal budget and leave the family
be in America: They have to learn our lan-
budget alone.
Q. I have a present for you. Mr. Presi-
it's the only school in America that has as its
dent, on behalf of Hickman High School,
guage in order to get along. And I will do
team name the "Kewpies." With a name
The challenge of preparing for the 21st
we'd like to make you an honorary Kewpie,
anything that I can to help to get rid of any
like "Kewpies," you've got to be good, and
century also includes working to build a
which is our school mascot, and present you
Federal interference that is trying to force
Hickman is. [Laughter]
fair, open, and expanding world economy.
with this sweatshirt.
local school districts to continue teaching
As you can see just by looking at the
This is where the jobs and prosperity of our
students in their native tongue. Their job is
future will come from.
The President. Well, thank you. I'll tell
trophy cases in the halls, over the years
to teach them English.
you another bad thing about my youth, too.
Hickman High has been an all-round cham-
And finally, it includes making sure our
When I was playing football, the cheerlead-
And could I just say one last thing? I'm
pion in basketball, swimming, tennis, and
young people are ready for the jobs of the
ers were boys. [Laughter]
taking too much time here. In East Los
football, as well as in areas like debate, dra-
21st century, making sure they're ready to
Angeles I met with a group of parents, His-
matic speaking, music, and mathematics.
lead a strong America in a strong and grow-
Note: The President spoke at 1:41 p.m. in
panic parents. And I asked them-a group
And Hickman has excelled in one area that
ing world economy. In short, making sure
the school auditorium.
of mothers—I said, well, why couldn't you
I, in particular, know something about.
that American education is the best in the
take turns volunteering to sit in the class
Every year 141 students from throughout
world. Yes, it's a challenge for every Ameri-
where there's a high percentage of these
the Nation are named Presidential Scholars.
can, the challenge of preparing America for
students, and if the teacher is confused, not
This program began in 1964, and since then
the next century.
aware that it's the language problem, you
Hickman High has been home to six win-
And that reminds me of a story. When
Columbia, Missouri
who speak both languages now, you could
ners, putting it at the top 5 percent of all
interject and find out if that is the problem
the schools in the Nation. And you can see
you get to be my age, everything reminds
you of a story. [Laughter] This is the story
Remarks During the Opening of the
with this student's lack of understanding.
why Hickman received the Department of
And they told me that there were regula-
Education's Secondary School Recognition
of the old fella who picked up some creek
National Governors' Association-
Department of Education Conference.
Award. Hickman High is one of the best.
land, some bottom land and along the
tions that prevented them from being able
Now, I'd better stop, or they'll make me an
creek. And it was rocky, and it was covered
March 26, 1987
to sit in a classroom and do that, because
honorary "Kewpie." [Laughter]
with brush. And he started in hauling the
they didn't have certificates to do such a
rocks away and cleaning out the brush and
Bill, could I interject a comment here,
thing.
When we talk about what works in edu-
then harrowing and fertilizing and planting.
because you've talked about something
Well, I think it's time we started looking
cation, we're really talking about preparing
And he had a truly great garden spot there.
that's very dear to my heart. I think, back
at the regulations and getting back to the
for America's future. Last month I said that
And one day, one Sunday morning after
in California when I was Governor, that we
it was time to begin a great American dis-
main subject, which is, yes, let's get every-
church, he said to the minister, when the
were sort of in the forefront with regard to
body to talk in our language.
cussion about our future and how to pre-
service was over, he'd kind of like to have
bilingual education. But my belief in the
pare America for the world of the year
him come out. He'd like to have him see
definition of that was it meant that-faced
Note: The President spoke at 2:20 p.m. in
2000 and beyond. What kind of country will
what he'd been doing. Well, the minister
as we are there, particularly with the His-
the auditorium of Hickman High School.
we pass on to our children?
came out on a Sunday afternoon, and he
panic group and language talked at home
In his opening remarks, the President re-
That challenge, preparing America for
took him down there and showed him this.
and not at school-that we were to provide,
ferred to Secretary of Education William J.
the 21st century, is as great an adventure as
Well, the minister was impressed. He said,
if we could, teachers adept in both lan-
Bennett.
the one that faced settlers who, more than
"I've never seen such melons. God has truly
guages, so that if a student was not getting
a century-and-a-half ago, started a town
blessed this land." And he said, "Look at
what he should get, they could find out
along the Flat Branch that they called Co-
this corn; how high it is." He said, "The
whether it was a language difficulty or not.
Columbia, Missouri
lumbia. It includes being sure that we make
Lord-well, the Lord has been good." And
And I met one young man who had grad-
the best use of our science and technology,
he went on in that vein, and the old boy
uated there in East Los Angeles from high
Remarks at the National Governors'
so that when we're first to invent some-
was getting more and more nettled about
school top in his class. He had spent several
Association-Department of Education
thing, we're also first to bring it to market.
this. And finally he interrupted, and he said,
years in a class for the mentally retarded
Conference. March 26, 1987
It includes improving the climate for entre-
"Preacher, I wish you could have seen this
because teachers had just decided that was
preneurship and growth, so that the young
place when the Lord was doing it by him-
what was wrong. And then along came-
Governor Ashcroft and Governor Ban-
people here in Columbia and around our
self." [Laughter]
God bless her-a teacher who went a little
gerter and Governor Campbell and Gover-
nation can live in a world where the only
limits on what they achieve are the limits of
This conference today is just one sign that
in the area of education America is no
304
305
Mar. 26. Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987 / Mar. 26
longer just waiting for things to happen.
sacred national heritage. You need orderly
We've come a long way from where we
people today we've ever had. I have a
gether with many other States, has given
schools that assign homework. You need
were 4 years ago, when our National Com-
hunch they want more attention given by
teachers raises. Utah also has begun a
schools with strong principals who have a
mission on Excellence: in Education issued
schools to ethical standards, not less. After
career ladder program, as we were told,
sense of mission. You need committed
its report card on American schools called
all, in an area related to values, drugs,
teachers who lead students to do their best
and has pioneered the use of computer and
"A Nation at Risk." The Commission found
they've been miles ahead of most adults.
and keep regular tabs on progress. You
satellite technology in teaching.
that high school students were scoring
With many adults saying that taking drugs
need schools that teach a sense of right and
And States and school districts are experi-
lower on achievement tests than at any
was a matter of doing your own thing,
wrong. And you need parents and commu-
menting, which is why we came here today:
point in the past 25 years-that's 13 per-
young people were telling us that drug
nities that care.
to hear about experiments in the 16 dis-
cent of all 17-year-olds were functionally il-
abuse was the most serious problem facing
literate-and the American students ranked
Basic skills, standards, discipline, work,
their schools. A while back, a student in
tricts in the 8 States that are part of the
last among industrial nations on 7 of 19 aca-
family support, ethical principles-this is
California asked Nancy what to do when
National Governors' Association program
demic tests. "A Nation at Risk" galvanized a
the new American consensus on the secret
drugs were offered, and she answered, "Just
for improving the quality of education.
citizens' movement for educational reform.
to quality education. And forgive me for
say no." Today there are more than 12,000
Here in Columbia, one test involves getting
Just Say No clubs across the country, and
parents involved in early education of their
This movement has gone ahead at every
saying so, but the only surprise here is that
level, from local communities to statehouses
it's new. Plato would have recognized such
there's one here at Hickman High. So, I
preschool children. Oak Ridge, Tennessee,
to the Federal Government. And the Gov-
"secrets," so would Confucious, Matthew
believe young people do want to hear about
is working to broaden the professional expe-
ernors have been out in front in every State
Arnold, and Benjamin Franklin.
values and standards of right and wrong,
rience of both teachers and administrators.
in trying to make the improvements that
And yet these so-called secrets were new
and they want to hear about them from
And in the White Mountains Regional Dis-
in most places, but not in Columbia. Last
adults.
trict of New Hampshire, they're using com-
must be made. Our Governors have been
among the most important leaders in this,
week members of my staff came out here
Some adults ask: Well, what values would
puters to analyze student progress as well as
including those Governors who are here
for a day. Columbia has a remarkable
you teach? Well, how about the Judeo-
the strengths and weaknesses of curricula
today.
number of outstanding schools. Again and
Christian ethic? It's as simple as the Ten
and textbooks.
This conference and the Governors'
again, I found out my staff was asking prin-
Commandments and as enduring as the
Well, let me say a little bit about what
report, "Time for Results," grew out of that
cipals and administrators: "Why? What's
Scriptures. And here are some samples:
we're doing in Washington. We've proposed
movement, a movement that has produced
made the schools here different over the
"Love thy neighbor as thyself." "Honor thy
restructing some of our programs to give
a broad consensus on what needs to be
years?" And one frequent answer was that
father and thy mother." And, yes, "Thou
States and schools more flexibility and to
done. And part of that consensus has been
Columbia never accepted the so-called re-
shalt not steal."
make the programs more effective. But we
that more money is not the key to higher
forms of the sixties and seventies. This
I've dwelt on values for a reason. Part of
know that 93 percent of the money for edu-
quality. The sixties and seventies were dec-
system stuck to basics and kept high aca-
it is that standards of right and wrong are
cation comes from States and cities. The
ades of rising spending but falling SAT
demic standards when others were turning
essential to any life that is lived well and
Federal Government provides less than 7
scores. And then it turned out that a
to fads like minicourses, grade inflation, and
should be a part of education. It's just this
percent. So, the most important thing it can
number of States-for example, New Hamp-
abolishing basic requirements. And one of
simple: Students with strong values do well
do is help the teachers, administrators, and
shire-spent only modestly on education,
the worst of those so-called reforms was
in school. But also, a school is a community,
parents. Reports like "What Works" and
but had among the Nation's most effective
value-neutral instruction.
and the Judeo-Christian ethic is a prescrip-
"Schools Without Drugs" are crucial. Sound
schools. Another part of the consensus is
Yes, too often in the decades of declining
tion for a happy and productive communi-
information is crucial.
that wealth and status in a community do
achievement, we heard school officials say
ty, city, State, or Nation. Getting back to
Education suffered when the Federal
not guarantee good schools or their absence
that teaching right and wrong was none of
values is part of getting back to basics. It's
means schools will be bad. Inner city
their business. A story about this appeared
part of preparing our country for the 21st
Government tried to give to much direc-
schools in poor neighborhoods, like those in
century. And it's basic to what every school
tion to local schools. Yes, the Federal Gov-
in the newspapers some time ago. A guid-
should do for every child in every classroom
ernment tried to buy much to much for its
East Harlem District 4 in New York City
ance counselor asked a class what they
in America.
less than 7 percent of funding. Some seem
and Charles Rice Elementary in Dallas,
should do if they found a purse with $1000
Since "A Nation at Risk" came out 4
to think that education is best directed by
stand among America's best.
in it. Well, the class decided that returning
The secret to educational quality is not in
years ago, Governors, as I said, have been
administrators in Washington. Well, I say
it with the money would be neither right
the pocketbook; it's in the heart. It's in the
leaders in the return to the fundamentals of
the American people know better than
nor wrong; it would be just dumb. And
what works in education. Many States have
anyone in Washington how to fix their own
simple dedication of teachers, administra-
when they asked the counselor what he
tors, parents, and students to the same
raised education standards. Almost every
schools.
thought, he said he wouldn't force his
basic, fundamental values that have always
State has increased either promotion, high
A few themes run through all the many
values on them. "If I come from the posi-
been the wellspring of success, both in edu-
school graduation, or college entrance
changes and experiments of the last 4 years,
tion of what is right and what is wrong," he
standards, or college exit requirements. Sev-
and those are the common sense themes of
cation and life in our country. You don't
told the reporter, "then I'm not their coun-
need schools filled with high technology to
eral States have increased them all.
getting good teachers and good principals,
selor." Well, I'm not sure what he thought
give children a good education. You need
he was.
Many States have also worked to improve
working with parents, focusing on the
schools that set high standards and pay at-
the quality of their teachers. Missouri has
basics, and measuring the results. And these
Now, let me say I don't believe the stu-
tention to the basics of reading, math, sci-
started a career ladder program and gives
themes all add up to the simple goal of
dents in that class were typical of America's
ence, language, and the meaning of our
special scholarships and loans to encourage
knowing where America wants education to
young people. We have the best young
bright students to become teachers and, to-
be by the year 2000.
306
307
Mar. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1987 / Mar. 26
Getting what America wants and needs.
even had a few words to say to a sixth
(2) the Secretary of Health and Human
ties and other matters affecting two or
It's like the story of the three fellows who
grade civics class. I'm a little better than
Services, who shall serve as Vice Chairman;
more agencies.
went into a restaurant. I wanted to tell you
civics than I am on computers. [Laughter] I
(3) the Secretary of State;
(c) In order to help coordinate the activi-
one last story before I finished. [Laughter]
haven't learned to use a pocket calculator
(4) the Secretary of the Treasury;
ties of Executive departments and agencies
They were ordering their dinner, and one
yet. [Laughter] Wouldn't do any good with
(5) the Secretary of Defense;
with responsibility for drug law enforce-
of them ordered a glass of milk. But he told
what Congress is doing. [Laughter]
(6) the Secretary of the Interior;
ment and drug abuse reduction, and to su-
the waitress that he'd been in there the
Well, today I've talked about preparing
(7) the Secretary of Agriculture;
pervise implementation of the determina-
week before, ordered a glass of milk, and he
America for the 21st century. Well, the kin-
(8) the Secretary of Labor;
tions of the Board, the Chairman shall:
wanted a clean glass this time. Well, the
dergarten children I saw today at Fairview
(9) the Secretary of Housing and Urban
(1) advise the Board in matters concern-
other two also decided to order milk. When
will graduate from high school in the year
Development;
ing its responsibilities;
the waitress came back with the three glass-
1999. This year's high school graduates will
(10) the Secretary of Transportation;
(2) make recommendations to the Board
es of milk, she said, "Now, which of you
spend most of their working lives in the
(11) the Secretary of Energy;
for the coordination of drug enforcement
wanted the clean glass?" [Laughter]
21st century. In the life of a man or a
(12) the Secretary of Education;
and drug abuse reduction activities;
By being clear about what we want and
woman, or the life of a nation, the 21st
(13) the Director of the Office of Manage-
what works, we've stopped the slide in SAT
(3) correlate and evaluate intelligence and
century's but a short, short time away. If we
ment and Budget;
scores. They're on the rise again. By 1990
other information to support the activities
begin to prepare for it now, it can be the
(14) the Assistant to the President for Na-
let's reduce by one-quarter the 40 percent
of the Board;
beginning of America's greatest century, a
tional Security Affairs;
of 13-year-olds reading below skill level. By
(4) act as primary advisor to the President
time when Americans scale peaks of oppor-
the year 2000 let's have everyone reading
(15) the Director of Central Intelligence;
and the Congress on national and interna-
tunity and achievement that we didn't dare
at their skill level. By 1990 let's resolve that
(16) the Chief of Staff to the Vice Presi-
tional programs and policies and the imple-
dream of reaching before. Yes, we can set
dent;
SAT scores will have made up half the
mentation of those policies; and
sail on new oceans of challenge and reach
ground they've lost, and by the year 2000
(17) the Director of the White House
(5) perform such other duties as the Presi-
new continents of hope. You are the path-
let's have them exceed their 1963 record
Drug Abuse Policy Office; and
dent may direct.
finders. You are the navigators.
high, which still stands. And finally, by the
(18) such other members as the President
So, today let's set our compasses by the
(d) The Board shall carry out all duties
year 2000 let's raise literacy levels so that
may, from time to time, designate.
fixed star of basic skills and enduring values,
and responsibilities of the National Drug
every American can speak, read, and write
Sec. 2. Functions. (a) The Board shall fa-
and start out the new century together.
Enforcement Policy Board, as set forth in
English and fully participate in the opportu-
cilitate the development and coordination
Chapter XIII (The National Narcotics Act)
nities of our great country.
Thank you, and God bless you.
of national drug policy and shall coordinate
of Title II of Public Law 98-473.
I brought Secretary Bennett along with
activities of Executive departments and
Note: The President spoke at 2:28 p.m. in
(e) Nothing in this Order shall be deemed
me today. And, Bill, I'm going to give you a
agencies to reduce the supply and use of
little homework assignment. In April 1988
the auditorium of Hickman High School.
illegal drugs, including international activi-
to affect the authorities or responsibilities of
it will be 5 years since we issued "A Nation
ties, enforcement, prevention and educa-
the Office of Management and Budget, or
any Office or official thereof.
at Risk," and that's when I'd like you to
tion, treatment and rehabilitation, and re-
issue a new report telling us how far we've
search relating to illegal drugs.
Sec. 3. Coordinating Groups. The Board
(b) In furtherance of its responsibilities,
shall establish a Drug Enforcement Coordi-
come and what still needs to be done, what
reforms have worked, and what principles
National Drug Policy Board
the Board shall:
nating Group and a Drug Abuse Prevention
should guide us as we move ahead. We
(1) review, evaluate and develop United
and Health Coordinating Group. The mem-
need milestones on our road to the 21st
Executive Order 12590. March 26, 1987
States Government policy, strategy and re-
bership and chairman of each Coordinating
century, and in education this report will be
sources with respect to illegal drug law en-
Group shall be designated by the Chairman
of the Board.
the first.
By the authority vested in me as Presi-
forcement, prevention and education, treat-
You know, earlier today I visited Fairview
dent by the Constitution and the laws of
ment and rehabilitation, and research ef-
Sec. 4. Conforming Amendments. (a) Sec-
Elementary School. It's another of the
forts, including budgetary priorities and na-
tion I of Executive Order No. 12368 is
the United States of America, including sec-
tional plans and strategies;
amended to provide as follows:
model schools in this district. I saw what a
tions 872, 873, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114,
fine principal, like Fairview's principal Dr.
1202, and 1203 of title 21 of the United
(2) facilitate coordination of efforts of all
"The Office of Policy Development has
James Wells, and a dedicated and talented
States Code, and in order to coordinate the
Executive departments and agencies to halt
been assigned to assist the President and
staff can mean to children in the early years
performance of all drug abuse policy func-
national and international trafficking of ille-
the National Drug Policy Board in the per-
of learning. I wasn't too surprised that Fair-
tions of the Federal government, it is
gal drugs and to reduce drug abuse;
formance of the drug policy functions con-
view is a model school. You see, one of the
hereby ordered as follows:
(3) coordinate the collection and evalua-
tained in Section 201 of Title II of the Drug
teachers there and I go way back, and I
Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is
tion of information necessary to implement
Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabili-
know she's great. Miss Joy Underdown
hereby established the National Drug Policy
United States policy with respect to illegal
tation Act, as amended (21 U.S.C. 1111).
taught my son Ron when he was in nursery
Board ("the Board").
drug law enforcement and to the reduction
Within the Office of Policy Development,
school and kindergarten a few years ago.
(b) The Board shall be composed of the
of drug abuse; and
the Director of the Drug Abuse Policy
You know, it's a few years ago. [Laughter]
following members:
(4) provide policy guidance to the agen-
Office shall be primarily responsible for as-
But I saw how the children at Fairview are
(1) the Attorney General, who shall serve
cies and facilitate resolution of differences
sisting the President and the Board in the
learning through the use of computers. I
as Chairman;
in this area concerning interagency activi-
performance of those functions."
308
309
09-08-89
Education reform 'running out of steam'
a recipe for education," said Phil Dun-
Carroll Campbell of South Carolina, co-
Chester R. Finn Jr., professor of educa-
By Carol Innerst
70P
shee, administrative assistant for educa-
chairmen of the NGA Task Force on Edu-
tion and public policy at Vanderbilt Uni-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
tion to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who
cation, will hold hearings in Washington
versity and a former assistant secretary
President Bush's "education summit"
became chairman of the National Gover-
on Sept. 13 with educators, businessmen
of education, thinks that "radical" steps,
with 50 governors later this month
nors' Association in August. "This will
and other advocacy groups, said Rae
such as a national curriculum and keep-
couldn't come at a better time because
provide a start for that discussion, and
Bond, NGA spokeswoman. The hearings
ing students in school until they have
the education reform movement is fiz-
additional momentum. It should not be
will take place at the Hyatt Regency on
mastered set goals, are what summit par-
zling, a prominent educator said yester-
described as the final solution to the na-
Capitol Hill.
ticipants need to talk about.
day.
tion's education problems."
"The White House is establishing the
A recent Gallup Poll, he said, "signals
The governors, many of whom have
agenda; we've been offering input," she
that the public is ready for much more
"The reform movement is running out
played leadership roles in the nation's
said.
radical changes in the basic rules of the
of steam we're running out of time,"
said Ernest L. Boyer, president of the
education reform efforts, have spent the
Although the agenda has not yet taken
system than anybody has yet proposed
Carnegie Foundation for the Advance-
past couple of weeks scrambling to put
shape, the issue of choice in public
and is ready for more sweeping changes
ment of Teaching and U.S. commissioner
together their piece of the agenda for the
schools, which Mr. Bush has pushed, is
than educators are comfortable with."
of education under President Carter.
meeting with the president.
certain to receive attention.
"This summit ought to talk about large
Many have called upon the Denver-
Mr. Branstad and others also want to
issues,
what we'd like kids to know and
Test results to be released over the
based Education Commission of the
talk about the roles of the federal and
be able to do upon emerging from formal
next few months, including the National
States to prepare background papers for
state governments and how federal reg-
schooling," he said.
Assessment of Educational Progress,
them on the issues they think are likely
ulations can be eased so that states and
won't give the public anything to be
to come up at the summit, said Chris
local districts have more flexibility in
Reform has "gone about as far as it can
happy about, according to another educa-
Pipho, director of the ESC Clearing-
their use of federal funds for education,
go in an ad hoc arrangement," said Mr.
tor, who is familiar with the congression-
house.
Mr. Dunshee said.
Boyer, who also urges national goals and
ally mandated sampling of what school-
Many plan to continue to do their
The Heritage Foundation and the Free
standards.
children have learned.
"homework"on education issues right up
Congress Foundation, in a joint policy
"Governors need a clear sense of how
The governors don't expect a final so-
to the time they leave their state capitals
paper outlining the conservative posi-
to work together
to start moving to-
lution to the nation's educational prob-
for the Charlottesville campus.
tion, have urged Mr. Bush to "issue an
ward clearheaded goals where 16,000
lems to come out of the summit, set for
Mr. Branstad will be listening to labor,
executive order to free states from cum-
school districts can get one act together
Sept. 27-28 on the campus of the Univer-
businesses and educators, including
bersome federal rules that frustrate
without destroying local vitality," he said.
sity of Virginia at Charlottesville.
teachers, the week before the summit,
state education innovation, and challenge
"The president's genius is that by calling
"This should not be viewed as a one-
Mr. Dunshee said.
states to do the same for their local gov-
the 50 governors together he is saying it's
shot discussion from which will emerge
Govs. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and
ernments."
a state responsibility."
TIMES 09-08-89
House panel approves
tuition payment bill
By J. Jennings Moss
13/70P
an employee who quit or was fired
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
within three years of being hired to
repay the government for the stu-
A House subcommittee yesterday
dent loan.
passed a bill to allow federal agen-
A similar bill is in the Senate Gov-
cies to pay student loans of selected
ernmental Affairs Committee but no
employees as a way to recruit and
action has been taken.
retain qualified government work-
ers.
The other bill the House subcom-
The measure is the first legisla-
mittee passed would close a loophole
tion born out of the National Com-
that allows federal agencies to stack
mission on the Public Service's rec-
performance review boards with
ommendations earlier this year.
non-career employees.
That group, known as the Volcker
The boards make financial per-
Commission, suggested a complete
formance awards to Senior Execu-
blueprint that included granting an
tive Service members, high-level ca-
immediate 25 percent pay raise.
reer government employees.
The Post Office and Civil Service
Mr. Sikorski, who introduced the
subcommittee on civil service unan-
bill with Mrs. Morella, said the
imously passed the student loan bill
scandal-plagued Department of
and a second measure to require that
Housing and Urban Development al-
performance review boards have a
lowed a majority of politcal appoint-
majority of career federal employ-
ees to sit on the board.
ées.
Office of Personnel Management
Rep. Constance A. Morella, Mary-
Director Constance B. Newman has
land Republican, said the bill would
opposed the bill, saying it was
"encourage new graduates to apply
unecessary because of recent OPM
for federal service and make federal
regulations to correct the problem.
service as attractive as private en-
terprise."
"I believe and the subcommittee
believes that the issuance of reg-
An amendment introduced by
ulations will not provide a perma-
subcommittee Chairman Gerry
nent solution, which would prohibit
Sikorski, Minnesota Democrat,
future and perhaps less informed
would let agencies pay up to $6,000
OPM directors from revoking those
a year or a total of $40,000 for any
regulations to once again permit
one employee's student loan.
agenices to engage in the type of
The original bill was introduced
activity we have seen at HUD," Mr.
by Rep. William Ford, the Michigan
Sikorski said.
Democrat who heads the full com-
mittee, and Rep. Benjamin Gilman,
The chairman said he expected
New York Republican.
both bills to be heard either by the
full committee or by the House be-
The legislation also would force
fore the end of the session.
Education Is Key to National Prosperity
parents, children are starting school these
Some observers have given great importance to "in-
Louisiana, with a low education level. was saved
Tays to get educated.
dustrial policy" in Japan - the government's attempts
financially for decades by its oil wealth. But now that
To economists, the youngsters are building
to steer resources to those modern industries that it ex-
the value of its oil production has diminished, the
"human capital" - the education, training, and other
pects to grow rapidly.
underlying poverty of knowledge is being reflected in
skills necessary for their later entry in the work force.
Sam Nakagama, a Wall Street economist of Japanese
widespread personal poverty.
The prosperity of a nation depends greatly on its hu-
origin, comments: "In assessing Japan's postwar eco-
By contrast, Massachusetts, la king in natural 16
man capital, economists say.
nomic success, it's hard to ignore the critical role played
sources, has had to live by its wits. The Bav State is/spe-
Indeed, Richard Freeman, a Harvard University
by the educational system. The continuing competitive
cial because of its large concentration of private colleges
professor of economics, reckons education to be the
success of Japanese industry clearly owes a
and universities, as contrasted to public -li-
great deal to its large pool of well educated
D
A
V
R.
most critical factor leading to high living standards
nanced institutions. About 60 percent of
generally more important than physical factors such as
workers, engineers, and managers. Japan's
FRANCIS
those students in higher education attend
mines, timber, farmland, roads, ports, and so on.
amazing ability to cope with such economic
these private institutions, a higher propor
Author George Gilder points out in his new book,
earthquakes as the energy crisis and the
tion than in any other state.
"Microcosm: The Quantum Revolution in Economics
doubling in the value of the yen owes a
These private schools are big business.
and Technology," that the Industrial Revolution de-
great deal to a highly trained labor force."
They will probably spend more than $5 bil-
pended on regimented physical labor, natural re-
Education and training, he continues,
lion directly this year, their students and
sources, crude energy sources, and massive transport
"are clearly more important for economic
visitors another approximately $1.5 billion
facilities.
success than such ephemeral factors as in-
on lodging, food, etc. The indirect hick to
"Wealth and power," he writes, "came mainly to the
dustrial policy."
the economy runs about $2.5 billion.
possessor of material things or to the ruler of military
Switzerland has high living standards,
At least as important, these prestigious
forces capable of conquering the physical means of pro-
but not because of its scenic beauty. Nepal,
schools attract talent to the state, Massa
duction: land, labor, and capital.
one of the poorest nations, also has great mountains.
chusetts has more people with doctorates in iene and
"Today, the ascendant nations and corporations are
Switzerland is prosperous because its people are highly
engineering, per capita, than any other state. I he same
masters not of land and material resources but of ideas
educated and use that knowledge in their industrial
is true for scientists and engineers without a PhD.
and
technologies.
Today, wealth comes not to the
and financial companies and in their tourist industry.
A Bank of Boston study shows that the
rulers of slave labor but to the liberators of human cre-
The United States has many natural resources. So
entrepreneurial alumni of the Massachusetts Institute
ativity, not to the conquerors of land but the emanci-
has Brazil, another country with a large territory. About
of Technology alone have founded 636 companies that
pators of the mind."
35 percent of US youths go to college and perhaps 20
have directly and indirectly created 300,000 jobs in the
History has already proved his basic point. The
percent end up with degrees. Brazil, with barely 50 per-
state. Education is the backbone of the state's famous
physical means of production in Japan and Germany
cent of its youths enrolled in primary and secondary
high-tech industry. Massachusetts has the third highest
were heavily destroyed by World War II. But the peo-
school, needs to educate a broader segment of its popu-
personal-income level among the 50 states.
ple of the two nations were educated, skilled, and will-
lation if it is to lift itself fully out of its third-world status.
Education's chief product remains mentally compe
ing to work. Japan and West Germany rank today only
Within the US, the value of education is proven by
tent and more complete individuals. Its major byprod-
after the United States in their economic might.
interstate comparisons.
uct is wealth.
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-08-89
Best-Selling Writer as Back-of-the-Class Scribbler
70
so much time sitting in a classroom."
about, that she means it when she says to
By Jim Benoivenga
How did the students react to the pres-
them, " 'I'm going to do something for
ence of this non-teacher adult, scribbling
you,' he says. "There has to be hope
Decades of research and reform
writer of The Christian Science Monitor
furiously in the back of the room for a
when you talk about the education of chil-
have not altered the fundamental
year? "I became a real piece of furniture,"
dren, and I found this in Mrs. Zajac and in
facts of teaching. The task of univer-
he says. The children "were told what I
knowing that there are thousands like
sal, public, elementary education is
I
T didn't take an entire school year for
was doing and realized I would not exert
her."
still usually being conducted by a
Tracy Kidder to realize that the great
any control over them."
It is his third book about a not-famous
woman alone in a little room, presid-
American education epic was one teacher
Were there any surprises over the
person at work. "There is something bio-
ing over a youthful distillate of a
in one classroom. In fact, it took less than
course of a school year sitting in a fifth-
logical about education," says Kidder. In
town or city. If she is willing, she
two weeks for grandiose plans to embrace
grade class in an urban school district? "I
any given generation we may not have
tries to cultivate the minds of chil-
modest realities. "The search for a grand
didn't use as much of what I call the 'exte-
many great poets or physicists, but we can
dren both in good and desperate
solution to education is part of the prob-
rior stuff,' says Kidder, though he re-
have many great teachers, certainly good
shape. Some of them have problems
lean, be says.
searched the subject thoroughly. Also, as a
ones, he says. There is a "web of influences
that she hasn't been trained even to
In a telephone interview, Mr. Kidder
nation, "we still go on imagining the
that a teacher can have, and I wanted to
identify. She feels her way. She has
emphasized that when discussing educa-
schools will transform society," he says.
show how enormous it can be." He makes
no choice.
tion, Americans fail to "deal with the par-
This may be a quaint idea learned in his-
a point of relating Mrs. Zajac's thoughts
From Among Si hoole Intdren'
ticular." His book does.
tory books, but it still has a very strong pull
about her favorite teacher, to those of some
He made an effort never to get up on a
on the nation's psyche. It comes home
of Mrs. Zajac's earlier students (now col-
soapbox. "I, wanted the story to stand on
when you see a roomful of fifth graders re-
lege graduates) for whom she was their fa-
its own." he says. "And that's why I spent
alize what this no-nonsense teacher is all
vorite teacher.
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-08-89
70 An Anthem to Teachers
HE 2.5 million American
T
in less children-intensive jobs
fessionals, such as doctors or law-
public-school teachers are
don't always understand.
yers? Or does the nature of their
gathering their books,
Tracy Kidder in his new book,
work with young people make
thoughts, and courage for an-
"Among Schoolchildren," writes:
them unique public servants? We
other year in front of the class.
"The task of universal, public, el-
think they are a little of both.
Let's stop for a moment and give
ementary education is still usually
As professionals, teachers de-
thanks for the women and men
being conducted by a woman
serve more autonomy and power.
who will instruct, cajole, worry
alone in a little room
If she is
They also should be held
over, joke with, and help our most
willing, she tries to cultivate the
accountable. Teaching is noble.
precious resource - our children.
minds of children both in good
But the recent trend to romanti-
In the past five years, there's
and desperate shape. Some of
cize it shouldn't be allowed to
been more recognition of the im-
them have problems that she
sway the public's right to demand
portance and value of teachers
hasn't been trained to identify.
better efforts. Many types of work
than in the previous five decades.
She feels her way."
are tough and lonely - not just
It's about time. Teaching has
Since 1983, teachers salaries
teaching. And few jobs have a
been undervalued and ignored.
have increased generously. The
three-month vacation built in.
A teacher with any integrity
average salary increased from
Plus, a husband and wife who
quickly finds that standing alone
$17,500 in 1983 to $29,000 in
teach today make over $60,000.
every day in front of 25 students
1988. That's a lot, and it has eased
As public servants, teachers
of every race, creed, and back-
the predicted teacher shortage
deserve and need moral support
ground - and who arrive already
(though not in math and science).
from parents and the public.
hooked on TV - creates demands
There's still a struggle over
Some of our finest people - our
and requires patience that people
teachers' identity: Are they pro-
unsung heroes - are teachers.
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-08-89
A Year in the Life of a Fifth Grade
Tracy Kidder records one teacher's joys, frustrations, and the day-to-day rhythms of her class
TO
Pedro, who lives with a trans-
Mrs. Zajac's lessons.
Ricans replaced Irish-American
vestite uncle and a tiny, 69-year-
If you didn't raise your hand,
families of the sort in which Mrs.
By Gene I. Maeroff
old grandmother he calls his
she would probably call on you.
Zajac (nee Christine Padden) was
mother. "I got four stepmothers,"
You could count on that. But she
raised.
Pedro said. "My father never gets
gave you a lot of time to answer
Focusing on a classroom in
HRIS ZAJAC is the sort of
married with women."
and she wouldn't get angry if you
Holyoke, as Kidder has done, is
C
caring, involved school-
This is not to say that the cause
couldn't, unless you hadn't been
not like looking at a classroom in
teacher that almost any
is hopeless and schools should not
paying attention, and she
affluent Pacific Palisades, Calif., or
child would be fortunate to have.
do better despite the socio-
wouldn't let your classmates make
in the heart of Brooklyn's Bed-
She is dedicated to her calling,
economic backgrounds of their
fun of you."
ford-Stuyvesant ghetto. But then
willing to give inordinate amounts
students. Kidder offers no apolo-
Perhaps Mrs. Zajac could im-
no two public-school classrooms -
of personal time to her work, and
prove her pedagogy, but Kidder
even on opposite sides of a wall -
sensitive to the needs of the indi-
never fully delves into the teach-
are the same. The author's choice
vidual children in her fifth-grade
ing possibilities that might moti-
of locale is as good as any if the
class.
Among Schoolehildeen
vate the students and help them
goal is to help the reader under-
Yet many students in her
be more effective learners.
stand the frustrations and joys of
Holyoke, Mass., classroom end the
The reader is the silent class-
teaching in an elementary school
year without making much
RACYKIDDER
room observer who comes to
and the extent to which home,
progress. Many bear the markings
know Mrs. Zajac, a softhearted
family, and neighborhood influ-
of youngsters who, within a few
disciplinarian, who is an intense
ence the behavior and achieve-
years, may drop out of school.
woman whose life is defined as
ment of students.
More than 30 percent of the
much by her vocation of teaching
One must wonder, though,
school's sixth graders failed a basic
as it is by her role as mother and
whether readers will slog through
skills test, and almost all in the fail-
wife. She can no more neglect her
250 pages to gain a better appre-
ing group were from im-
household chores at the end of the
ciation of the educational obstacles
poverished families, many of them
school day than she can leave be-
in the paths of a classroom of stu-
Puerto Rican.
hind the themes, reports, and test
dents and their teacher. To be
This is the world Tracy Kidder
papers that she lugs home each
sure, Kidder brings alive and per-
has chosen to describe in "Among
afternoon.
sonalizes what otherwise are the
Schoolchildren," a title that shares
The children in Mrs. Zajac's
dreary statistics of social scientists.
a certain irony with an identically
class are the dramatis personae in
Yet, how many really want to
entitled poem by W. B. Yeats, who
this performance, and like the
spend page after page, for in-
at the age of 60 explored his roots
characters in the old World War 11
stance, watching Mrs. Zajac try to
in the timeless milieu of a school-
movies, they assume the expected
cope with Clarence and agonize
AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN
room. Mrs. Zajac - "Ajax" to some
stereotypes - Judith, the bright
about whether she should let him
by Tracy Kidder
of the wise-guy boys is the teach-
Boston: Houghton Mifflin
student Mrs. Zajac cannot help
be transferred to a school for trou-
er among these 20 schoolchildren,
340 pp., $19.95.
but favor; Clarence, the some-
bled children?
and despite her determination
times lovable troublemaker;
While this is a difficulty,
and energy, many will not make it.
Robert, the emotionally disturbed
"Among Schoolchildren" is an ac-
This is a book for anvone who
child whose eyes are wild with
curate reflection of life in an ele-
wants a better feel for the day-to-
gia. But so much that happens to
fiendishness; and Claude, the
mentary school. where events
day rhythm of the classroom.
the children in Room 205 at Kelly
lonely misfit. unable to gain social
tend toward the routine. By. the
Readers will arrive at the end
School seems beyond the control
acceptance from his peers.
end. which happens to be the con-
of a chronological journey
of Mrs. Zajac or the school. She
Kidder devotes considerable
clusion of the school year. the
through an entire school year with
tries her best, keeping expecta-
space to the social history of
teacher is ready for a break and so
a greater understanding of the ad-
tions high and acting humanelv:
Holvoke, a working-class town in
is the reader.
vantages and disadvantages that
"You were supposed to raise
the western part of the state.
students bring with them to school
your hand before you asked or an-
where in only 30 years a sizable
Gene I. Maeroff is the author of
from home. There is. for instance.
swered a question during one of
number of impoverished Puerto
"The School Smart Parent."
TIMES 09-08-89
High Time for Stringent Standards
At a time when national leaders call upon the
applicable to the specialty. And many students
poor and struggling to work hard and resist the
have no chance of success because they have
lure of the easy way out, it is only right that
language and reading problems.
everyone encourage those who are: seeking to
And when students fail, they fail not only for
improve their lot by going to school to study and
themselves but for the taxpayer who winds up
learn. But some unscrupulous trade schools still
paying for government-backed loans that usually
peddle dreams and deliver disillusionment and
pay for courses that can cost as much as $6,000 for
debt to the students who enroll in vocational
six months. While vocational students receive less
courses with the hope of a good job and a better
than one-quarter of all federal student loans, they
life.
account for 35% of the loan defaults.
A bill by Assemblywoman Maxine Waters
Waters' bill would impose several requirements
(D-Los Angeles) would impose stringent stand-
that would expand state authority over vocational
ards on the approximately 3,000 vocational schools
schools, guarantee more rights for students and
in California. The schools teach a wide range of
improve the quality of the education they receive.
specialties, from lab technology to cosmetology to
The state could revoke a substandard school's
underwater welding. There is no doubt that many
authorization to operate, ensure that a school
vocational schools provide a needed service to the
disclose its success rate for past students, give
people who most need job training: the poor, the
students more legal rights and expand the mini-
undereducated and immigrants. But there are
mum education standards, among other things.
several dozen schools that aggressively recruit
Increased licensing fees would cover the $6-mil-
students and use them just to attract government
lion enforcement costs. The bill complements
funds-without giving the students the training
another meritorious bill by Sen. Becky Morgan
they bargained for.
(R-Los Altos Hills) that would overhaul and make
A Times investigation last year by staff writer
consistent the regulation of vocational schools and
Henry Weinstein found that although vocational
private postsecondary institutions.
schools derive more than 75% of their income from
The good schools have nothing to fear. But if the
government money, they are not obligated to
Waters and Morgan bills become law, as they
demonstrate any record of success. Too often
should, time will run out for schools that operate
students drop out because of shoddy equipment,
for the sole purpose of fleecing unsuspecting
lackadaisical instructors or course work that is not
students and taxpayers.
In Education, Small Is Sensible
109
We all agree that a good school
be tackled efficiently and naturally.
pound foolish. But just as the Empire
By Deborah Meier
can't work without greater trust and
Staff can meet to discuss issues and
State Building houses many compa-
support from families. But trust
differences without complex gover-
nies, large school buildings can house
love New York. I love Chicago.
comes from parents, teachers and
Big,
nance structures; understanding the
many small schools.
I love Beethoven's "Ninth
students knowing each other over a
budget does not require an advanced
That's happening right now. In New
I
Symphony." It's not an antipa-
period of time. Parental apathy de-
anonymous
degree in accounting. Looking in on
York City's District 4 in East Harlem,
thy to bigness that makes
velops as a rational response to large,
colleagues and, sharing ideas, be-
there are now 51 small schools in the
me. a fervent champion of
anonymous schools.
schools
comes possible.
same 19 buildings that contained 19
small schools. Rather it's
We agree that students fail to use
In small schools, parents hear
schools in 1974. Each cluster of small
"higher-order thinking skills" - in-
are self-
about the same teachers, students
the conviction that unless we start
schools can choose how to share
thinking small, none of the recent
tellectual reasoning, engagement and
and families year after year in a vari-
equipment and space, based on the
consensus that has developed around
curiosity. But we still place these neo-
defeating.
ety of formal and informal ways.
trade-offs they want to make. District
phyte intellects in schools where they
Trust builds and issues that arise get
needed school reforms is remotely
4 schools have become nationally
feastble.
rarely witness strong-minded, articu-
settled handily. Accountability to par-
known as schools that are good to
Small schools are not the answer,
late adults defending ideas, exchang-
ents, as well as to the community, is a
teach at and good to attend.
but without them none of the pro-
ing views or making reasoned deci-
less knotty problem.
Yes, small schools, like small
sions. Hugeness works against lively
large schools operate, of necessity, on
In a small school, strangers and
posed answers stand a chance.
towns, can be small-minded. But they
What teachers need is a direct
Intellectual intercourse.
the basis of bureaucratic values. In a
strange behaviors stick out and can
voice in the decisions they imple-
No one denies that school reform
be addressed with dispatch. Trouble-
offer the flexibility and structural
bureaucracy, the worst "crimes" are
ment. "Teacher empowerment" is on
won't get far until we do something
those that create disorder.
making strangers can be identified
simplicity needed to tackle the com-
everyone's list of needed reforms.
about drugs, violence and vandalism.
Young people cannot learn demo-
and peer pressure has an inhibiting
plexity of learning.
But what does this mean in a school
But the solutions appropriate to a
cratic values in a setting that does not
effect on violence or other antisocial
Just as language immersion is the
with 100 faculty members who rarely
large anonymous school - metal de-
value individual achievement, that
behavior. It's hardly surprising that
best way to learn a foreign language,
immersion in a small, caring school
see each other work, don't share the
tectors, quasimilitary pass systems
cannot notice triumphs and defeats,
private high schools in New York
same students and differ widely in
- Increase the depersonalization
has no time to celebrate or mourn, or
City have always had student bodies
community is the best way to learn
their pedagogical assumptions?
that contributes to antisocial behav-
respond with indignation or recogni-
of under 500. That's the right
what is a foreign language to too
lor.
tion as the situation requires.
size.
many of our young: the language of
Deborah Meier is principal of Central
We claim that young people need
Small schools offer opportunities to
Are small schools economically
participation, that difficult public lan-
Park East, a public high school in
settings that help them develop
solve every one of these critical
feasible? Huge school buildings may
guage necessary to becoming a mem-
Manhattan.
strong values and moral vision. But
issues. School-site empowerment can
have been pennywise, but they are
ber of a democratic society.
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-07-89
Chicago's Education Revolution
A
BOLD experiment in people power is
Legislature's accountability for the experi-
in the schools were recorded by People for
getting under way this fall in Chicago.
ment?
the American Way.
The city is inverting its school system's
The mayor, Richard Daley fils, will have a
Since Socrates, citizens have tried to con-
administrative structure. Local school coun-
new political issue. As will the entire city's po-
trol instruction under the guise of protecting
cils, dominated by parents, will decide what
litical colony. Many Hispanics, hitherto not
the young. Compromising state re-
is spent and taught. The councils will be able
legal voters, will be brought into the political
sponsibility for curriculum could put enor-
to hire principals for four-year terms, and
system during the next month's voting for
mous pressures on teachers and department
fire them.
the 6,000 council slots. This is good. But will
heads from vigilante outsiders.
Let's say at the outset this experiment
the schools be made the bush leagues of Chi-
I once faced such a challenge as a young
should be supported. Chicago's 410,000 pub-
cago empire-building? Politics
lic school students fare about the same as oth-
RICHARD J.
high school teacher just out of
can exploit the vulnerable even
college. A voluntary reading as-
er receivers of that city's services - which is
as it claims to rescue them.
CATTANI
signment included James
to say, they have one of the worst school en-
A school council will be made
Agee's "A Death in the Family:
vironments anywhere. Especially on the city's
up of six parents, two residents
The book made one derogatory
South Side, where streets often have no pave-
without children in school, and
reference to a member of the
ments, the schools reflect an ethos of aban-
two teachers, all serving two-year
clergy. School officials asked
donment.
terms. The principal will sit on
that the book be withdrawn. I
Not every school, and not every class-
the committee but not vote on
said I'd think about it
room, is a disaster. Exceptional principals
his tenure, which will be deter-
overnight. The next day I told
and teachers do make stands in Chicago, as
mined by at least a seven-vote
the department head and prin-
in other educational Beiruts, and establish
majority. The workings of such
cipal that if the book had to go,
enclaves of order, progress, and success. But
councils could be fascinating.
I had to go with it: It represent-
Chicago has so many young people who start
The principal and teachers will have to edu-
ed the voice and values that underlay sound
off at a disadvantage - blacks and Hispanics
cate the parents as to the legal and profes-
writing. The administration stuck with me.
are the city's majority - that a heroic attempt
sional requirements of education. Parent and
Years later I learned it was a local church of-
to reverse the hopelessness about education
resident councilors will have to keep the pro-
ficial, put onto the issue by a parent, who had
there should be tried.
fessionals' focus on the needs of children and
tried to ban the book.
The pitfalls are no less commanding.
the community.
Where individual schools are successful,
In one sense, turning over Chicago's
What about politicking to replace a prin-
parents, administrators, and teachers are
schools to the community is like turning
cipal by a board member's in-law? This goes
usually found working hard together. But on
poverty over to the poor. Education is the re-
on already where school boards are respon-
its scale, Chicago is attempting no less than a
sponsibility of the states. State boards of ed-
sible for an entire community's schools.
cultural revolution.
ucation set the standards - and indeed, in the
What about censorship efforts by local
May wisdom, courage, and the utmost of
new Chicago system, superintendents will be
parents, or attempts by religious and special
good will be with the city.
able to close down schools whose councils
interest groups to control the curriculum?
run them amok. But what will be the Illinois
Last year, some 172 attempts to censor books
Richard J. Cattani is editor of the Monitor.
N.Y.TIMES:09-07-89
Mississippi Schools Facing Move to Stem Resegregation Tide
10ptiz2
By RONALD SMOTHERS
Special to The New York Times
Mr. Anderson, the N.A.A.C.P. official,
LAUREL, Miss. Like tidal ebb and
said: "It's something that occurs
In doing so, the association presented
flow, desegregation followed by reseg-
among white parents, white lawyers,
evidence that more than 50 white stu-
regation has been a seemingly inexora-
white judges, white school administra-
dents living in Laurel gave false ad-
ble pattern in some Mississippi school
tors and in a white system. We don't
dresses or obtained guardianships so
districts.
know the extent, but we know it goes on
that they could attend schools in Jones
But as school opens here, local offi-
a lot."
County.
cials are under new pressure from
state and Federal officials to stem the
Legislative Action Taken
"I knew five or six myself who were
doing it," said Joe Frank Sanderson, a
resegregation tide by challenging some
Mississippi had already acted in the
white who is vice president of the Lau-
of the extraordinary efforts made by
last legislative session, tightening the
rel-Jones County group and who testi-
whites to avoid enrolling in largely
law on guardianships by allowing dis-
fied in the court case.
black districts.
tricts to disregard them if they deter-
"The guardianships were racially
"We have exposed something here,
mined that they were obtained only for
motivated and it was common knowl-
and now the whole state will have to
school attendance purposes.
edge," he said in an interview. "We
change," said the Rev. Johnny Ander-
And in August the State Attorney
General, Mike Moore, took the addi-
brought it up because it was always
son, a member of the Laurel school
tional step of asking the state's 82 chan-
suspected but just unproven."
board who is vice president of the local
chapter of the National Association for
cery court judges, who grant the
The Laurel case took another odd
the Advancment of Colored People.
guardianships, to warn those seeking
turn when the city's N.A.A.C.P. chapter
What was exposed, in part by events
them that they might be disregarded.
opposed the consolidation proposed by
this summer in this city of 19,000 peo-
In a letter to state education officials
the white parents and the Justice De-
ple in southeastern Mississippi, was es-
in July, Justice Department officials in
partment.
sentially an open secret around the
Washington said the "problem has be-
Mr. Anderson and the local chapter's
state: Whites who could not afford tui-
come so widespread that virtually
president, Manuel Jones, called the
tion in private schools established to
every area in Mississippi is affected by
consolidation plan a political move by
avoid integration would send their chil-
the transfers that often impede deseg-
wealthy whites to undermine growing
dren to public schools in other districts
regation." The Federal officials urged
black influence in the increasingly
the state to adopt stricter policies for
black district.
that were largely white, a practice re-
ferred to as "zone jumping."
guardianships and transfers.
'Subjective Opinion' Cited
Focus on Bogus Guardianships
"We want them to put in place a
more structured program for verifica-
Mr. Anderson said blacks, who make
The state had already begun to crack
tion," said Nathaniel Douglas, chief of
up about 58 percent of Laurel's popula-
down on one favorite tool used to estab-
tion, had won two of the five school
lish the residency needed for such
the educational opportunities litigation
board seats in recent years. He said the
switches: a bogus guardianship involv-
section of the Justice Department's
school system was "hospitable" to
ing a relative or family friend living in
civil rights division. "We think it is a
black students and did not make them
a predominantly white district.
state responsibility, and doing this is
feel alienated.
In past years, the guardianships
going to be cheaper than litigating in
"We didn't control the system, but
have been drawn up by lawyers and
all the school districts affected."
we had some input and it was educat-
routinely approved by state courts by
Strict Guidelines Planned
ing black students," be said.
the hundreds or even thousands in the
Arthur Peyton, the chairman of the
A Federal magistrate at first ap-
weeks before school opens. More often
Mississippi Board of Education, said
proved the consolidation, but a Federal
than not, such guardianships were
the board would introduce strict guide-
District judge reversed that ruling
readily accepted by school officials.
lines for the state's 152 school districts
earlier this summer. The judge,
The situation in Laurel was brought
when it meets Sept. 15. The guidelines
Thomas S. Lee, said the Justice De-
to light when whites blew the whistle on
could include hiring people to monitor
partment and the Laurel-Jones County
other whites in a court fight over con-
and report regularly on transfers and
group had, "perhaps unfortunately,"
solidating the mostly black Laurel
guardianships among Mississippi's
failed to show that the transfer ruses
School District with the mostly white
503,000 public school students.
had "a significant cumulative impact"
Jones County School District, which
Mr. Peyton and other state education
in resegregating schools in Laurel and
surrounds the city district. Laurel's
officials said they had not taken more
Jones County.
schools went from 46 percent black in
action because most desegregation
Judge Lee said he held "the subjec-
the 1970's to 75 percent black this year,
issues were already addressed by
tive opinion that there does exist a
while those in Jones County are 81 per-
nearly 70 Federal court orders and an
greater incidence of improper interdis-
cent white.
Evidence submitted in the case false
equal number of voluntary desegrega-
trict transfers, racially motivated
tion agreements.
transfers, than were actually proven"
addresses or obtained guardianships
but added that there was no objective
solely to avoid enrolling their children
**It is a problem and we are anxious'
proof that would support a merger.
in schools with large numbers of black
to do something about it," Mr. Peyton'
children. And a Federal judge has al-
said. "But we don't understand the Jus-
But the strength of the judge's sub-
ready mandated specific steps that the
tice Department's suggestion that we
jective opinion could be seen on Aug.
Laurel and the Jones County systems
have been derelict in our duty."
24, when he added to his original ruling
must take to investigate and verify
Advocates of school desegregation
a set of specific steps that each district
guardianships and transfers.
applauded the Federal and state ac-
must take to investigate and verify
Practice Seen as Widespread
tions. Phyllis McClure, an N.A.A.C.P.
guardianships and transfers. Included
lawyer, said the moves would deal with
in these steps were semiannual reports
No one, including state and Federal
officials and civil rights groups, has put
a "big, big problem which has been
to the court on the number of guardian-
together data on the extent of zone
with us for a long time."
ships and transfers sought.
jumping through the use of phony
School Consolidation Sought
"That's going to make everybody ac-
countable,' Mr. Anderson said. "And I
guardianships. But the evidence can be
The people who blew the whistle on
think that will be the model for what
found in the files of hundreds of princi-
the situation in Laurel, members of a
the State Department of Education re-
pals and superintendents who have
largely white group called the Laure!-
quires around the state."
routinely winked at the influx of white
Jones County Association for Excel-
students with such documents.
lence in Education, were pressing to
Jesse High, regional director of the
consolidate the Laurel School District,
Department of Education's office of
which has a stronger commercial and
civil rights, in Atlanta, said the prac-
industrial tax base, sound buildings
tice took place largely in Mississippi
and broad course offerings, with the
and to a lesser extent in Georgia and
Jones County School District.
Alabama.
The practice of using false addresses
or other deceptions to put children in
what their parents consider more di-
sireable schools is not confined to the
South. Parents in Northern states have
also been known to try to enroll their
children outside their neighborhood or
district schools to avoid attending pre-
dominantly black schools. But in Mis-
sissippi the practice seems to be more
widespread.
09-07-89
A Nationwide Move to Teach the Integrity of Clear Writing
70°
By KATHERINE BISHOP
Creative
portions of the speech in the essay's
by those logs. The result is writing on
Special to The New York Times
text, thereby learning about the event
themes like the pitfalls of ambition and
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6 - After 15
as well as the actual words of the
about things they were ashamed of
years, the instructors in the Bay Area
immersion in a
speech.
having done.
Writing Project, which recently com-
Other Model Programs
Ms. Smith said a recent evaluation
pleted its summer session, have reason
topic helps to
demonstrated that the program Is
While the Bay Area Writing Project
to believe that the rest of the country is
working. At Bret Harte Junior High
catching up to their concern for the im-
clarify themes.
Is widely replicated throughout the na-
School In Oakland, participating teach-
tion, it is not the only model for Improv-
portance of teaching writing.
ers had students write on one topic
ing writing skills. In New York City, the
Their optimism lies in that last
early in the fall and then write again on
Teachers & Writers Collaborative has
spring the Association of American
a similar topic in the spring. They
ties. The National Writing Project now
been bringing professional writers into
Medical Colleges announced plans to
found that the second group of papers
has a network of 165 sites training
the classroom since 1967 to work di-
include in its medical school admission
showed substantial improvement in or-
exam a test of writing skills.
more than 80,000 teachers yearly.
rectly with students assisted by teach-
ganization, fluency, specificity and
ers.
"There's an increasing call for whole
Explaining to Novices
grammar.
"Some kids are more inspired meet-
faculties - not just English teachers,
Ms. Smith, who was one of the origi-
Ing a writer," said Nancy Shapiro, di-
but also science and math teachers -
nal 25 teachers in the project's first
rector of the program. "That may be a
to use writing as a way for kids to not
summer session, recalls a typical day
catalyst for some students more than a
just retain material, but to understand
of work: A physics teacher picked a
teacher who's interested in writing."
sit and make it their own," said Mary
topic most of the nonscience teachers
Financed by state, Federal and cor-
Ann Smith, a junior high school English
did not really understand, like how peo-
porate grants and school fees, the col-
teacher who for five years has worked
ple see color, and had them discuss it in
laborative employs about 50 writers
full time as the director of the writing
small groups and then write a paper
and serves approximately 8,000 chil-
project.
about it as though they were explaining
dren, from kindergarten through
The Bay Area Writing Project, which
it to someone else who did not under-
eighth grade, each year.
is run from the University of Califor-
stand.
Ms. Smith said the teachers of the
nia's Berkeley campus, was begun in
In another session, a social science
Bay Area Writing Project rejected the
the 1973-74 school year with a $13,000
teacher demonstrated how students
notion that they should not require
grant from the university in response
could gain a deeper understanding of a
their students to read difficult works.
to the weak composition skills of enter-
broad topic by writing about one mo-
Susan Reed, a teacher at De Anza High
ing freshmen. Founded to teach teach-
ment in its history as though they had
School in nearby Richmond, whose stu-
ers to teach writing, it has became the
been there. Instead of trying to encap-
dents are predominantly from low-in-
model for the National Writing Project,
sulate the entire civil rights movement,
come and minority families, has her
also based at the Berkeley campus,
one participating teacher wrote about
pupils keep logs of questions and obser-
which was begun with a grant from the
the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I
vations as they read "Macbeth" and
National Endowment for the Humani-
Have a Dream" speech, interspersing
then write essays on topics suggested
WASH. TIMES 09-07-89
Jesse Jackson's latest revolution 201\70p
Jesse Jackson, the unrivaled master of the
apt symbol, wants parents to get involved in
sistently improves student achievement, he
elementary and secondary schools. He's urg-
ought to advocate reforms that give parents
ing them to go to school with their kids and
greater control over what goes on in schools.
Polls indicate that 85 percent of the nation's
meet the teachers, attend parent-teacher
low-income parents favor education
meetings and pick up the report cards at the
end of each grading period. He's asking them
vouchers, which would permit them to
to leave daytime phone numbers, so school
choose which schools their children attend.
Jesse Jackson, who has chosen schools for
authorities can determine whether absent
students are sick or playing hooky. And he
some of his own kids, certainly understands
this. Too, parents of all races have had it with
wants families to switch off their television
busing, which has severed ties between
sets for at least two hours each night while
students pound the books.
neighborhoods and schools. And voters are
Unfortunately, most area parents stayed
making it clear that they have lost patience
with bad teachers and the local unions that
away from school this week, thus demon-
defend them.
strating that it will take much more than a
pep talk to get them involved in education
Education reforms instituted over the past
again. Some have become sick of institutions
20 years have stripped parents of authority
that promote bad teachers and give diplomas
over schools. We can restore parental faith in
to unqualified students. Some have lost touch
schools only by dismantling many of those
because their children are bused to schools
reforms and challenging an educational es-
far away from home. Others have lost hope
tablishment that has prospered at the ex-
pense of parental discretion. Jesse Jackson
because they believe that outside forces,
such as racism, make it impossible for kids
may not have realized it, but in urging par-
to get the breaks they deserve.
ents back to school, he could set off a long-
overdue revolution in American education. If
If Mr. Jackson is serious about parental
involvement, which is the only thing that con-
so, every parent and student in the country
will owe him thanks.
WASH TIMES 09-07-89
Classroom acts and anxieties
SUZANNE FIELDS
TOP
the back-to-school time, but a
I
lot of us wouldn't know
where we were if we landed
in one.
Educationists can't de-
cide whether they ought to
provide day care for teen-age moth-
ers, install metal detectors to pre-
vent students from carrying weap-
ons into school, or hire armed
guards - or a reinforced Marine ri-
Cable TV's educational
fle company - to keep out the drug
dealers.
Teachers haven't figured out why
American students can't compete in-
offering
ternationally in math and science. Is
it their fault that many teen-agers
think the Gettysburg Address refers
to someone's street and zip code, that
Afghanistan is a fru-fru breed of
dog, or that Voyager 2 is a Star Trek
sequel?
Two-thirds of our teen-agers
watch more than three hours of tele-
vision daily and most of them still
couldn't come up with the name of
the secretary of state (or of their
own congressman), describe Soviet
President Mikhail Gorbachev's
problem in the Baltic states, or ex-
S.KELLEY
plain what the noise over Gen. Man-
uel Noriega of Panama is all about.
So it's all but incomprehensible
that many teachers and administra-
tors are outraged at the notion that
their classrooms should be exposed
to television news because (gasp!)
the news will be interrupted by two
minutes of commercials. They're
not even sure the schools should al-
low any television news, with or
without commercials, because it of-
fers only "passive" learning.
Well, the teachers (not all of whom
could answer a current-events quiz,
either) are missing a rare opportu-
nity. They can have their cable and
learn from it, too, if only they allow
their classes to watch one of the
daily current affairs television
shows now offered to public schools.
One is "Channel One," produced
by Christopher Whittle, which car-
ries 10 minutes of news and two min-
utes of advertising. It made its con-
troversial debut last year in six
schools. "CNN Newsroom," intro-
duced last month, offers a similar
sion show. Yet few students associate
format with 15 minutes of news and
their restlessness in class to televi-
no commercials. Ted Turner obvi-
sion. They don't know why they want
ously believes he can whet appetites
paper coverage of the same events?
the teacher to take a commercial
to be satisfied on other CNN chan-
Is there slant or bias in the stories?
break, but they do.
nels.
Does the medium affect the mes-
Classroom news shows could
These shows are not perfect. Thev
sage?
teach them more about the world
come with glitz and glamour. short
Like it or not. we live in a televi-
than simply news and information.
segments on serious subjects. but
sion age. and educators can either
Chris Whittle is offering $50,000 of
they can wake kids up to the world
harness the medium to offer infor-
electronic technology - television
around them and spark discussions.
monitors. videocasette recorders. a
What kids won't get there. many
mation. or ignore it and watch others
satellite dish - to the schools that
won't get at all.
use It for something less important
take "Channel One." With a little
Think of the questions a class
than feeding a young mind. Critics of
education frequently note that high
imagination, teachers could put that
could discuss. How do the news
school students lack "problem-
technology to other uses, too.
shows encourage a limited attention
The American Association of
span? What is the impact of advertis-
solving" and "decision-making"
ing on the news? How does television
skills. What better way to develop
School Administrators, the National
influence perceptions of events?
these faculties than by criticizing
Association of Secondary School
Or consider what an imaginative
television and content?
Principals, the National Parent-
By the time a student is a senior
Teachers Association want to reject
teacher could develop for homework
assignments. How do these shows
in high school. he has spent about
"Channel One," news, technology,
11,000 hours in the classroom and
imagination and all. They say adver-
differ from network news? How do
studied more than 13,000 lessons.
tising makes students a "captive au-
the news items compare with news-
He has spent 22,000 hours before the
dience." Captive to whom, besides
television set and probably watched
the advertisers the kids will watch
Suzanne Fields. a columnist for
as many as 750,000 advertisements.
as soon as they get home fom school?
Television encourages a short at-
Americans may watch more TV
The Washington Times. is nationally
tention span. which teachers will
and TV news than any other nation,
syndicated.
deal with, like it or not. One critic of
but few of us understand how televi-
television measured 39 attention
sion manipulates the way we think
shifts. including the commercial
about what we see. If Chris Whittle's
breaks, in a single 30-minute televi-
advertisers pay for that kind of edu-
cation, that's the kind of bargain we
won't often get.
TIMES 09-06-89
Help for Workers in a Complex World
70N130
By KATHLEEN TELTSCH
But in a time of big Federal deficits,
Because millions of American work-
action on literacy is most likely to
ers cannot read, write or reason well
come from state and local govern-
enough to do their jobs, demand is
ments, private companies and founda-
growing for programs to teach adults
tions. Among government programs,
literacy and technical skills.
experts say a number hold promise, in-
The programs, often taken to people
cluding these:
where they work, can be as basic as
9In Illinois, a statewide effort has
English for recent immigrants or as
been organized to pull together civic
sophisticated as helping employees in
groups, educators, volunteers, employ-
high-technology industries master
ers and labor representatives to sup-
complex documents.
port 250 tutoring programs at colleges,
In a Long Island City warehouse, a
libraries and even firehouses. The
teacher gives English lessons to His-
state has spent $19 million in the past
panic, Italian and Slavic employees at
four years to educate 36,000 adults in
a Ronzoni pasta factory so they can
reading and mathematics, and has
learn to operate new automated equip-
helped businesses and unions operate
ment. In northeastern Mississippi, the
basic-skills programs for workers in
state is using a tractor-trailer outfitted
factories and union halls.
as a mobile learning laboratory, com-
9In Massachusetts, a team of lit-
plete with computers, to give lessons in
eracy experts, government officials
job-related reading and mathematics
Outside government, some of the
and labor and business leaders devel-
to 14 potential recruits for a new plant
most aggressive drives for worker lit-
oped a work-force literacy program
that makes rocket motors for the Na-
eracy come from the trade unions,
that is expected to grow from 45,000 to
tional Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
which are pressing for education bene-
100,000 participants a year by 1991. It is
fits for members.
tration.
one of the first state efforts shaped
In New York City, the Consortium
A Widely Scattered Effort
around specific needs in the job mar-
for Worker Education links 10 unions
"Most jobs today need basic skills
ket, reflecting the shift from manufac-
around the issue of literacy. It has
approaching 12th-grade levels," said
turing toward service industries.
helped 17,000 members, preparing
Harold W. McGraw Jr., president of the
qVirginia has begun a 10-year pro-
most for entry-level jobs and providing
Business Council for Effective Litera-
gram centered on the Virginia Lit-
others with college training. Financed
cy, a national clearinghouse for data on
eracy Foundation, which has raised $3
by Federal, state and city grants, it is
adult literacy. But he added, "Seventy-
million from 230 businesses and pro-
now negotiating to extend literacy
five percent of the adults in today's
vides support for private literacy
training to the 200 unions affiliated
labor force will be there for the next
groups. A state Adult Literacy Com-
with the Central Labor Council, which
two or three decades, and one in five
represents 1.2 million workers.
reads below the eighth-grade level."
"By 1994, the consortium should be
It is hard to assess the results of lit-
training 30,000 workers," said Joe Mc-
eracy programs, partly because there
'Most jobs today
Dermott, the executive director, "and
has been little effort to coordinate
employers who want qualified workers
them. Federal efforts are scattered
need basic skills
will have to come to us."
among 79 agencies; at least half the
states have some sort of literacy initia-
approaching
'Good Work and We Can Prove It'
tive, but the goals and budgets vary
Until recently, literacy attracted lim-
widely.
12th-grade
ited support from private sources. Sub-
Even the definition of literacy is dis-
stantial grants came mainly from a
puted. Last year Congress asked the
Department of Education to define the
levels.'
few companies, including the Gannett
Company and B. Dalton Bookseller,
term and then to estimate how many
and the MacArthur, Ford and Hewlett
Americans are illiterate. But that sur-
Foundations.
vey, involving thousands of interviews,
Another philanthropy, the UPS Foun-
will take four years, said Andrew Kol-
mittee promotes collaboration between
stad, project officer at the Govern-
public and private literacy groups.
dation, based in Greenwich, Conn., is
qMississippi has become the first
providing $2.2 million over three years
ment's National Center for Educa-
tional Statistics.
state to offer a tax credit to corpora-
for a literacy program. Part of the
tions training or retraining workers.
money will help teen-age mothers
While the study will assess the di-
9New York City provided more than
learn basic skills through the New
mensions of the problem, no one dis-
$40 million over last four years for
Chance Program of the Manpower
putes that a problem exists and that it
becomes more urgent as businesses
adult literacy, far more than any
Demonstration Research Corporation,
try to keep up with foreign competition.
major city, according to the Business
a national research organization that
"Twenty to thirty million adult
Council for Effective Literacy. It budg-
develops programs for the needy. It
eted $15.2 million this year for pro-
will also equip 20 centers, operated by
Americans lack basic literacy skills,
U.S. Basics, a nonprofit educational in-
and that makes adult literacy a life-
grams at 300 places, including schools,
and-death economic and social issue
colleges, libraries and factories like the
stitute, for teaching English to immi-
for this country," said Forrest P. Chis-
Ronzoni warehouse, where 75 workers
grants. And it will help United Way pro-
man, director of the Southport Insti-
were tutored.
mote six programs with a goal of devel-
oping a model for a nationwide effort.
tute, a research group in Washington
City officials estimate that New York
has at least 1.5 million adults who can-
Some smaller businesses are setting
that completed an analysis of adult lit-
not fill out a job application, under-
up their own programs with govern-
eracy this year.
stand instructions on a medicine bottle
ment help.
A 'Jump Start' for Nonreaders
or write a simple letter. Yet literacy
Champ Industries, a metal works in
The study, "Jump Start," was pub-
programs reach just 47,000 New York-
Lake Ronkonkoma, L.I., began losing
lished by the institute and financed by
ers, and 13.000 are waiting for place-
contracts because workers could not
companies and foundations. It urged
ment.
keep pace with new marketplace tech-
the Government to create a national
nology. 'Our products must meet
'Diverse as the City Itself'
center for research and technical help
precision standards. said Stephen
in training a corps of thousands of
"Our classes are as diverse as the
Shuster. the president. "and some
adult literacy instructors. Senator Paul
city itself." said John Casey, acting di-
workers could not use a ruler." Champ
Simon of Illinois and Representative
rector of the Mayor's office of adult lit-
secured help from the Long Island Re-
Thomas C. Sawyer of Ohio recently in-
eracy. New York's programs provide
gional Education Center, which
troduced bills that would advance
basic education in reading and writing,
brought in experts from local schools
those objectives.
but also in skills like interviewing for a
to instruct workers in reading blue-
Although President Bush has vowed
job.
prints, basic mathematics and reading
to be the "education President," Mr.
At the Mid-Manhattan Adult Learn-
and writing English.
Chisman said, "the Administration
ing Center on West 120th Street, 700
Now new orders are coming in, and
clearly does not yet have a literacy
adults take remedial instruction or
the workers attest to the change, show-
agenda. The First Lady is honorary
train for new careers. Though classes
ing off the statistical process control
chairwoman of the Barbara Bush
have ended for the summer, one in-
charts they are trained to keep.
Foundation for Family Literacy, which
structor, Anne Goodwin, gave up her
"Before, we argued who made the
focuses on encouraging parents and
vacation and devoted another two
mistakes,' said Michelle Cuesta, a 24-
children to learn reading together The
weeks without pay to tutoring 15 stu-
year-old machinist, as she sliced metal
foundation. financed by private dona-
dents facing high school equivalency
tubes with a pipe saw. "Now we turn
tions. is operated by volunteers.
tests.
out good work and we can prove it.
WALL ST.J. :09-06-89
Where Liberal Arts Starve Amid Federal Plenty
701
By CHARLES J. SYKES
versity in the late 19th and early 20th cen-
grossly magnified those tendencies.
As it opens Its doors for the new aca-
turies than did any other institution. Keep-
Of the $476.3 million the university re-
demic year, Johns Hopkins University has
ing up with Hopkins has been a national
celved in federal research and develop-
no faculty member in its classics depart-
academic obsession since the day it opened
ment grants in 1987, the amount allocated
ment who teaches Greek literature or phi-
in 1876.
to the School of Arts and Sciences was a
losophy; none who can lecture on Plato's
In recent years, that hasn't been easy to
mere 3.7%. Nor did the liberal arts fare
"Republic," Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" or
do. Johns Hopkins has been one of higher
much better in the university's extraordi-
Homer's "Odyssey." But this is not just
education's most successful growth indus-
narily successful capital campaign, where
another Stanford-like setback for the Great
tries. Its operating budget increased from
only 8% of the more than $512 million
Books.
$88.5 million in 1972 to $557 million last
raised over five years will go for Arts and
In its small way, the fate of the classics
year- healthy 529% increase. The largest
Sciences. In the absence of an institutional
at one of the nation's most lavishly funded
single factor has been the increasing be-
commitment to compensate for the imbal-
universities casts a revealing light on both
nevolence of Uncle Sam. In 1967, Hopkins
ance, the liberal arts inevitably became
the fragility of the liberal arts and the
ranked 15th among leading universities in
the raggedy stepchildren of the univer-
mysteries of academic finance. Above all,
Its share of federal research money-a re-
sity.
however, it is a commentary on the para-
doxical role of the federal government in
the modern mega-university.
By shifting the focus of higher education from under-
Johns Hopkins receives more federal
research support than any other university
graduate to graduate education and from teaching to
in the country. In 1987, federal research
and development grants totaled $476.3 mil-
research, federal money reshaped academic priorities.
lion. In addition, the school has raised
more than $512 million from private donors
spectable, if somewhat modest, showing.
The situation was exacerbated by Johns
in the past five years. Even so, the admin-
By the early 1980s, it had leaped into the
Hopkins's policy of financial decentraliza-
istration revealed last year that the School
top position.
tion, under which each school was ex-
of Arts and Sciences-the liberal-arts core
This growth paralleled the increasing
pected to go it alone. The result was that
of the university-had run up a deficit of $4
role of the federal government in Ameri-
even as Johns Hopkins prospered and
million and projected a shortfall of $7 mil-
can higher education in the years after
swelled, while the medical school built an
lion this year.
World War II. While the federal govern-
$85 million research facility and the ad-
Draconian Financial Plan
ment created vast new research centers,
ministration dreamed of a new space tele-
laboratories and federally endowed insti-
scope, the School of Arts and Sciences
The financial crunch led to the resigna-
tutes, it also provided a case study in the
withered like an etiolated limb. But the
tion of Johns Hop-
law of unintended consequences, especially
news is not all bad.
kins's president
for the liberal arts. By shifting the focus of
When the inevitable crunch came,
(who earlier had
higher education from undergraduate to
Johns Hopkins adopted a plan to bail out
been stripped of his
graduate education and from teaching to
Arts and Sciences and share revenue
budgetary author-
research, especially scientific research,
among the various schools. Hopkins's new
ity) and the imposi-
the new federal money radically reshaped
administration is far more realistic about
tion of a draconian
the priorities and prestige hierarchies of
the limits of academic growth; It now rec-
five-year financial
academia.
plan that includes
ognizes that the university can no longer
Then-Education Secretary William Ben-
steep increases in
pursue every frontier of knowledge.
nett described the curious interplay of cash
But the omens for the liberal arts are
tuition, a 10% cut-
and scholarship: "X dollars buys the stu-
still troubling. On the heels of the cut-
back in liberal-arts
dent one professor; 2X dollars buys him
backs, two of the four professors in the
faculty costs and the elimination of several
two. But 3X and 4X and 5X dollars gradu-
academic programs.
tiny and beleaguered classics department
ally remove the professor from the stu-
quit; today the department has only a sin-
As Prof. Jerrold Cooper, chairman of
dent, and 6X dollars may replace all the
gle tenured faculty member (Georg Luck,
the Near Eastern studies department, re-
classroom professors with graduate stu-
marked with a trace of academic under-
a Latin specialist) and must import guest
dents.'
lecturers for Greek literature. Other de-
statement: "When a university cuts its fac-
At Johns Hopkins the operation of Ben-
partments await the effects of attrition.
ulty after raising half a billion dollars, it's
nett's Law is writ large. The money was
Ironically, Johns Hopkins continues to
a very, very bad situation."
not going primarily for classroom
have a relatively well-funded Humanities
This might be written off as an aberra-
teachers; nor was it going for the liberal
Center. But it too reflects the new aca-
tion except for the distinctive role that
arts. This is not altogether surprising
demic culture. Prof. Luck calls it "a for-
Johns Hopkins has played as the prototypi-
given Johns Hopkins's historic focus on
tress of trendiness," with a special em-
cal American research university. With its
graduate research and the sciences. Unlike
phasis on deconstructionism, post-structur-
emphasis on research and graduate educa-
most large universities. Hopkins has a tiny
alism and other forms of fashionable jar-
tion. Johns Hopkins did more to shape the
undergraduate population-only about
goned academic nihilism. The "Iliad" and
new academic culture of the American uni-
2,000 students. But the federal money
Aeschylus may be out: but Hopkins has
WALL ST.J. :09-06-89
262
Derrida and de Man well covered.
Prof. Luck has watched the changing
culture of the university. "This was a fan-
tastic place 20 years ago," he says. "But
it's become more commercialized. Hopkins
has become more like a business.' Not
quite. Entrepreneurs don't have tenure.
Bureaucrats do. An eloquent tribute to
the transfusion of the federal government's
mindset into the universities is the fact
that university administrative costs nation-
ally have grown at twice the rate of in-
structional costs over the past decade. A
notable legacy of the federalization of the
universities has been the bureaucratization
of the soul of higher education.
It's unclear whether the turmoil at
Johns Hopkins, so often a trendsetter, is
also a harbinger of more crises to come.
Federal support for academic science and
engineering nationwide topped $8.5 billion
in 1987, up from less than $5 billion in 1980.
Private money also continues to flow into
the universities, usually in the form of re-
stricted grants. As many as 60 universities
and colleges are conducting fund drives
with goals of more than $100 million each.
Three schools are seeking $1 billion.
And yet, the signs of poverty amid
plenty are becoming more widespread.
Princeton and Cornell, no financial pikers
themselves, are also wrestling with red
ink. Mighty Stanford projects an $11 mil-
lion budget deficit this school year, despite
a $1.1 billion fund-raising campaign.
Not Money, but Values
As Robert Maynard Hutchins of the
University of Chicago remarked in the late
1940s in a different context, lavishing more
money on the modern university "is a little
like telling a drowning man that he can im-
prove his position by drinking a good deal
of water." The problem is not money, but
values.
There is more than enough blame to go
around: academic bureaucrats who imag-
ine they are entrepreneurs; absentee trust-
ees; professors in full-cry after consulting
contracts; a society that has lost sight of
the value of the humanities. But a special
place in this rogues' gallery must be re-
served for the jolly gnomes of official
Washington, oblivious, as ever, to the con-
sequences of their actions.
Mr. Sykes is the author of "ProfScam:
Professors and the Demise of Higher Edu-
cation" (Regnery Gateway, 1988).
WASH. TIMES 09-06-89
Race relations first lesson
for many college freshmen
By Carol Innerst
monplace at American colleges and universi-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
122/701
ties.
The rapidly changing nature of the student
The first lesson many college freshmen are
bodies has exacerbated tensions and made it
getting this school year is in race relations.
imperative for institutions to see that their
Hood College in Frederick for the first time
"experiment" in multicultural living works,
this year is offering a five-hour workshop on
said Ray Colvig, spokesman for the Univer-
multiculturalism this Saturday to the entire
sity of California at Berkeley.
freshman class of 200, 10 percent of whom
are minorities.
"It's no longer an experiment for us," he
In a session titled "Vive la Difference,"
said. "We're doing something few institutions
freshmen learned last week how to interrupt
have done.
incidents of verbal behavior likely to spark
"Only the military is comparable for hav-
resentment, such as an ethnic joke.
ing such a diverse population living in such
And at Smith College in Northhampton,
close proximity. It's impossible to prevent
Mass., "attitudes assessment" is "part of an
some things from happening in a community
orientation discussion of racial attitudes,"
of 30,000 living in close proximity. But you
said spokeswoman M. Janet McNeill.
could turn the issue over and see that for a
"Orientation is required," she said. "There
group as diverse as ours, there's probably a
is no way that a freshman could escape dis-
relatively low number of incidents."
cussion of the subject."
The Berkeley campus this year has no eth-
A plan called the "Smith Design" spells out
nic majority. The 3,500 new freshmen are 11.4
the college's commitment to affirmative ac-
percent black, 1.8 percent American Indian,
tion and to the "importance of embracing di-
21.8 percent Hispanic - for a total of 34.9
versity as an educational as well as a life goal,"
percent affirmative action students - and
she said.
27.8 percent Asian-American and 32 percent
Twenty percent of this year's freshman
white. Another 5.3 percent refused to state
class of 615 are ethnic minorities, she said.
ethnic background, he said.
As summer reading, all members of Bow-
Berkeley freshmen got their first dose of
doin College's freshman class were assigned
sensitivity training over the summer, but
Richard Rodriguez's autobiography, "Hunger
more is coming in the residence halls, Mr.
of Memory," recounting his struggles in the
Colvig said.
classroom and in white society.
"The groundwork for good [race] relations
must be laid in the residence halls," he said.
A workshop Tuesday at University of
Berkeley also plans to address the issue of
Maryland, College Park, which has seen
multiculturalism through the curriculum. All
clashes between black and Jewish students,
is titled "Broadening Your Horizons: How to
students starting in 1991 will have to complete
Benefit from Campus Cultural Diversity."
a course in American cultures, selecting
three from five offerings that will call atten-
On the academic front, visiting professor
tion to the interplay and contributions of the
Jerome Taylor, director of the Institute for the
five principal ethnic groups in contemporary
Black Family at the University of Pittsburgh,
society - Americans of European descent,
will teach a class on "Race, Culture and Con-
blacks. Hispanics, Orientals and American
sciousness" in the Afro-American Studies
Indians.
Program at Maryland this semester.
Stanford University takes a similar step
Such programs are rapidly becoming com-
this fall.
PHIL. INQ. :09-06-89
One in three can't
read this column
By CLAUDE LEWIS 70P
"I don't think lumping everybody at
particular grade levels is the right way
S
everal years ago 1 served as co-
to go. I think collaborative learning
chairman, with David Horowitz,
groups are more effective. People moti-
vate one another when they have com-
of the Mayor's Commission on
mon goals. If five adults want to be
Literacy in Philadelphia. However, I
able to read the Bible, I'd like to get
had to resign from the post because
them together. They'd support each
my position at The Inquirer posed a
other. Put them with a good facilitator,
0
possible conflict of interest. But my
they'll do much better.
interest in the problem of illiteracy
"It's a wonderful thing to see some-
has remained strong and I am encour-
one get his GED Igeneral equivalency
aged that Thelma Reese, who heads
diploma] right where they work,"
the program, is doing as much as possi-
Reese said. "But we need more compa-
ble, considering her budget and the
nies willing to establish learning cen-
extent of the problem, to increase the
ters right on the job."
reading ability of thousands,
Philadelphia is a leader in the battle
The problem is more widespread
against illiteracy with some 240 agen-
than most people understand. Many
cies involved and 560 learning sites in
take reading for granted, not realizing
the city. But even illiteracy can be
that many read at only a fourth grade
political. Some companies don't want it
level, if at all
known they have
There are many
workers with reading
reasons for illiter-
The battle against
difficulties. They're
acy in a nation
not sure what the pub-
crowded with free
illiteracy is a
lic reaction might be.
public schools. Not
Reese's daughter,
the least of them is
continuing
who lives in San
embarrassment.
struggle.
Francisco, volun-
Many have con-
teered as a reading
vinced themselves
teacher in that city.
they can get
Her name was placed
through life, living in the dark coun-
on a waiting list for síx months be-
try of ignorance.
cause "training takes place twice a
But we live in complex times today,
year there, and in one place, the
times that demand increased literacy
library," Reese said, her voice tinged
and comprehension. Even the military
with distress.
is plagued by the problem.
"Approximately 35 percent of Phil-
Philadelphia is doing as much or
adelphians are unable to read at the
more than any other city in the na-
junior high level. How can the
tion to increase reading skills, but so
schools make up for all of that?"
far has been able to reach no more
Reese is angered that some Wash-
than 25,000 people in the last five
ington officials are trying to recruit
years, according to Reese.
foreigners to do jobs that should be
"It's scary that we can't do more,"
done by Americans, because many
she said in a recent interview. "What
Americans lack reading skills.
we've accomplished is terrific, but
"That boggles my mind," she says.
we have another 300,000 to 400,000 to
"If we can't marshal our resources to
reach. It's frightening to think about
train our own people to do the jobs
the total number of nonreaders who
needed here, where are we headed?
may be out there. Some of them will
Our country has a pool of untapped
never be reached because they have
labor unable to meet the demands of
discovered ways of hiding the fact
the workplace. As a nation, we've got
that they can't read.
to solve this problem."
"People who have never worn
The demand for increased skills is
glasses often claim to have left them
going to become even more acute in
at home." Reese said. "To mask their
the 21st century, which is just over a
inability to read, some fake other
decade away.
injuries, others listen to friends or-
Illiteracy is responsible for far
dering in restaurants and ask for the
more than ignorance. In some. it IS
same meal. They don't use menus.
the root cause of hostility. violence. a
The problem is going to get far
lack of self esteem. a lowering of self-
worse. Reese insists, though she says
confidence. a diminution of goals
in Philadelphia there may soon be a
and a lifestyle built on poverty and
breakthrough that will significantly
despair. Illiteracy often keeps fam-
advance the city's reading programs.
ilies at or below the poverty line and
She's reluctant to reveal all of the
hurts the entire nation.
details, but some of the efforts have
What Thomas Jefferson wrote in
to do with massive support and fund-
1816 is still true today: "If a nation
ing by an outside company, others
expects to be ignorant and free, in a
have to do with new teaching tech-
state of civilization, it expects what
never was and never will be.
niques. Reese encourages those need-
ing help or those who want to volun-
Claude Lewis column appears Mon-
teer to call 686-8652.
days and Wednesdays.
WALL 09-05-89
132
Educated Moves
Elite Private Colleges
Several of these schools have contended
room and board for the coming school year
that they are doing nothing unlawful. But
range from a low of $19,207 at Princeton to
Routinely Share Plans
the case is more than a legal battle. To
a high of $19,510 at Brown. That's a differ-
ence of 1.5%, less than might be expected
Ivy League Costs
in shopping for a car or even a television
For Raising Tuition
set.
1989-90 tuition. fees, room and board
Of course, many colleges do charge
Brown
$19,510
less. In-state students will pay $4,733 at the
SayingIt'sDoneOpenly,They
average four-year public school this year.
Harvard
19,395
Private schools will average $12,635.
Decry Price-Fixing Probe;
U. of Pennsylvania
19,350
Critics complain that the pricier schools
exploit their cachet, and the lifetime ca-
Critics Charge 'Arrogance'
Dartmouth
19,335
reer advantages, imagined or real, that a
Columbia
19,320
diploma from a "better school" confers.
In fact, colleges often raise charges to
Yale
19,310
Wesleyan's Accurate Forecast
avoid being the least expensive among
Princeton
19,207
their peers, says Jan Krukowski, an educa-
tion consultant. They're afraid of raising
By GARY PUTKA
Cornell
18,670
"suspicion about why they're so low," says
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Source: College Board
Mr. Krukowski, who doesn't view this as
Wesleyan University was agitated early
evidence of collusion. Whereas businesses
in 1988 over a recurring issue: money.
many educators, it's a climactic attack af-
hold down prices to compete, Northwest-
Angered by a proposed 7.5% increase in
ern's Mr. Weber adds, many schools
ter years of smoldering public resentment
student charges, activists at the Middle-
of rising tuitions and selective admissions
"raise prices to meet the competition."
town, Conn., school were pushing a letter-
practices in which parents and students
writing campaign to mobilize parental
have felt impotent.
Some colleges acknowledge that the
pressure against further big increases. Ad-
similar charges among similar schools is
ministrators countered with some data
The Bush administration's interest in
no accident but see nothing illegal about it.
that in virtually any other industry would
the issue was foreshadowed last Decem-
Many college costs, including faculty and
have set off alarm bells.
ber, at a meeting between Mr. Bush and 10
other salaries, campus upkeep and the
A March 4, 1988, document, labeled
college presidents. To the educators' sur-
like, are broadly the same. And, much like
"confidential" and drafted by the Wes-
prise, the session included a lecture from
retailers, schools scrutinize competitors'
leyan treasurer's office, stated that in Sep-
White House Chief of Staff John Sununu-
pricetags closely. They often defend
tember 1988, Harvard University charges
two of whose eight children are in col-
greater-than-average tuition increases by
would go up 6%, Yale's 6.2%, and Dart-
lege-about tuition increases that he
citing higher charges or a bigger increase
mouth's 6.3%. At the other end of the spec-
deemed excessive. Attorney General Dick
the year before at a similar school.
trum, Wellesley College planned a 7.9% in-
Thornburgh has also commented privately
People familiar with the Justice Depart-
crease, Amherst College 8.5%, and Wil-
about "waste" he has seen on campus; his
ment's investigation say the agency sus-
liams 10.6%. Thus, the Wesleyan adminis-
last job, before joining the administration,
pects that the colleges' exchange of infor-
tration argued that its increase was only
was at Harvard's Kennedy School of Gov-
mation prior to setting tuition and sala-
matching the competition.
ernment.
ries-exchanges like that indicated by the
Uncanny Accuracy
Generating Discontent
Wesleyan document-are routine, system-
Exactly right or within a half-percent-
Critics say the Ivy League and other top
atic and designed to eliminate any real
age point of each school's actual increases,
colleges have laid the political groundwork
price choices for higher-education shop-
Wesleyan's figures were good-too good,
for federal investigators by projecting an
pers.
perhaps. Most of the group of elite colleges
image of wealth and indifference to paren-
"What many college presidents and
still hadn't announced their 1988-89
tal fears about affordability as they raised
their staffs do to share information
charges. How did Wesleyan know? It won't
tuitions in the 1980s at a pace well above
would pass as price rigging," says Robert
historical rates.
Iosue, the president of York College, in
say.
York, Pa. "How on earth can room and
Questions over tuition-setting practices
"This is the arrogance of an elite which
board costs at Harvard, located in the Bos-
have become more than academic. They
is absolutely certain it knows what is best
are one aspect of a broad Justice Depart-
for everybody," says Chester E. Finn Jr.,
ton area, with one of the highest costs of
ment investigation of possible collusion to
a former Education Department aide who
living in the country, be essentially the
same as those at Brown [in Providence,
rig prices and salaries in higher education.
often complains about college charges.
R.I.] or at Dartmouth in Hanover, New
The department says it has made sweeping
Colleges feel folks shouldn't be making
civil-investigative demands of about 20
price decisions when it comes to deciding
Hampshire, where the cost of living is
much more moderate?"
schools for records relating to how they de-
termine student charges, faculty pay and
where to go to college. And even if they
The information sharing. both formal
financial aid. The colleges have begun
want to, [the colleges won't let them.'
and informal, is extensive by private-in-
complying with the demand.
Suspicions of a rigged market "are con-
dustry standards. The schools say they re-
The earlier-reported practice of 23 Ivy
sistent with what I would characterize as a
peatedly call one another during the year
League and other Northeastern schools of
paternalistic approach to tuition setting.
about tuitions and salaries. often talking in
fixing student financial aid see page A6
says Arnold Weber, the president of North-
terms of ranges of prospective increases.
western University. Many colleges. he
Indeed. the very notion of price competi-
is also under government scrutiny. At an
annual spring meeting, these colleges com-
adds, think that "we know what's best for
pare proposed financial-aid packages for
you because we aspire to something called
more than 10.000 common admittees and in
excellence in higher education. We don
most cases eliminate variances SO that a
want to cloud the student mind by putting
family S expenses will be identical no mat-
him in a position where he have to make
ter where a student goes. According to peo-
trade-offs between different prices and
pie familiar with the investigation. how-
quality. Mr. Weber says he has put "our
ever. the Justice Department main con-
tuition where my mouth is by keeping
cern IS tuition and faculty salaries.
Northwestern's increases over the past
four years below the average at compara-
Mainly Private Schools
ble institutions.
The investigation has stunned many
Anyone now shopping among the eight
educators, especially at the prestigious pri-
Ivy League schools would find little choice
vate schools on which it seems to be fo-
on price. Except for Cornell, which may
cused. Public-college tuitions and salaries.
enjoy economies of scale as the largest of
largely fixed by state legislative and policy
the eight, charges for tuition. fees. and
decisions. apparently aren't under study.
So far. 13 private schools acknowledge get-
ting the civil-investigative demands: they
include the University of Chicago: Wes-
leyan. Connecticut and Trinity colleges in
Connecticut: Amherst. Harvard. Williams
and Tufts in Massachusetts: Bates. Bow-
doin and Colby colleges in Maine: Hamil-
ton College. New York state: and Middle-
bury College. Vermont.
WALL :09-05-89
tion is foreign to many schools. Officials of
at open budget and faculty meetings and in
board meeting, be says, his standard re-
different colleges view one another less as
campus publications as much as a year be-
sponse to an outside inquiry would be
competitors than colleagues.
fore the final figure is set.
something like "I could imagine 8% to 11%
Oberlin's Practices
The March 4. 1988, Wesleyan document,
next year-we're still thinking about It."
however, indicates that preliminary but
Representatives of all the other schools
Typical is the routine at Oberlin Col-
accurate Information is exchanged just
say they either didn't know how Wesleyan
lege, a small liberal-arts school in north-
when it would most help competitors-
got the numbers or decline to comment.
eastern Ohio with selective admissions and
right before they set their own numbers.
There's no doubt that anti-price-fixing
an $18,840 pricetag close to Ivy League
The document lists the 1987-88 and the
laws apply to the nation's colleges and uni-
levels. Beginning every autumn, over the
then-prospective 1988-89 student charges at
versities. But legal experts say the Justice
phone and at multi-college gatherings,
Wesleyan and 16 other schools. The pros-
Department faces several problems in
Oberlin Provost Sam Carrier swaps data
pective charges are footnoted as "final" or
making an antitrust case against the
about preliminary plans for increases in
"preliminary." People involved in the
schools. When price-fixing can be shown to
student charges the next fall, he says. By
Wesleyan budget process say the adminis-
offer some demonstrated public good,
the time final figures are announced in the
trators told the budget committee that they
there are precedents for excusing it. At
spring, Oberlin and other schools can set
had obtained, on a confidential basis, pre-
least in the case of financial aid, says Phil-
charges at an optimal level-not too high
liminary figures from the other schools.
lip Areeda, a Harvard law professor, the
to be uncompetitive but high enough to
Figures for 11 schools besides Wesleyan
colleges could argue that by saving money
meet the bills. Mr. Carrier says a similar
were listed as preliminary, but they
on some students, they can aid others and
routine is followed for faculty salaries.
matched final charges exactly at Swarth-
thereby expand access to college-to the
"As I meet with people, I get their
more College ($17,930), Wellesley ($17,240)
public's benefit.
thinking," he says. "I certainly feel free to
and Williams ($17,329). The figure for
As for tuition price-setting, Prof.
tell colleagues at other institutions what I
Stanford University missed by only $1 and
Areeda says the government's main legal
have recommended to our board."
for Amherst by $5. For the others-Dart-
problem may be the consumer choices
Although such comments might be sen-
mouth, Harvard, Penn, Oberlin, Trinity
apart from the elite private schools. Be-
sitive in light of the federal inquiry, Mr.
and Yale-the numbers came within 1%
cause "literally thousands" of other col-
Carrier and others argue that they clearly
of the final charges, either as listed in the
leges charge less, he explains, a price-fix-
show no conspiracy is afoot. The openness
College Cost Book, the standard reference
ing conspiracy among several dozen
of many schools' budget and tuition-setting
work for applicants, or as provided by the
schools, even if proved, might be shown to
processes enables anyone to get prospec-
colleges when asked.
barely affect the overall market. On the
tive data on tuitions well before the date,
Oberlin's Mr. Carrier says he doesn't
other hand, if the Justice Department can
usually in March or April, when a college
specifically recall but he "could have
convince a court that the appropriate mar-
announces the final figures approved by its
been" the person who gave Wesleyan the
ket is selective schools, it would be much
trustees.
Oberlin number. Penn and Swarthmore
easier to prove that any price-fixing con-
"The tuition inquiry amazes me," says
say their trustees had already acted before
Robert Zemsky, the director of planning
spiracy was harmful to consumers.
the March 4 date of the document; hence,
and head of a higher-education research
the figures were no longer proprietary.
group at the University of Pennsylvania.
Swarthmore's president, David Fraser,
"It's a fundamental misunderstanding of
says its board approved final tuition fig-
how this process works. This is an abso-
ures on Feb. 27, 1988, about a week before
lutely public process everywhere."
the date on the Wesleyan list. He says that,
Wesleyan's Document
generally, anytime after the board's an-
The final tuitions look alike because one
nual tuition-setting meeting "I would be
school can easily see figures that another's
happy to give the information to anyone
administration is proposing, Mr. Zemsky
who asked," even if parents wouldn't be of-
argues. Specific figures are often discussed
ficially notified until later. Before the
Officials of Harvard, Bowdoin Work
For a Firm Selling Data on Students
By GARY PUTKA
colleges say would be unethical. One
Steff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
school says it pays $700 for the service.
Whatever benefits elite colleges may
For $350, the company also sells col-
gain from their information exchanges,
some of their employees appear to be do-
leges the names of students who applied to
their school but enrolled elsewhere and of
ing well in the process.
They work for Student Aid Services
those who made deposits to attend more
Inc., a closely held company that sells ad-
than one school. A company marketing let-
missions-related data to some 80 to 100 col-
ter last February included the names of
customers, including Harvard, Bowdoin
leges. Three Harvard University em-
and other private schools and public insti-
ployees-Admissions Dean William Fitz-
simmons. Assistant Admissions Dean War-
tutions such as the University of Rhode Is-
land and University of California at Berke-
ren Reed and Financial-Aid Director
James Miller-are listed in its marketing
ley. More than 154,000 names were entered
materials: so is Walter Moulton. the direc-
in the company's data bank in 1987-88.
tor of student aid at Bowdoin College.
The admissions-overlap data is valua-
Their roles in the company raise ethical
ble. Knowing where common applicants
questions. according to some critics. who
decide to go helps colleges tailor their
say administrators shouldn't be involved in
marketing. Identifying multiple depositors
profit-making activity that relies on their
helps them enforce application rules and
college jobs. Mr. Miller has said the com-
ensure that all their slots are filled. AS a
pany makes a small profit. but how much
result of the service. which identified 1.225
hasn't been disclosed. He. Mr. Fitzsim-
multiple depositors in the 1987-88 school
mons and Mr. Reed declined to be inter-
year, acceptances are sometimes pulled.
viewed for this article. Mr. Moulton didn't
Chester E. Finn. a former research di-
return phone calls.
rector at the Education Department and
Harvard declined to comment about its
now at Vanderbilt University, calls it
officials' activities. A Bowdoin spokesman
"gross" that a company selling such serv-
said that Mr. Moulton long ago disclosed
ices employs admissions officers who can
his connection with Student Aid Services.
influence their school's decision to buy. "It
in line with Bowdoin's policy of requiring
sounds to me like a form of self-dealing
employees to disclose potential conflicts.
that in Washington would be worthy of ref-
and that Bowdoin 'is satisfied that it
erence to an ethics committee." he adds.
doesn't constitute a conflict of interest."
Edward Custard, the acting director of
Student Aid Services gathers and col-
admissions at New College, in Sarasota.
lates information for financial-aid "over-
Fla., says the people connected with Stu-
lap. a system in which the eight Ivy
dent Aid Services "are clearly capitaliz-
League schools and 15 other private East-
ing" on their college positions. He says the
ern colleges compare notes and fix finan-
Harvard officials are well known in colle-
cial-aid awards to students admitted at
giate circles. Few colleges, Mr. Custard
more than one of the schools. The process.
says, would buy the services "if the offi-
which affects more than 10,000 students. is
cials were employed by Southwest Texas
aimed at avoiding a bidding war that the
State."
N.Y.TIMES 09-03-89
New School Term in Chicago
Puts Parents in Seat of Power
cils will turn into unmanageable fief-
10P
11970
doms led by people with little knowl-
edge of education. One principal said
By ISABEL WILKERSON
flatly, "I don't feel a group of parents
Special to The New York Times
should be allowed to run the school."
CHICAGO, Sept. 2- With the start of
"To take an entire system, convert It
Bruce Berndt, president of the Chi-
the new school year, Chicago will begin
to civilian control and insist that this
cago Principals' Association, said
what education experts say is the most
happen everywhere at once makes Chi-
change was happening too fast. "We
radical attempt in this country to re-
cago unique in the country," said Pro-
are literally learning how to swim by
fessor Finn. "Nobody anywhere in this
being thrown into the pool," be said.
vamp a big-city school system by shift-
country has conferred this kind of au-
One fear, he said, is that principals
ing power almost overnight from
downtown bureaucrats to parents and
thority on a lay board."
will have to spend more time politick-
ing than administering. "You've got to
community people at each of the city's
The effort to overturn Chicago's top-
heavy bureaucracy came after Mr.
win seven votes to get hired," Mr.
600 schools.
Bennett denounced the 410,000-student
Berndt said. "You could get 120 per-
Each school will be run by a parent-
school system, where the dropout rate
cent on your evaluation and not get re-
led council with the far-reaching au-
is 45 percent and the average test score
hired because they want somebody's
thority now held by the Board of
of students in nearly half the schools
brother-in-law."
Education. The councils, to be chosen
was in the bottom 1 percent in the na-
Nowhere but Up?
in elections next month, will have the
tion in 1987.
Indeed, Professor Finn said, "some
power to approve budgets, make
"You've got close to educational
parents will make uneven, inconsistent
recommendations on books and curric-
meltdown here," Mr. Bennett said.
and even foolish decisions." But he
ulums and assign and dismiss princi-
The Legislature Acts
added, "There's nowhere to go but up."
pals.
Now community groups are using
The change, intended to streamline
After months of lobbying by an un-
training sessions to educate parents. At
likely coalition of business leaders,
the nation's third-largest school dis-
a workshop from a housing project on
education advocates and parents in all
trict after New York and Los Angeles,
the South Side, Florence Cox, a parent
income brackets, the Illinois Legisla-
leader and trainer, passed out charts of
grew out of deep frustration over a
ture settled on legislation last year that
the Board of Education hierarchy and
school system described in 1987 by Wil-
streamlined the central office and gave
maps of the school districts. Many par-
liam J. Bennett, then Secretary of
more authority to principals in hiring
ents had barely finished the eighth
Education, as the nation's worst.
staff. Most important, it made parental
grade, she said, and more than once
All over the city, people are now
control the centerpiece.
she had to suspend the session so par-
bracing for the transfer of power. Offi-
The councils will be made up of six
ents could find one of the five sheets
parents, two community residents with
cials are polishing plans for elections
she passed out.
no children in the school and two teach-
for the 6,000 council slots, and trying to
Mrs. Cox started with the basics, tell-
ers, all elected to two-year terms. The
ing parents that they should not get rid
prevent vote fraud on Election Day and
principal will sit on the board but will
of a principal just because they did not
infighting afterward.
have no say on his appointment or dis-
like him, that they should not go into
Into the Political System
missal, a decision that will require
the schools looking only for things to
seven votes. Not only will lay people
criticize.
Dozens of community groups are
outnumber professional educators, but
trying to educate parents, many of
each council will be headed by a parent
"Now that you'll be elected public of-
them school dropouts bewildered by
as well.
ficials, you'll be responsible to the peo-
their new responsibilities, and to get
The law abolishes the lifetime tenure
ple who elected you," Mrs. Cox said. "If
them to run for council seats. Leaders
of Chicago principals. Earlier this
somebody wants a copy of the minutes,
of black and Hispanic neighborhoods
week, Judge Robert Sklodowski of
you have to give them one. And you
are waging a get-out-the-vote cam-
Cook County Circuit Court, calling Chi-
can't have secret meetings. If you walk
home together and stand under a street
paign to bring disaffected minority
cago "an educational wasteland,"
ruled against a group of principals who
light talking, that's a meeting, people.
residents into the political system.
sought to keep their tenure. So when
You can't do that."
Seventy percent of Chicago public
the principals come up for reappoint-
Serious Campaigns Ahead
school students are from families
ment, half in June 1990 and the other
half in June 1991, depending on the re-
Mae Frances Lyons, who lives at the
below the poverty level, and in the low-
income communities there is a sense
sults of a lottery, each council will de-
Prairie Courts housing project on the
that more is at stake than just schools.
cide whether to keep the principal or to
South Side, came in wanting to run for
a parent seat at Drake Elementary
Parents who live in a housing project
hire another under a four-year con-
School. But she was not certain after
on Chicago's South Side took notes like
tract.
hearing what the job entailed. "This is
schoolchildren at a seminar on school
The changes in the school system are
mind boggling," said Mrs. Lyons, who
change this week.
expected to create a weaker role for
dropped out of high school in the 10th
the superintendent and the Board of
grade. "I think I'd better back off from
"These local school council elections,
Education and thus leave Mayor Rich-
this."
as disarrayed as they may be, are
ard M. Daley as the leading voice on
In some communities, parents and
going to be more important to us than
school policy. The changes will un-
residents are gearing up to campaign
the election of Harold Washington,"
doubtedly figure prominently in the
as if they were running for mayor.
Salim Al-Nurridin, a community or-
1991 mayoral campaign.
"This is going to be a serious, no-kid-
ganizer, told the group, referring to the
While taking away millions from its
ding, no-jive campaign," said Mr. Al-
late Mayor whose 1983 election galva-
budget, the law did leave the Board of
Nurridin, the community organizer ral-
Education a key lever over the coun-
lying South Side residents.
nized the city's black voters. "This is
about restructuring our community
cils: The board can close a school if a
Campaigning is likely to be espe-
council fails in its duties. The law
cially intense in Hispanic areas, where
from the ground up.
leaves the superintendent with admin-
community leaders are hoping to gal-
Several other districts, including
New York and Dade County, Fla., have
istrative duties as set by the board.
vanize people now out of the political
system because of language barriers
tried decentralization. New York IS
Board Keeps a Key Function
or lack of citizenship. To vote for the
divided into 32 community school dis-
tricts, and Dade County has conferred
Advocates of change say an all-
parent and resident seats in the school
powerful. distant bureaucracy was
council elections requires only that the
greater authority to individual schools
crippling the schools. There was no
voter be 18 or older and live in the com-
on a limited basis. But no other decen-
accountability,' said Dr. Donald
munity or have a child at the school.
tralization effort has been as far-reach-
Moore, executive director of Designs
This is going to be the largest ex-
ing and as quickly done as Chicago's.
for Change, an education research and
periment in grass-roots democracy the
advocacy group in Chicago. The
country has ever seen," said Dan Solis,
'Absolutely Precedent-Breaking'
change, he said, "gives people with the
executive director of United Neighbor-
"This is the biggest change in Amer-
greatest stake in the schools a bigger
hood Organization, a Hispanic com-
ìcan school control since the 1900's,"
say in how they're run."
munity group here. "We have a com-
said Michael Kirst, a professor of
Critics fear that the parent-led coun-
munity with a large number of people
education at Stanford University who
who are not citizens, who have been in-
has written several books on school
timidated for years because their Eng-
governance. "It is the most drastic
lish wasn't that good, who are now sud-
change in any school system I can
denly able to leapfrog into the system
think of. It is absolutely precedent-
into positions with real power."
breaking."
What happens in Chicago could
The trend in other districts has been
transform not only disenchanted mi-
to transfer power to principals rather
nority neighborhoods but also public
than directly to parents, said Chester
education in general, experts say.
E. Finn Jr., a professor of education
"It's a bold experiment," Professor
and public policy at Vanderbilt Univer-
Kirst said. "If it fails, there will be very
sity and a former Assistant Secretary
little interest anywhere else. If it
of Education under Mr. Bennett.
works, it will be a beacon for the coun-
try.
09-03-89
for five days by protesting students.
House Panel Warns Howard U. About Spending
ning to talk of a major study of Howard
tion paid to senior staff. The committee
They charged that top school adminis-
and its future.
believes it appropriate that a larger
trators, though among the best paid in
In its report on financing at Howard,
portion of its budget be devoted to di-
the country, were inefficiently handling
the House committee says that in-
rect student services and less to cen-
By
DRUMMOND AYRES Jr.
would give Howard almost $152 million
The House committee's report asks
students' requests for financial aid and
creased financial independence for the
tral administraiton.'
that the Federal Department of Educa-
that campus housing was dilapidated
Special to The New York Times
for its academic program in the fiscal
school should be taken as a "major re-
Over the past 10 years Congress has
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 - Howard
year that starts Oct. 1. The amount is
tion conduct a "full audit" of Howard's
and poorly secured. They also opposed
sponsibility" by the new president, who
given Howard more than $1.5 billion,
University, whose reputation as one of
about two-thirds of the school's pro-
finances to determine whether admin-
the appointment to the university
is yet to be named. The panel added:
with minimal controversy. The univer-
board of Lee Atwater, the chairman of
"The committee has been concerned
the nation's premier black educational
jected academic budget.
istrative costs are out of line, espe-
sity is a private institution but qualifies
the Republican National Committee,
by management deficiencies at How-
institutions is attributable in good part
The bill includes $5 million less than
cially the salaries of administrators.
for such aid because it has been made a
who was a major strategist in therelec-
ard, which have threatened accredita-
to heavy Federal financial support, has
the Bush Administration requested, a
"It is essential that Howard reduce
"special institution" by Congress.
tion campaign of George Bush. The stu-
tion at certain of Howard's schools and
'No member is saying it outright,
been warned by Congress to reduce its
rare Capitol Hill reduction for the
its dependence on direct Federal ap-
dents were particularly critical of Mr.
colleges and which have resulted in
14,000-student university. But the bill
propriations," the report said.
but there's a message for Howard in
dependence on Government money and
Atwater's conservative record.
less than adequate support for many
to spend more wisely.
would allow Howard to recoup that $5
Howard officials refused to comment
what the House has done this year and
The protests ended when school offi-
student services. This has happened
million from the Government should
on the House action. "There hasn't
what the Senate is likely to do," said a
The warning was issued by the
cials agreed to try to improve school
despite one of the highest per student
Congressional aide who has followed
House Appropriations Committee in
the school raise $5 million on its own In
been any final Congressional decision
administration and conditions on cam-
expenditures of any university in this
the aftermath of student protests this
matching funds.
and we don't want to discuss anything
Howard appropriations for many
pus. Mr. Atwater withdrew from the
country. The committee has been espe-
years. The aide, who asked not to be
year over the way the 122-year-old
The Senate may go along with the
that's still under consideration, said
board. The school's president of 20
cially concerned by reports regarding
identified. added, "There's a sense on
school is administered and maintained.
House action when it takes up the How-
Roger D. Estep, the university's vice
years, James E. Cheek, retired soon af-
the high proportion of Howard's budget
the Hill that we've been taken for
The warning is included in a report on a
ard request in a few weeks. In past
president for development.
terward, earlier than expected and just
devoted to central administration, in-
granted, that Howard feels it doesn't
bill, recently passed by the House, that
years, that has usually been the case.
Last March, Howard was shut down
as the university's trustees were begin-
cluding salaries and related compensa-
have to be very accountable."
TIMES 09-03-89
Working His Way Through College
With a Computer, VCR and a Saab
TOP
stay out of it, most of them go to work to
education will continue to erode, as
By David Glidden
buy that car and pay that rent and acquire
students have insufficient time to study.
RIVERSIDE
whatever electronics they need. As a
As things stand now, the time squeeze
n the Midwestern college I attended,
result, many students, even on scholar-
means that students make do, earning
life was pretty strict. In loco parentis
ship, work 25 to 40 hours a week to pay for
money to live on but earning degrees that
conferred authority on deans. When
adult living. Those who don't have to
in fact require less and less.
the school year began, we knew that blue
work, thanks to their parents, often hold
California's Community College System
jeans were forbidden on Sundays in the
down a job anyway-to gild the Ifly
understands the facts of modern student
dining halls, that cars were forbidden on
they've been given. It's hard to discour-
life. Many working students take courses
campus. So was dormitory sex. Violators
age acquisitions when the purpose of
one by one at night. By contrast, the
were suspended or expelled. Zoe, for
higher education is perceived to be the
University of California expects students
example, was dismissed in her freshman
economic advantage it presents. Edu-
to be full time. Given the hours UC
year for making out in a local movie
cation then becomes a means, not an end.
students work at earning wages, the
house, where she attracted the attention
Even in high schools, students work
result is an inevitable academic demise,
of two dowagers who promptly reported
long hours after school to buy a car or pay
particularly among lower income groups,
her to campus authorities. Liberal arts
for going to the prom. Once upon a less
because they're the ones who have to
colleges graduated innocents into the
material time, students brought that mon-
work the most.
world and unleashed the rebels early.
ey home to share with other family
The cycle of an undereducated, disad-
That's the way it was in 1962.
members-rarely, today.
vantaged class repeats itself in college.
More than a quarter-century later,
Money matters; time for making money
There simply aren't scholarships enough
deans no longer serve as parents and
matters. Few hours are left for homework
for schoól and for living too. Yet part-time
students are now considered adults. All
after school, and the squeeze worsens in
students have little place in private
adults, including students, seem to want
college, where the bulk of academic
colleges. Consequently, lower-income
to live in comfort these days, with styles,
preparation is supposed to take place
students are pressured, either to compro-
possessions and sex lives of their own.
outside class. Jobs come first instead.
mise their studies to pay for the kind of
This means having personal mobility,
Education cannot go back again to the
life their peers enjoy or to avoid the social
evenings free-and lots of bills to pay. It's
days of parental deans but under the
life of college altogether.
difficult to live that way and go to school.
current circumstances it cannot go for-
Yes, young adults could always scale
The greatest expense public college
ward either. The hours students spend at
back their expectations, students could
students face today is often not the cost of
wage-earning work are hours not spent
live like monks. But that seems unlikely
education, but making payments on the
reading or doing schoolwork.
in a world where the credit-card firms
car and the cost of car insurance, not to
In the University of California, a typical
hustle students in campus cafeterias. Most
mention rent. Public universities are out
four-credit-unit course is supposed to
everyone wants more, from whatever
of step with this changing situation and
require 12 hours of homework in a
economic class they come; it is better,
oblivious to its effects on education.
week-that's 36 hours of homework for a
such people say, to be wealthy than be
Expensive private colleges have a thing or
minimum course load. College life is
wise.
two to learn as well. The old school
supposed to be-is designed to be-a
The ethos that transforms dorm rooms
days-authoritarian and ascetic-will not
full-time job. Such is the basis of accredit-
into model homes makes appearance
come back again.
ation. But today's typical college student
paramount. This same ethos affects the
Not every student enters college with
only spends a total of 12 hours on
classroom. Grades matter more than what
Louis Vuitton footlockers. But the materi-
homework in a week. That student
is learned, just as possessions matter more
al needs of college life are different now,
doesn't have the time to read, because he
than what is earned. The bottom of the
even for those who live in dorms, even for
or she has to earn and live the life of an
bottom line is what you've got. The same
those without wealthy families. The
adult. Being an adult is hard; ask any
might well be said of faculty, who weigh
standard of living has soared beyond clock
single parent who doesn't go to college.
their publications by the page. So it's only
radios, record players and Tensor lamps.
Banning cars on campus or imposing
natural, I suppose, that students often try
Microwaves are considered necessities, so
limits on personal possessions would not
to reconstruct their academic records
too, personal refrigerators. CD players
dampen acquisitive enthusiasms, espe-
when performance in the classroom fades,
and color TVs are a must, plus VCRs for
cially when so many students come to
as if courses were credit cards-bills to be
self-help tapes and late-night movies.
college later in life. They wouldn't put up
negotiated later.
In addition to creature comforts, there
with such authoritarian nonsense. The
Recently I found myself, as a temporary
are expensive study aids. Computers and
European solution also wouldn't work-
dean, listening to a pre-law student
their accompanying printers have made
establishing a separate class between
pleading his excuse to drop a course long
typewriters obsolete. Some students have
childhood and adulthood. with special
after the established deadline passed. He
their own personal copying machines,
restaurants, cafés and services to provide
was sure to get a B-, he complained. or
many own tape recorders to do the work
students with a recognized social status of
even worse, perhaps a C. Law schools
of lecture notes. Walkmen are ubiquitous,
their own. That would require a cultural
wouldn't like this. Worse yet, his father
to keep the mind alive between classes or
tradition needing several centuries to
might take his car away and he might
while wandering in libraries. I haven't
cook.
have to get a job to pay the rent.
mentioned clothes or books.
The only sensible thing to do IS recog-
I listened sympathetically and promptly
Students who cannot afford the extra-
nize the reality that students have jobs, to
turned the kid down cold. The following
curricular cost of college living under-
offer classes at night and encourage more
week a faculty committee heard his case
standably feel out of it and, rather than
students to attend college on a part-time
and overrode me. The young man didn't
basis. That way, students could take only
hold a grudge or gloat. He even waved
David Glidden is a professor of philosophy
as much of college as they had time to
when he passed me in his Saab as I biked
at the University of California, Riverside.
give. Otherwise, the quality of higher
home from work.
WASH. POST 09-04-89
70
And Quality in Schools
T'S A GOOD thing there are so many states in
foundation endowment and to provide mentors. The
I
this country, and so many state governments. It
mentors will go into the schools, private as well as
means that when all those state governments are
public, and get as many of the 3,000 8-year-olds and
in general agreement on a problem-at the moment,
their parents-or parental stand-ins, given the chaos
the need for education reform-those who wait a year
of families-to sign contracts. The kids undertake to
or two before launching an ambitious plan can draw on
stay off drugs, stay in school and send the foundation
a wide range of laboratory examples supplied by their
their report card every term. The mentors keep track.
quicker-off-the-mark colleagues. The people charged
Those who meet the contract and graduate get full
with education reform in Rhode Island have taken
tuition at a state public university or the equivalent
advantage of that backlog of experiments, and the
elsewhere. The crucial elements, argues state higher
benefits-in design, at least-are clear in the plan
education commissioner Americo Petrocelli, are four:
dubbed the Children's Crusade, announced last week
a clear link between effort and reward; a clear link
by the governor, Edward DiPrete.
between dropping out of the program and "rotten
Like many of the state plans already launched,
outcomes"; careful monitoring by a mentor; and a
Rhode Island's lays heavy emphasis on the economic
network of concerned adults, a stand-in for the extend-
costs of a high dropout rate-currently 50 percent
ed family that, as Mr. Petrocelli points out, traditional-
among children with incomes below the poverty line.
ly annoy children by constantly asking them how they
But unlike many, it starts from the proposition that
are doing in school and what they want to be when
changing that figure-let alone reaping economic
they grow up.
benefits from reform-will be impossible without two
elements: time, lots of it, and some concrete measure
Simple enough points. They come, says Mr. Petro-
of whether the reform is working as planned. Accord-
celli, from observation of the federal Upward Bound
ingly, the Children's Crusade will sign up third-
and Head Start programs, the much-hailed "I Have a
graders-because fourth grade, according to experts,
Dream" Eugene Lang model and some university-
is roughly when kids begin to show serious, and often
designed programs that have worked well over the
irreversible, effects of early deprivation. It will aim
longer term in Rhode Island and elsewhere. The plan
specifically at the 3,000 low-income third-graders
refines similar ones floated elsewhere, like New York's
(about 30 percent of the statewide age group) who are
more sprawling scheme to supply all graduates with
deemed most at risk. If those 3,000 students' dropout
full-tuition "liberty scholarships." In a typical small
rate can be cut in half, state authorities figure, that will
improvement, the state will pay a yearly sum into the
mean 800 more high school graduates a year starting
endowment instead of an operating budget. Such
in 2001-a clear, convenient benchmark.
step-by-step refinements are the way to proceed. With
The crusade itself is straightforward, a blend of
too many reformers still addicted to abstract rhetoric,
familiar elements and new twists. The state will ask
and too many reports that sound identical to those
universities, groups such as the Urban League, busi-
issued three and four years ago, a plan that builds on
nesses and others to contribute to a public-private
and beyond other efforts is a promising variation.
TIMES
09-04-89
Soviet Woman Is First
To 178/70 Pursue U.S. Degree
Special to The New York Times
ATLANTA, Sept. 3 - An 18-year-old
public opinion analyst in the Soviet
Soviet woman who will start classes at
Union. "Through her father I came to
Emory University this week is appar-
ently the first Soviet citizen to seek a
know about her extraordinary grades
and fluency in English," Dr. Mickie-
degree from an American college.
wicz said.
The woman, Olga Grushin, arrived in
the United States on Saturday.
Emory's president, James T. Laney,
wrote in June to offer her admission on
She is the first Soviet individual to
full scholarship. "When I was contact-
pursue a full American degree, said
ed, I thought it was impossible for me
Gregory Gurin, director of the Presi-
to come here," Ms. Grushin said Satur-
dent's initiative on exchanges at the
day. "A few years ago, this would have
United States Information Agency.
been impossible."
"Olga's case breaks all precedent,"
"Emory is proud to have one of the
said Dr. Ellen Micklewicz, a professor
most dynamic centers in the United
of political science at Emory who
nominated Ms. Grushin for a full schol-
States for Soviet studies," Mr. Laney
said. "Our faculty members have col-
arship. "There have been Soviet citi-
laborated in a number of ways with
zens who have studied in this country
Soviet scholars. Olga Grushin's enroll-
for a year or for a semester with ex-
changes, and now it. seems that the
ment at Emory is another example of
these valuable collaborations."
time has come to have a Soviet enroll
as a normal student."
48 Steps to America
Columbia University offered admis-
To leave the country, Ms. Grushin
sion and a scholarship to another
had to complete 48 steps, including an
Soviet student, Anna Meytina of Lenin-
extensive medical examination. Al-
grad, in 1987, but she had to give up her
though Emory was optimistic about
Soviet citizenship to accept the offer.
the chances of her arrival, its officials
The Emory administration said Ms.
were not sure until she landed in New
Grushin's enrollment is an extraordi-
York on Saturday.
nary sign of change in the Soviet Union.
Although she was supposed to have
"Soviet citizens have not been allowed
arrived on Aug. 29, she was delayed be-
to do this sort of thing ever before,"
cause of minor visa problems. Schedul-
said Ildiko Flannery, international ex-
ing a new flight presented a major
change coordinator at Emory.
problem. "To get a ticket out of Mos-
Normal International Student'
cow in rubles is almost impossible,"
Ms. Grushin's application to accept
Mrs. Flannery said, "so we had to pull
a few strings with Pan Am."
Emory's scholarship was subject to the
approval of the Soviet state committee
Ms. Grushin has completed one year
on public education, but the committee
at Moscow State University where she
will not monitor her classes. "She is
received the highest grade in each of
her classes and was named one of the
simply a normal international stu-
dent," said Jan Turner, director of
10 best students in her first-year jour-
nalism class.
news and information at Emory.
This semester, Ms. Grushin will
Ms. Grushin came to Dr. Mickie-
wicz's attention during the Emory pro-
study English composition, 19th-cen-
fessor's research collaboration with
tury Russian literature and sociology.
the Soviet Union. Dr. Boris Grushin,
She said she wants to use her Emory
Ms. Grushin's father, is a well-known
degree to become a sociologist in the
Soviet Union.
TRIBUNE 09-05-89
Critical weeks for Chicago's schools
70
To a scary extent, the future of Chicago's public
trusted because of racial antagonisms or ill-formed
schools will depend on what happens in the next six
suspicions, as has been happening.
weeks.
Black and Hispanic leaders should realize that the
Elections to the 595 new local school councils will
local school councils can give their communities enor-
be held for elementary schools on Oct. 11 and for high
mous new control over their children's education. If
schools on Oct. 12. Candidates for elementary elec-
they fail to use the opportunity, local school reform
tions must be signed up to run by Sept. 27, those for
could fail, their children would suffer and city and
high school councils by Sept. 28.
state bureaucrats would have to move in and take over
How well this new and untried experiment works
to keep the schools functioning.
will determine whether current efforts at school reform
They must also understand that the local school
stand a chance of turning the failing school system
councils will begin the complicated new process by
around, or give it a final push into disaster.
which a Board of Education is chosen to replace the
current interim board by next spring. Those who want
to have a voice in choosing board members have some
opportunity to do so through the councils-if they
If the process works as intended, school reform will
become active in electing and serving on them.
transfer a large amount of real power from ineffective,
3. Entrenched school bureaucrats will have to learn
remote bureaucrats to parents, teachers and communi-
how to share power in new ways with parents,
ty residents with personal knowledge of what their par-
teachers and community residents.
ticular school needs and how it can be improved. It
This will not be easy for many of them, especially
should energize and empower thousands of concerned
those whose jobs are now less secure because of new
people to help the schools. And it should create a
school reform provisions. For example, a group of
process for change that is independent of the city's
principals, residents and a district superintendent al-
political and racial conflicts and economic interests.
ready has gone to court trying to overturn school re-
But if school reform is to work, four dangers must
form legislation on several grounds, including that it
be avoided:
impinges on principals' tenure rights. Even though a
1. Caring, informed people by the thousands must
Cook County judge rejected their case and urged them
volunteer for election to the local school councils.
to get on with reform efforts, the plaintiffs quickly
They must be motivated by concern for children and
filed almost the same suit in U.S. District Court.
for school betterment, not by a personal, political, ra-
Many of the councils will be fragile at first, as thou-
cial or business agenda of their own. And they must
sands of noneducators learn how to function and bring
be willing to contribute considerable time to meetings
about the improvements they want. The new process
and to learning how to cope with school problems that
will depend heavily on the cooperation of principals
baffle professional educators.
and other school administrators, who also will be
Some Chicago employers are urging employees to
learning new roles and skills.
run for the councils-which must have six parents
4. Potentially well-qualified parents and residents
chosen by parents, two residents elected from the
who may feel intimidated about running for the coun-
community and two teachers selected by the school
cils should not back away. They can do it.
staff. Some companies are providing time off with pay
They can be reassured that the school reform legisla-
to campaign and to serve. More are contributing
tion provides money for training sessions. Principals
money to help neighborhood organizations and other
have a vested interest in being helpful; the councils can
groups push candidates or working with a private
refuse to renew their contracts. But there also may be
agency, Leadership for Quality Education, toward
a new role for activist groups, education associations,
school reform goals.
foundations and other agencies in developing helpful,
But time is short. Efforts to publicize the unprece-
trusted support systems, informative task forces,
dented election may not be adequate. Many qualified
troubleshooters and other aids.
people have excuses for not running. Some who could
do a good job may lack the self-confidence to try.
Without enough good candidates to fill the 595 coun-
cils, school reform could be in jeopardy.
Whatever the difficulties, Chicago is committed to
2. Attempts to play racial politics with school reform
the particular school reform plan written into law last
must stop.
year. It could become an acclaimed national model for
Actions by Mayor Daley and by the interim school
improving education everywhere. Or it could fail,
board must be judged by their consequences for school
dragging the nation's worst public school system into
children, not used as fodder for the 1991 mayoral
even greater failure.
election. Efforts to aid the school reform process by
The hard reality is that the people of Chicago have
business leaders, foundations and activist groups must
no choice except to work as hard as they can to make
be weighed on their merits, not automatically dis-
the unprecedented effort succeed.
BALT. SUN: 09-05-89
Question Marks in Education
TOP
Major question marks surround school districts
recent years, these small systems have found
in the Baltimore region as another academic year
themselves sharing the kinds of budgetary prob-
begins this week.
lems Baltimore City faces. Undoubtedly, there will
The success of reorganization of public educa-
be efforts by these jurisdictions to persuade a re-
tion systems will be put to the test in Baltimore
luctant General Assembly to spend more on edu-
City and Baltimore County. Anne Arundel County
cation in the state's poorest areas.
Jaces a work slowdown from unionized adminis-
There is encouraging news, though, from a Gal-
trators. Carroll and Howard counties continue to
lup Poll on attitudes toward public schools. Nearly
try to cope with soaring enrollments.
three-fourths of the public thinks it is "very impor-
In the city, the entire top echelon is new and
tant" to improve inner-city schools. By a 2-1 mar-
'nearly 500 administrative staff members have
gin, respondents say they are willing to pay higher
been shifted into different jobs. In Baltimore Coun-
taxes to support proper efforts to improve public
by. the responsibilities of some 100 staff members
education - including allowing students and par-
have been altered. Of necessity, these kinds of
ents to choose which public schools in their com-
-lärge-scale changes will produce initial difficulties.
munities the pupils will attend. This "parental
Adjustments also may have to be made in Anne
choice" movement is law in Minnesota, Arkansas
Arundel, where a union representing principals,
and Iowa and it is under consideration in several
-vice principals and top office personal is involved
other states. Respondents also favor a "standard-
in a contract dispute and has ordered a work-to-
ized national curriculum" as well as national
"rule job action that is certain to affect some class-
standards and goals for public schools and nation-
room work. These are temporary difficulties that
ally standardized tests to measure achievement.
time will alleviate.
The resounding message here is that the public
One of the striking features of Maryland's pub-
is ready for tradition-shattering changes in policies
Fic education system is its diversity. Five of the
that govern public schools. This is a finding that
Tocal school districts - Baltimore City and Mont-
should stir the intellectual juices of Maryland's
gomery. Prince George's, Baltimore and Anne
educators. It also gives additional weight to the
Arundel counties - have budgets so large they
proposals of the Governor's Commission on School
rank among the 50 biggest in the nation. Yet
Performance, including its recommendation that
Maryland also has some very small school systems
individual schools be subjected to an accreditation
Somerset. Cecil and Garrett, for example. In
process to improve quality and accountability.
09-05-89
A Chance for Bush To Refocus on Schools
285/701
Brizius estimates. And we now
schools like 1920s Industrial con-
Washington.
by Ernest Boyer, head of the Carne-
very competitiveness in the future as
gle Foundation for the Advancement
a nation, and to our very soul as a
know that the "top-down" state
glomerates. with orders from on high
mandates didn't help underprivi-
for how each principal and teacher,
MATTER how you slice it.
of Teaching:
people."
N
"If a health epidemic were strik-
Here is a president who even un-
leged kids much at all.
In lock-step. has to function. The
President George Bush's edu-
derstands that it's ultimately a mat-
Third, business-school "partner-
new model - proving successful
cation "summit" meeting
ing one-fourth of the children in this
ships" such as adopt-a-school and
even In deprived Inner-city areas
with the nation's governors, set for
country. If we had heaps of garbage
ter of "national security" when
September 27-28 in Charlottesville,
on the curbs a national emergen-
schools fail to reach and educate
mentoring programs are helpful. But
Is to give each principal and his or
cy would be declared," said Mr. Boy-
poor and disadvantaged students.
what's needed is pervasive reform of
her cadre of teachers the profession-
Va. has to be good news.
At a minimum, the meeting
er. "But when hundreds of thou-
Maybe Mr. Bush is simply surround-
the way education Is run in America.
al responsibility to decide how they
What does that mean?
will educate their charges. And hold
sands of students leave school every
ed by so many children and grand-
children that he instinctively grasps
We could start by taking control
them accountable for the results.
year shockingly unprepared, the na-
By Neal R. Peirce
tion remains far too lethargic. We
society's nurturing and educating
of schools away from independently
School-based management fits
elected school boards and putting
nicely with letting parents choose
need a larger vision - an urgent
imperatives in a way the more isolat-
ed "Gipper" never could.
them under general-purpose govern-
which public school their child will
call to action and the president
ment. If war is too important to be
attend - a concept President Bush
Should focus fresh national attention
himself must lead the way.
But without new federal mega-
ch the faltering performance of the
Addressing the Business Round-
left to generals, education is too Im-
supports. Like the rest of society.
bucks, what can a "summit"
nation's schools. At its best, it could
table, Mr. Boyer went on to urge a
portant to be left to petty political
schools need to compete, each devel-
achieve?
oping Its own strengths, in effect be
produce new urgency in launching a
812 billion "Marshall Plan" for edu-
flefdoms and Imperious school ad-
First, It can spotlight. in dramatic
ministrators unaccountable to the
coming its own "magnet" school.
determined "second wave" of basic
cation precisely the kind of solu-
form, the deep threat that under-
chool reform.
mayors and councils. We ultimately
American education must be-
tion Mr. Bush rejects. If our schools
The president promises to attend
are still failing despite the total $330
performing schools pose to our soci-
hold mayors accountable for the
come an exciting enterprise. full of
billion the nation Invests in them
ety.
whole municipal enterprise. Why
fresh and competing Ideas. The
**every minute" of the two-day meet-
The with the governors. So important
yearly, Mr. Bush reasons, "the chal-
Second, the summit should honor
not let them appoint the school su-
president with his visibility. and the
the meeting. he argues, that only
lenge of education reform suggests
but not falsely prolong the reform
perintendents of their choice? And
governors with their powers to
two comparable summits ever hap-
wave that began in 1983. It was im-
then hold them accountable for the
change budgets and set policies, are
something much more fundamental
portant to stiffen course require-
results?
the right combination to Ignite a new
pened before — the first when Ted-
than money."
dy Roosevelt assembled the gover-
Even Mr. Bush's critics should
ments in such areas as math and
A summit should celebrate and
reform wave. The process can also
nors to talk about an end to ravaging
acknowledge his legitimate personal
foreign language, to eliminate "80-
promote the Idea of school-based
goad more governors, and their
the country's forests. the second in
concern about the schools. In con-
cial promotion" from grade to grade,
management. This means radical
states, Into launching full reform
1933 when FDR convened the state
trast to Ronald Reagan, who rode
to mandate teacher-competency
slimming down of central school bu-
agendas.
executives to discuss ways out of the
into Washington trying to abolish
reaucracies that busy themselves
But If It's to make any difference.
tests.
Great Depression.
the Department of Education, Mr.
But the reforms produced at most
with fastidious micro-management
George Bush can't leave It at one
The need for a presidentially con-
Bush appears earnest in asserting
a 5 percent increase in the schools'
of the schools.
"summit." He'll have to keep on
that, "education is the key to our
effectiveness, education expert Jack
We must stop running our
leading.
yened effort was pinpointed in June
WASH. POST 09-05-89
TALKING POINTS
Returned Copies of Constitution
Brown pointed out that West Virginia has the
second lowest-paid teachers and one of the highest
Inspire Broadside From Burger
dropout rates in the country. "We all know the limits
our state presently has on its budget," he said, "so
When it comes to the Constitution and former
we want it to be clear to the president that real
chief justice Warren E. Burger, there's no fooling
money from Washington is more important than
around.
rhetoric."
That's apparently what prompted Burger to fire
Meanwhile, Delaware Gov. Michael N. Castle (R)
off an angry letter last week to Rep. Fortney "Pete"
convened his own summit last month in preparation
Stark (D-Calif.). Sources at the Commission on the
for the national meeting. "The president's education
Bicentennial of the Constitution, which Burger
summit offers us an opportunity to contribute to the
heads, said "the chief" was incensed that Stark had
national debate about the future of education-and
returned 1,000 copies of the Constitution to the
at the same time identify how Delaware's schools
agency, "in the name of eliminating duplicative or
can improve in the next few years," Castle said.
unnecessary spending."
In a three-paragraph letter on Supreme Court
Hoover Institution Director Retires
letterhead, Burger told Stark that someone on his
staff had requested the materials earlier this sum-
W. Glenn Campbell, for 30 years director of the
mer. "Either I or someone on our staff will be avail-
Hoover Institution of War, Revolution and Peace, a
able to assure that the 'right hand' on your staff will
conservative think tank at Stanford University, has
know what some of the other hands are doing,"
retired. The think tank has been widely credited
Burger said.
with providing ideas and foot soldiers for the Rea-
"I do not regard it as a "waste" of government
gan administration.
money to make 10c copies of the Constitution avail-
Under Campbell, the institution tripled in size and
able to as many Americans as possible," he told
its endowment soared to more than $125 million.
Stark.
The growth led some Stanford faculty members to
A spokesman for Stark said he had no comment
propose that the university sever its relationship
on why the congressman had rejected the copies.
with the think tank.
According to an Associated Press report, former
States Prepare for Education Summit
Hoover fellow Michael J. Boskin, chairman of the
White House Council of Economic Advisers, has
Hoping to attract some attention and put a little
been mentioned as a candidate to succeed Campbell.
pressure on President Bush to keep his pledge to be
the education president, two states are gearing up
Political Science Association Awards
for the educational summit Bush plans to hold with
the 50 governors Sept. 27-28 in Charlottesville.
During its annual convention over the weekend,
The West Virginia Federation of Teachers an-
the American Political Science Association honored
nounced plans to solicit comments from classroom
a number of Washingtonians. Ronald Walters of
teachers and citizens on their priorities for public
Howard University received the association's Ralph
education in the state. The information will be given
J. Bunche Award for the best scholarly work on eth-
to West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton (D) to help
nic and cultural pluralism. Walters, an adviser to
define his goals for the summit.
Jesse L. Jackson, was honored for his book, "Black
"The only way the governor can clearly under-
Presidential Politics in America: A Strategic Ap-
stand the challenges teachers and other school per-
proach."
sonnel in West Virginia face is to listen to the con-
White House national security adviser Brent
cerns of those who see the problems firsthand," fed-
Scowcroft received the Hubert H. Humphrey
eration president Rick Lyon said.
Award for notable public service by a political sci-
Bush said he hopes the education summit will set
entist.
goals for school districts, but federation executive
The Carey McWilliams Award went to Lesley
director Bob Brown said: "Education is largely con-
Stahl of CBS News for a major journalistic contri-
trolled by governors and localities-not by the fed-
bution to understanding politics.
eral government. The goals educators express to
-Maralee Schwartz, Bill McAllister
Caperton must be goals for the state to carry out."
and David S. Broder
WASH.POST:09-05-89
Md. Schools Reaching Out
To Children Without Homes
Programs Encourage Enrollment, Study
105
By Claudia Levy
70
were more than 2,500 children
It was better than transferring to
Washington Post Staff Writer
without homes last year.
still another new place, he said.
State education officials also are
None of his friends knew what he
The lanky, quiet seventh-grader
planning after-school programs in li-
was going through.
was ashamed that he and his family
braries, a book drive and tutoring
"The social worker notified me
had been evicted from their apart-
sessions at shelters for homeless
because the boy had become de-
ment, that he and his mother had
children, said Peggy Jackson-Jobe,
pressed," the head guidance coun-
had to live for a while in their car
state coordinator of the programs.
selor at the school said. "I clued in a
and had ended up in a shelter in
School systems in this region
few of his teachers, and indicated
Wheaton. The only constant in his
have formally adopted guidelines of
that he needed some TLC. I feel
life was his school, miles away in
the McKinney Act ensuring that
that that's probably the best way
northeastern Montgomery County.
children without fixed addresses
we have."
The teenager was one of more
will be encouraged to enroll for
Daniel Thompson, an unem-
than 1,400 students in Montgomery
classes, overriding the usual resi-
ployed miner who was staying with
last year without a permanent ad-
dency requirements.
his wife and eight children in a Gai-
dress. The number of students reg-
"Some states are being reason-
thersburg motel last week, said he
istering out of motels, shelters, rel-
ably activist" about complying with
was told he could enroll his children
the McKinney Act, said Mary Ellen
in local schools there, even though
Hombs, acting director of the local
the family has been homeless for
office of the National Coalition for
"Kids need a quiet
nearly a year and lives off and on in
the Homeless. "Maryland seems to
a Toyota station wagon.
place they can do
be a pretty good example
But
Finding the money for housing
there's nothing notable in Virginia's
continues to be the family's most
homework. In a
report no display of real aware-
pressing problem, Thompson said.
ness." Virginia did not submit state-
But in the meantime, "I'll probably
room where there
wide figures, but reported that Al-
put the kids in school in Gaithers-
exandria had 1,093 homeless chil-
burg, and just live out of the car or
dren.
the motel," he said.
are 50 other people,
The District said it had 1,136
they don't have a
children in shelters at the end of
1988.
quiet place.'
In visiting 45 shelters in seven
Maryland counties this summer,
- Peggy Jackson-Jobe
Jackson-Jobe said the problems fac-
ing schoolchildren were immediate.
atives' homes and, in some cases,
"Kids need a quiet place they can do
even cars is expected to grow when
homework," she said.
the homeroom counts come in after
"In a room where there are 50
school begins this week, officials
other people, they don't have a qui-
said.
et place. When the teacher gives
Across the Washington area, well
them a project to do, if they don't
more than 5,000 school-age chil-
dren are believed to be homeless,
have a library card, they can't get
along with thousands of their
one."
younger siblings, according to
Montgomery County libraries al-
school system estimates.
low students to list shelters as their
As economic hard times and drug
homes to qualify for borrowers'
cards, a spokeswoman said. Jack-
problems have pushed an increasing
son-Jobe said similar arrangements
number of families out on the
were being worked out in other
street. shelters that were once full
counties this fall.
only in winter now are crowded
The Wheaton youth. now enter-
year-round. social service agencies
ing the eighth grade. said he is ac-
said.
customed to waking before dawn
Maryland educators reported
for the two-hour journey by bus to
that the number of homeless chil-
his old school.
dren doubled in the state from 1987
to 1988, to an estimated 11,000.
In the past year, school systems
nationwide began being held ac-
countable for the education of
homeless children under provisions
of the two-year-old Stewart B.
McKinney Homeless Assistance
Act. States were required to submit
plans last spring.
As part of its response to the re-
quirements, Maryland is launching
a new system to track children
without homes.
In Prince George's County, sec-
ond in the state only to Baltimore in
the number of homeless, there
BALT. SUN: 09-03-89
John Toll's University
In his 11 years as leader of the sprawling Uni-
search grants. The faculty of seven programs are
versity of Maryland, John S. Toll has tried to steer
ranked in the top ten of public universities. Ad-
the state's dominant higher-education institution
mission standards have risen considerably. And
toward academic excellence. By almost any mea-
private fund-raising - almost unheard of at UM
surement, UM has made encouraging progress.
in 1978 - topped $20 million in 1988, with a
When Mr. Toll returned to UM in 1978 as its
$200 million campaign now under way.
president, the university had finally erased its im-
Mr. Toll has been especially active in linking
age as a football factory. He provided the energy
the university to industry and government. UM is
and drive to push UM toward the forefront of pub-
deeply involved in numerous high-tech research
Ifc universities. concentrating on recruiting faculty
projects and has opened thriving centers in Shady
talent, starting programs to attract bright students
Grove, Bowie and Baltimore that have drawn na-
and initiating private fund-raising activities. Most
tional attention.
Important of all, he created partnerships with
While Mr. Toll has won praise for luring good
business. industry and government that could pro-
faculty to Maryland and maintaining the high
duce big benefits in the decades ahead.
standards of its graduate schools, UM's under-
John Toll has always been an academic build-
graduate programs have not fared as well. His
er. He turned a six-member physics department at
micro-management style cost UM a number of
College Park into a 70-member department with
skilled administrators. And his failure to give the
international stature in the 1950s and 1960s.
Baltimore region a consolidated, comprehensive
Then he transformed the State University of New
university system stands as a major shortcoming.
York. at Stony Brook from a sleepy Long Island
The Toll era at Maryland officially ends on
campus with 1,700 students into a bustling insti-
Tuesday, when an Interim chancellor, James A.
tution of 17,000.
"Dolph" Norton. arrives at Adelphi. He takes over
During Mr. Toll's 11-year tenure at Maryland,
an enlarged UM with considerable potential. John
the number of National Merit Scholars rose sev-
Toll's university may not yet have reached the top
en-fold. UM ranks among the nation's leaders in
tier of peer Institutions, but It has taken some
prestigious faculty fellowships and in federal re-
large steps in that direction.
TRIBUNE 09-03-89
Reform already
affecting schools
Confusion grows as 1st classes near
70
By Karen M. Thomas
all in place the first day of school,"
Education writer
said board Vice President William
When school doors open Tues-
Singer. "Some of those positions
day in Chicago, attention that has
are not even budgeted for the
been focused on a far-reaching law
whole school year. The most im-
to reshape the failing school system
portant thing is having a principal
will shift from board chambers,
and the basic school needs filled,
corporate workshops and commu-
and I think that will all take
nity forums to the city's schools
place."
and their 410,000 students.
Some of those new jobs are being
While the school year typically
sought by those with teaching cer-
begins amid some confusion, several
tificates who had held one of the
school officials are predicting that
512 positions that the board cut
this year's start may be rougher
from its $2.2 billion budget. More
than usual as rapid and sweeping
than half of the school system's
changes in the Chicago School Re-
district superintendents and staff,
form Act find their way out of the
as well as a number of clerical,
system's central offices and into the
middle managers and administra-
hallways of the local schools.
tors at central offices, were affected
"There is more confusion out
by the cuts.
there than usual, and I suspect that
"I don't have a place," said
this school opening will be a little
Frank Ventura, former District 8
worse because there are a lot of
superintendent, who lost his job
questions yet to be answered," said
under the cuts. "I think most of us
Bruce Berndt, president of the Chi-
have been offered that we could be
cago Principals Association.
placed on an eligibility list for
Principals are finding themselves
classroom teaching, but I don't
at the forefront of putting in place
have a grade to teach or a school
new policies set by the interim
to be placed as interim principal,
Chicago Board of Education and
so I'm out."
preparing their schools for the Oc-
It is up to the principals to de-
tober elections of powerful local
cide who will fill vacant slots;
school councils, which are at the
whether art or music should be re-
heart of the city's efforts to im-
instated at their schools; how many
prove its public schools.
new teachers will be needed to re-
The councils to be formed at 648
duce class sizes by one pupil at
city elementary and high schools
each elementary school; and how
will have the power to hire and fire
elections for the local school coun-
the principal, develop a school im-
cils will be handled.
provement plan and approve the
Some principals say they are sim-
local school budget.
ply making choices-like choosing
An early settlement with teachers
between music and art-that they
and other employees has guaran-
expect could be overturned by the
teed that teachers will be on the
local school councils once they are
job Tuesday and the children will
elected.
be in the classroom on Wednesday.
"At this point in time, we are
But that settlement and a pact with
just more inclined to lean toward
the federal and state governments
music, because we have some tal-
to improve special education serv-
ent on our staff in that area,"
ices call for more than 1,000 new
Brown said. "But that does not
teachers and other changes that
mean we are locked in if the coun-
principals must spearhead.
cil prefers art."
"It is a different opening," said
With the shift to the local
Benjamin Terry, principal of Arm-
schools, the board will now focus
strong Elementary School. 5345 W.
on the elections, the ongoing
Congress Pkwy. "No one really
search for a new school superinten-
knows how this is all going to go.
dent and negotiations with teachers
It's kind of a challenge.
and other employees for a mul-
"Even though the contract is
tiyear agreement that would ensure
signed and people have security in
smooth school openings for at least
being able to return, overall there
two years.
seems to be something that per-
The board and supporters of the
meates the air. It's the uncertain-
reform movement recently won
ty," said Rufus Brown, principal of
several important legai battles when
Banneker Elementary School, 6656
two Cook County Circuit Court
S. Normal Blvd.
judges ruled against principals, dis-
It is unlikely that the new posi-
trict superintendents and parents
tions will be filled by Tuesday or
who had sought to have elements
even by the end of September,
of the school reform law blocked.
since many are based on school en-
"I think you will find everything
rollment figures that typically are
is under control and everything will
not set for the year until early Oc-
happen in a very orderly way,"
tober.
Singer said. "My guess is that all is
"I don't think we will have them
going very well."
As the Schools Go, So Goes the City
09-02-89
TOP
ployment and crime resulting from
as responsibile for the performance
provided on a concentrated basis;
come taxes have fallen from 9 per-
By Felix G. Rohatyn
the high dropout rate will drive more
of the schools as for the cleanliness of
tutoring could be provided by older
cent in 1985 to 7.875 percent now,
people and businesses out of the
the streets. Accordingly, the
students in exchange for educational
and are scheduled to drop to 7.5 per-
he failure of New York
mayor should be empowered to ap-
credits and might not involve large
cent and 7 percent in the next two
city.
T
City's public schools
We should not accept Band-Aid ap-
point the majority of the board, with
outlays.
years.
and the implications of
proaches and mere declarations of
the borough presidents appointing the
Sixth, the involvement of the busi-
These cuts would amount to about
their disintegration for
good intent from the mayoral candi-
balance. Under the current rules, no
ness community should be institution-
$400 million in 1990 and $1.3 billion in
the city's future have
dates. Turning the schools around
one appoints a majority, so no one is
alized. Business can assist in provid
1991. To maintain or increase state
at long last become too
will require fundamental changes
responsible.
ing summer jobs and after-school
aid to meet local needs such as educa-
and a new definition of what the pub-
Third, we should recognize that
training, furnish financial assistance
tion, it's worth considering whether
serious to ignore. As voters assess
this year's mayoral race, they should
lic schools are supposed to be.
decentralization as it is now prac-
for higher education and guarantee
income taxes should be temporarily
think carefully about the candidate
It will require strenuous political
ticed has failed miserably. The com-
jobs for deserving graduates.
frozen at present levels.
who has the determination and vision
effort on the part of Gov. Mario
munity school districts are just pa-
Seventh, clean and modern physi
Still, it is sheer fantasy to deal with
to create a school system to meet the
Cuomo, legislative leaders, the next
tronage sources and corruption is
cal facilities should be provided by
a major problem such as public
city's needs in coming decades. No
mayor, our Congressional delegation,
rampant. The mayor, with the chan-
the new school construction agency
education without greater Federal
issue is more important to New
the business community, teachers
cellor, should have the power to ap-
on an accelerated basis.
assistance. The budget deficit pro
York.
and parents. It will require a great
point half the seats on the community
Eighth, the schools need more
vides Washington with an excuse to
Major reform is required for two
deal of money.
boards. Parents should be heavily
money. The question, of course, is
do nothing. However, this is a reason
reasons. First, a decent public educa-
To begin with, we must have
represented.
where that's going to come from.
to eliminate the deficit, not to ignore
competent and experienced leader-
Fourth, we have to develop new
New York City cannot afford to im-
major problems.
The loss of Federal aid over the
ship. At a time when continuity is
teachers. To persuade students to go
pose new taxes. However, it can ef
TOMORROW'S NEW YORK
critical, the tragic death of Chancel-
into teaching, scholarships and
fect savings that can be reinvested
past eight years is dramatic. If Fed-
lor Richard Green faced the Board of
financial incentives should be pro-
First on the list should be the awe
eral aid had continued in 1989 at 1981
The Next Mayor
Education with a challenge that it
vided. To persuade them to remain in
some educational bureaucracy,
levels, the city would have received
failed to meet.
education, we need competitive com-
which now consumes about $600 mil-
$1.2 billion more in the expense
An Occasional Series
Chancellor Green had recently ap-
pensation and civilized working
lion a year.
budget and $1.8 billion more in hous-
pointed a competent and experienced
conditions.
Citywide labor costs, which will be
ing programs. We cannot continue to
tion should be considered a basic civil
deputy, Bernard Mecklowitz. But the
Fifth, schools must, in many cases,
negotiated again in 1990, are another
make up for these losses.
right; the goal of equal opportunity
board gave in to political pressures to
become extensions of the family.
prime target. An increase of 5 per-
An alliance of the Democratic Con
becomes a cynical slogan if decent
begin a search for a minority candi-
Schools should be open through the
cent to 6 percent, which would cost
gressional leadership and the na-
education isn't made available.
date. During this search, change is at
evening to provide after-school study
the city between $700 million and $900
tional business community could pro-
vide backing for a tax increase to sup-
Second, New York City's economy
a standstill, and a new chancellor will
and recreation facilities, meals for
million, is clearly unaffordable.
will rapidly deteriorate without a sup-
need from 18 months to two years to
those children who need them and
The city should maintain its labor
port public education. These funds
ply of skilled employees for tomor-
learn the system.
evening sessions for parents in need
costs at current levels by a combina-
could be targeted to local govern-
row's predominately service econ-
It is wrong to bring ethnic stand-
of educational assistance.
tion of lower wage settlements and a
ments for teacher pay, counselors,
omy. Furthermore, the cost of unem-
ards into the selection process. And it
Counseling should be available be-
smaller workforce. This can be
longer school hours, etc.
makes little sense to bring in an out-
fore a child gets into trouble. There is
achieved by attrition and manage-
This is a difficult and costly agen-
Felix G. Rohatyn, a partner with La-
sider, unless he or she is truly out-
now one counselor for every 700 chil-
ment efforts which will produce con-
da. But doing nothing will be costlier
zard Frères & Company, is chairman
standing, when we have a perfectly
dren in the system; this should be
siderable savings in future years.
still. It will ultimately destroy the
of the Municipal Assistance Corpora-
experienced and able incumbent.
brought down to one in 70 over the
By contrast, the state does have
city's ability to function as a leading
tion.
Second, the mayor should be made
next five years. Tutoring should be
some flexibility with taxes. State in
economic and cultural center.
BALT.SUN: 09-02-89
Testest Score Gap
Maryland school officials have reported new
than three times as many black children as whites
findings that reveal a disturbing problem: a big
are officially classified by the government as living
gap in test scores between black and white school
children in the state. An examination of achieve-
in poverty, a condition that affects family stability
and impacts on the level of support and encour-
ment test scores found a distinct racial break-
agement a child receives at home.
down, with Asian students scoring highest, fol-
lowed by whites, Hispanics and finally blacks. It
The problems of teen pregnancy, drug use, vio-
also revealed that blacks fall further and further
lence and crime are also disproportionately high
among poor, urban blacks, whose schools are of-
behind whites as they advance from third grade to
ten overcrowded and under-equipped. The trouble
eighth grade, by which time they are reading at a
was spelled out in a recent ABC television special,
level two years behind whites and three years
behind Asians.
"Black in White America," produced by the net-
work's black staffers, who noted there are more
These findings are alarming, but they are not
black men of college age in jail than in school.
surprising since they are in line with national
Maryland school officials said that the racial
findings on achievement test scores. They also
gap grows wider as children get older, but Prince
follow state and national patterns of disparity be-
George's County has provided an example of how
tween blacks and whites in other aspects of life -
from the higher rate of low birthweight among
to turn that trend around. Over the past two years,
black achievement scores in that suburban Wash-
black babies to the higher rate of death among
ington county have seen a dramatic rise because
black men from violence, heart attacks and
strokes. Black unemployment is twice the rate
of a concerted effort by school officials and politi-
cal leaders to bring about improvements. The ef-
among whites, as It has been for many years.
fort includes spending more money on instruction
Poverty rates are even further apart. The national
and encouraging greater parental involvement in
poverty rate was 34.7 percent among blacks in
education. It stands as a lesson to other school
1968, when it was 10 percent among whites. Al-
most 20 years later, in 1987, It was 31 percent
systems in the state that something can be done to
among blacks and 11 percent among whites. More
close the test score gap before it grows to the point
of no return.
WASH. POST :09-01-89
Jougs
Math, Science and Spaceflight
T
HE VALIANT Voyager 2, now departing the
the Voyager spectacle are built of familiar textbook
solar system after its historic pass of Neptune,
concepts, concepts that can be translated into math
has been hailed as a groundbreaking mission, a
and science for kids as young as third grade and then
textbook example of planning and a cost-effective
into progressively more complex ones.
venture that paid back its relatively small investment a
Take the appearance of Voyager's pictures, trans-
thousandfold. But it was something else too: the best
mitted by radio wave. Elementary school students can
advertisement in a decade for showing school-age kids
learn a good deal about the physical concepts of a radio
the kind of magical payoff that can result from the
wave. They can be shown the role in such transmission
hard study of math and science. At a time when
of base-two number systems; color enhancement means
educators are agonizing over how to attract more
learning about the spectrum; older kids can use equa-
students into these fields, such a motivational bonanza
tions to "smooth out" the images. Slightly older students
should not go unnoticed.
26
TI Nor has it. While Voyager was nosing closer to
can also learn something about navigation and how to
Neptune last week, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
plot the orbit of a planet: this requires the use of ratios
Pasadena, Calif., was hosting not only hordes of
and, later on, trigonometry. "You give students a reason
journalists but also 700 educators who went there to
to learn the skill," explains Gil Yanow of the JPL
attend a conference on linking Voyager's accom-
education program. "Actually, if you get them excited
plishments to classroom activities. The JPL in Cali-
enough, they'll learn it on their own."
fornia and NASA in Washington both have long-
Adult liberal-arts types who were taught math more
standing programs of this type, and with each big
traditionally may boggle at the idea of being given a
event-Voyager, the Venus-bound Magellan launch
reason to learn trigonometry. Wasn't trigonometry, like
last May, the Galileo probe this fall-materials and
so much else, just there to make you suffer? But this kind
kits go out to classrooms, museums and, of course,
of why-we-do-it lesson planning is now the forefront of
planetariums. The slides and posters are fun, but the
the latest new-math thinking. And when you see Nep-
curriculum materials are even more useful in their
tune and Triton rising in the Voyager viewport, that kind
way: they show how the striking effects that make up
of new thinking makes heartening good sense.
TIMES: 09-01-89
Heroin-crack mix
headed for schools
entered drug treatment. Dr. Faggett
By Jay Mallin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
1260/701
said the dealer pleaded with him to
do something because he feared for
Local drug dealers are planning to
the well-being of his 8-year-old son.
introduce a deadly, smokable mix-
"It's been test-marketed [by local
ture of crack cocaine and heroin
dealers), and the marketing strategy
next week to coincide with the open-
apparently is to release it when
ing of area schools, a substance-
school opens because that is the tar-
abuse expert at D.C. General Hospi-
get population," Dr. Faggett said
tal said yesterday.
after testifying before a Senate Judi-
The product, so new that it does
ciary Committee hearing on illegal
not have an established name, may
drugs.
turn a whole generation of District
The appearance of the drug in the
youths into heroin addicts, said Dr.
Washington area "easily could be the
Walter Faggett, director of sub-
worst news since the emergence of
stance-abuse services at the hospi-
crack cocaine," Dr. Faggett said, re-
tal. Names that have been used else-
ferring to the time when crack re-
where include "speedball," from an
placed PCP [phencyclidine] as the
older term for heroin, and "para-
drug of choice in the District.
chute," for the soft landing that her-
At the same time, a spokesman for
about very young people," Dr. Fag-
oin provides after crack's brief high.
the Metropolitan Police Department
gett said.
Dr. Faggett said he learned of the
said yesterday that police narcotics
Crack highs, which last only a few
planned introduction by talking to
experts told him they know addicts
minutes, often end in a depression so
several drug dealers, including a 45-
sometimes combine cocaine and
severe it drives users to suicide. In
year-old heroin dealer who recently
heroin - either for injection or
the cocaine-heroin combination, the
smoking - but that in the District
heroin cushions that fall.
the combination, so far, is used only
But crack-heroin users "are, at a
by older addicts.
high risk of death," Dr. Faggett said,
"They say it's not popular among
because crack can cause heart fail-
young people," Officer Quintin
ure and heroin depresses the res-
Peterson said. "It may very well turn
piratory system so severely that us-
that way, but right now it's not."
ers may nod off and stop breathing.
Many heroin users are in their
Mr. Hopkins, who directs a team
30s, while most crack addicts are
of ex-addicts in "street research" for
teen-agers. The young crack addicts
the state's Division of Substance
have tended to avoid heroin because
Abuse Services, told the Senate com-
of "squeamishness" about the neces-
mittee the new combination is being
sity of injecting it, said Richard
tried by New York City "yuppies"
Lopez, a psychologist with D.C. Gen-
and college students. Users report
eral's substance abuse program.
uneven success with it, possibly be-
By providing a new product that
cause smoking only will work with
can be smoked like crack, D.C. drug
varieties of heroin that vaporize at
dealers are introducing crack ad-
low temperatures.
dicts to a second addiction-heroin.
"You are going to end up with a
Still, he said, use "is growing and
dual addiction," said William Hop-
growing rapidly."
kins, who works with drug abusers
Last year, area drug dealers intro-
in New York City. He said the new
duced a mixture called "Space
addicts may turn to intravenous in-
Base," or "Beam me up Scotty," a po-
jections of heroin "and what that
tent combination of PCP and cocaine
would mean would be an entire new
that was widely popular among
generation on heroin."
street users.
"We are talking about a very pro-
Tracie Reddick contributed to
found addiction, and we are talking
this report.
Shake-up hits Hoover Institution
to try to bring Hoover under "normal
academic governance."
"Basically what they want is our
buildings and money," Mr. Campbell
By Carol Innerst
Campbell's deputy director for
gentleman."
said. "They don't care about our
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
10
nearly two years, has been appointed
"Tough in a different way," he said.
books and archives."
acting director while a search com-
"Some think he's nicer. He'll handle
He put Hoover's worth at "over
A power shift occurred today at
mittee looks for a new director. He
it well. He was my deputy director,
$300 million," not placing any value
besieged Hoover Institution on the
said he has been assured he is con-
after all:"
on the scholars. The endowment is
campus of Stanford University as its
sidered a "serious candidate" for the
"I think Glenn and I share the goal
about $130 million.
long-entrenched director and guard-
long-term directorship.
of attracting the best possible public
Hoover is formally a part of Stan
ian, W. Glenn Campbell, grudgingly
When Stanford's board of trustees
policy scholarship we can attract -
ford University. located in the center
moved to the sidelines under terms
gave Mr. Campbell the boot, they
independent of ideological bent," Mr.
of the campus and receiving about
of a forced retirement.
also gave him a golden parachute
Raisian said. "I think I'm as commit-
$4 million annually for library sup-
Ousting of the crusty, hard-line
that conveyed the probable lifetime
ted to the best interests of Hoover as
port. Hoover's budget is about $14
conservative who for 30 years pro-
title of "counselor" in the Hoover
Glenn is, but I don't know that we
million annually.
tected Hoover's autonomy has raised
hierarchy. He also gets to keep his
have the same kind of personality
Stanford doesn't control Hoover.
anew fears of the think tank's aca-
11th-floor office in the 285-foot Hoo-
traits. I consider myself pretty darn
The family of the late President Her
demic and financial absorption by
ver tower that looms over Stanford's
conservative, but not as quick to
bert Hoover drew up the incorporat-
Stanford's traditionally liberal fac-
red tile roofs.
show my stances on particular is-
ing documents in a way to make en-
ulty and administration.
Mr. Raisian views Mr. Campbell
sues as Glenn is. I'm not as colorful,
croachment by the university
But there are indications that Mr.
as a "top adviser" and will seek his
without question, but most people
difficult. In particular, the Stanford
Campbell, at least for awhile, will
input in the decision-making pro-
consider me pretty conservative."
provost, faculty and board of
continue to wield influence.
cess.
He said that he's as committed as
trustees have little control over the
The acting director, John Raisian,
Mr. Campbell, 65, still upset about
his former boss to fending off "take-
Hoover director's appointments to
sees Mr. Campbell as "sidelined but
the high-handed manner in which
over" plots aimed at Hoover.
research positions. And there is no
not out" in his new role as "coun-
Stanford President Donald Kennedy
The first test of his mettle could
tenure at Hoover, which gives the
selor" at Hoover.
and the trustees forced him out,
come as early as October, when the
director a freer hand than most uni
Mr. Raisian, 40, who was Mr.
praised Mr. Raisian as a "a tough
Stanford faculty senate is scheduled
versity presidents.
:09-01-89
Rhode Island pledges school aid
if students promise to behave
By Susan Levine
The program is being supported enthusias-
Inquirer Staff Writer
tically by Rhode Island's two teacher organi-
A sweeping plan that would provide aca-
The program will provide
zations, business groups, the state Chamber
demic help to students from the third grade
of Commerce and the Rhode Island Urban
through high school and promise graduates
academic and social aid to
League.
money toward college costs was approved
"It's just a total. effort by the state to
yesterday in Rhode Island.
students beginning in the
provide something new and different," said
Proposed by Gov. Edward D. DiPrete and
Harvey Press, president of the Rhode Island
passed by the state Board of Governors for
third grade. Graduates will
chapter of the National Education Associa-
Higher Education, the "Rhode Island Chil-
tion, which plans to contribute financially.
dren's Crusade" will require a major commit-
receive college scholarships.
"It's a very ambitious program, but I think
ment from the children it pledges to help.
if people are committed they can in fact pull
They and their parents will have to agree
it off," said B. J. Clanton, executive director
to obey the law, avoid drugs, work with
celli said. Students attending other Rhode
of the Rhode Island Urban League.
mentors and tutors, have their report cards
Island schools and apprenticeship programs
New York state last year enacted "Liberty
monitored by state officials and act as good
or proprietary schools would receive less.
Scholarships" for lower-income students ac-
examples in their neighborhoods.
Students attending private colleges would
cepted by public or private New York col-
"Rhode Island is about to become the first
receive the maximum scholarship.
leges. And a plan to take effect in 1993 at
state to embark on a program of this magni-
"Students will be able to hang a certificate
Louisiana state colleges will guarantee to
tude on a statewide basis," DiPrete said.
on the wall and say, This is $10,000. This is
waive tuition, fees, room and board for quali-
The program, which is expected to enroll
something to strive for,' said Leila Ma-
fied students whose family income is less
its first participants in the fall of 1991, is
honey, DiPrete's senior assistant.
than $30,000 a year.
aimed at the estimated one-third of the
Mahoney plans to ask businesses, founda-
Mahoney said that Rhode Island's program
state's 10,000 third-graders who are economi-
tions. and schools to contribute to a state-
will go further by enrolling students at an
cally disadvantaged. Its goal is to halve the
created foundation to get the program going.
early age and giving them educational and
dropout rate among those students, to 25
Rhode Island's public colleges should have
social help.
percent.
an especially strong interest in the Chil-
It is that non-financial assistance that may
"We really feel that if the program is
dren's Crusade since in an era of a shrinking
prove more significant than the scholar-
successful, we may have made a fundamental
student pool, it may help ensure their fu-
ships, stressed Chester Finn, a professor of
change in certain patterns" that contribute
tures as well.
educational policy at Vanderbilt University
to students' dropping out, said Americo W.
The state is expecting to contribute $3.2
and a former assistant U.S. secretary of edu-
Petrocelli, the state's higher-education com-
million a year, bringing the fund, with inter-
cation for research and improvement.
missioner, who designed the program.
est, to approximately $50 million after 10
"The real obstacle to going to college for a
DiPrete said students who ran into legal
years, Mahoney said. The money would pay
lot of people isn't the money." he said. "It's
problems or became pregnant should be
for scholarships, tutors and administrative
along the way, especially for minority and
given a chance to get back into the program
costs. "If it doesn't work, we'll give everyone
inner city kids. They do badly in school and
if they showed willingness to continue their
their money back," she said.
lose interest in education."
studies.
While the state Board of Governors for
Those students are very difficult to work
If the program is successful, an estimated
Higher Education has the authority to create
with and motivate and "you must not expect
1,200 additional students who complete the
the program, the legislature still must appro-
universal results," Finn stressed.
program each year would attend college.
priate the state's share of the money.
Still, he added, "If they're really proposing
Another 1,200 would go on to other training
DiPrete plans to make a presentation about
to soup up the elementary and secondary
programs.
the new program at the President's Summit
[school] and proposing to give them what
The maximum scholarship would cover
on Education in late September. The gover-
they're missing in their lives, then it is
the estimated $3,436 yearly tuition at the
nor said he would be "knocking on the door
significant."
University of Rhode Island in the year 2000
of the White House" to at least match the
The Associated Press contributed to this
and would increase 5 percent yearly, Petro-
state's contribution.
article.
TIMES: 08-31-89
143
Tool or Exploitation?
Offeted Free
vid Bohrman said. "They (teachers
Beamed via satellite by Whittle
and students] can control It and use
Communications, a media company
what they want. It makes TV a
TV Sends
based in Knoxville, Tenn., "Chan-
useful tool, instead of a passive
nel One" is being offered to schools
device."
free-along with $50,000 worth of
According to Paul Saettler, a Cal
additional enticements, including a
State Sacramento professor who
New Signal
television for every classroom and
has written a book on the history of
two video recorders. Each school
American educational technology,
also receives a satellite dish that
televisions were first foisted on
to Schools
will pipe in the Whittle program.
teachers in the 1950s by the busi-
Schools can keep the equipment for
as long as they show "Channel
ness community. The idea was that
By ELAINE WOO,
102/191
One."
"master teachers" would be shown
The catch is that the schools
giving lessons in their area of
Times Education Writer
have to broadcast all 12 minutes of
expertise, which would reduce the
the program at the same time to
number of teachers and classrooms
Last spring, Gahr High School
most classes-and, to the horror of
needed and allow education to be
Principal Nadine Barreto wit-
many prominent educators, that
delivered more efficiently.
nessed the unimaginable.
Includes two minutes of commer-
Instead of grousing about their
But the attempt fizzled, mainly
teachers, two students who were
cials pitching such products as
because teachers, who were still
waiting in her office to be disci-
Coca Cola, Levi's jeans and Ford.
needed to run the television, were
plined were debating the case of
Shortly after its debut, the pro-
unwilling participants.
John Tower, the embattled De-
gram was banned from public
"Most teachers felt neglected
fense Secretary nominee.
schools by officials in California
because they were forced to stop
As far as Barreto is concerned,
and New York, which had not even
everything they were doing [and]
there is no question about what
articipated in the pilot project.
tune in at a particular time," Saet-
sparked the Cerritos students' ap-
Observing the brouhaha over
ther said. "They felt like assistants.
parently avid interest in the news.
"Channel One," Ted Turner an-
80 they were hostile. There was a
nounced that his Cable News Net-
It was "Channel One," a daily
lot of resistance."
television news program that was
work was plunging into the class-
Most schools have had at least
shown in a seven-week test run
room, too, but with a
one television for years, although
last March at Gahr and five other
commercial-free, 15-minute daily
many use their sets only for special
high schools across the country.
news show called "CNN News-
news events and, occasionally, to
Stories about Tower, the Eastern
room." Three other cable program-
baby-sit classes. Today, observers
Airlines strike and Japanese edu-
mers, Discovery Channel, C-SPAN
say, the majority also have VCRs.
cation, among others, were served
and the Arts & Entertainment
And it is the ubiquity of the VCR,
up by youthful anchors in a 12-
Cable Network, also are offering
they note, that has put teachers
minute video blitzkrieg, embel-
new shows geared for classroom
more in control of, and more apt to
lished with flashy graphics, music
use.
use, the television.
and maps.
Some observers say the new
educational thrust is intended in
Real Revolution'
'A Whole Consclousness'
part to help repair the tarnished
"High school students don't read
image of the cable television indus-
According to the U.S. Congress
Office of Technology Assessment,
newspapers or watch TV news,"
try, which is under fire in Congress
'he video recorder is, after comput-
Barreto said recently. Watching
for allegations that it is an "unreg-
FE, "easily the second-most prev-
"Channel One" gave them "a whole
ulated monopoly."
lent new technology" in schools.
consciousness about another world
Others, however, attribute it to
finety-one percent of schools na-
other than their own."
"the quiet revolution" of the video-
cassette recorder, which has
tionally have VCRs, compared to
At the other test high schools in
36% with computers, a study last
Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee
helped reawaken educators to tele-
rear by the federal technology
and Massachusetts, the enthusiasm
vision's potential as a teaching tool.
assessment office showed.
among local educators was just as
"Televisions and VCRs are com-
Because both "Channel One" and
high. Despite such positive re-
mon audio-visual equipment now,"
views, however, state and national
said Linda Heller, director of edu-
"CNN Newsroom" are broadcast in
education officials, from California
cational services for C-SPAN, a
the middle of the night, teachers
Supt. of Public Instruction Bill
cable channel that began airing
must preset their VCRs to tape the
Honig to the National PTA, were
educational short subjects on gov-
shows, but they can play them back
aghast. They charged that the
ernment affairs last week. "Schools
at their convenience later in the
show was exploiting a captive
are looking for more ways to utilize
day.
teen-age audience for commercial
this equipment."
Said Gary Rowe, vice president
gain.
Earlier this year, ABC News
and marketing director for Turner
"TV is a powerful tool," said
began marketing interactive video
Educational Services: "The VCR
Honig, an advocate of technology
discs that team up computers with
represents a real revolution in the
in schools. "That's why we want to
way the television screen can be
fight this battle now. We want
television to give teachers and
television to be an educational tool.
students access to news clips from
used. The teacher decides when to
not a tool of commercial interests.
its archives. The computer drives
switch it on and how much to play.
Although television has been used
the video disc, which contains an
That is a totally different way of
hour's worth of news stories on
using television. We expect
in schools at all grade levels since
the 1950s, educators still wrest.e
subjects such as the 1988 presiden-
the results to be very different this
with how to use the technology 10
tial election and the civil rights
time than what had been the case
in the past."
the fullest advantage. The advent
movement. A teacher can call up a
of "Channel One" which already
clip of Rosa Parks talking about
Fair-Use Doctrine
has spurred imitators-has stirred
bus boycotts in the South in the
1950s, for instance, for a lesson on
Another change, other program-
old questions about the usefulness
and propriety of the medium as an
civil rights leaders. Or a student
mers say, is an emphasis on making
the programs "teacher friendly" by
educational aid. To many educa-
can use the video disc to compile a
allowing more flexibility in when
tors. teaching with television. as
video term paper.
shows can be used. Under federal
with computers. can help students
The video disc is "much more
fair-use guidelines. schools can
succeed in an increasingly techno-
useful than CNN or 'Channel
tape and show any publicly broad-
logical age, while to others, it is a
One,' ABC News spokesman Da-
cast program once within 10 days
frill that good teachers do not need.
of the original air date, unless the
producer grants an exemption.
Although many teachers are un-
aware of the fair-use doctrine,
those who have knowledge of it say
that it discourages television use.
Teachers need the flexibility to use
WALL ST.J. :08-31-89
190
Academic Protectionism
Stanford University finally man-
only in a place such as Palo Alto.
aged to get rid of W. Glenn Campbell,
The politicized professors maintain
who will begin his forced retirement
the fiction that they are non-partisan.
this evening. In 29 years as director of
They want Hoover off campus. Typi-
the university's Hoover Institution,
cally, Stanford president Donald Ken-
Mr. Campbell made it one the most
nedy and the Stanford Board of Trust-
important research organizations in
ees are more oblique. They merely
the world. It now has a magnificent li-
want to gain control of Hoover and its
brary, a $300 million endowment, and
abundant resources, and they hope to
a staff that includes five Nobel Prize
do so by eventually replacing Mr.
winners as well as notable scholars
Campbell with someone more conge-
such as Thomas Sowell, Robert Con-
nial to what they represent.
quest, Seymour Martin Lipset and
In doing away with Mr. Campbell,
many others.
they claimed they were merely up-
Stanford is purging Mr. Campbell
holding Stanford's mandatory retire-
for two reasons. He is demanding and
ment policy; Mr. Campbell turns 65
sometimes strident, exactly the sort
this year. But apparently this policy
of rough-edged entrepreneur who
applies only to Mr. Campbell. The
doesn't fit into a bureaucracy such as
Board of Trustees recently gave 64-
Stanford's. And Hoover's staff, of
year old Richard Lyman (who, like
course, is more conservative than the
Donald Kennedy, was a member of
Stanford faculty, which isn't saying
the Carter administration) a five-year
much; the first 500 names in any town
contract to head a new international
in America would produce individuals
relations institute at the university.
more conservative than Stanford's
His contract was approved at the
faculty.
same meeting the board forced out
Many of the writings emanating
Mr. Campbell.
from Hoover strongly support free
What is going on here is a form of
markets and strongly oppose commu-
academic protectionism: An ideology
nism, views that would have been re-
that is competing poorly in the real
garded as impolite to press too hard
world is trying to bar its stronger ri-
in most faculty lounges over the past
val. This intolerance in academia
25 years. By bagging Mr. Campbell,
today has forced many conservatives
Stanford hopes to bring Hoover more
to flee to think tanks, such as the Her-
into conformity with community stan-
itage Foundation or the American En-
dards.
terprise Institute. Thus like others be-
Now, there are at Stanford, as at
fore them, if Hoover's freethinkers
any university, good scholars who ac-
are made unwelcome at their own in-
tually believe in and welcome diver-
stitution, they can move to Washing-
sity of thought. But in recent years
ton and possibly have more impact on
Stanford has been overwhelmed by a
policy.
coterie of mediocre academics who
Still, even a Stanford can't com-
don't brook disagreement with their
pletely escape the judgment of the
world view. It's a typical problem in
marketplace. Many of the donors who
academia. Moribund professors win
give money to universities support di-
tenure about age 35. Unable to realize
versity of opinion, and because of its
the satisfactions of being either a good
crabbed radicalism on Hoover and
teacher or an original thinker, they
other issues, Stanford has experienced
spend their parched decades con-
a decline in donor support. Perhaps,
sumed with academic politics. And if
as Glenn Campbell might suggest,
their playpen happens to be a Stan-
these donors are finding more produc-
ford. they tirelessly press the sort of
tive uses for their intellectual and fi-
radical ideology that can make sense
nancial capital.
WASH. TIMES 08-31-89
JEREMIAH O'LEARY
10/122
see by the papers that Zeta Beta
I
Tau has become the first na-
A lesson
tional fraternity to eliminate
the hazing of pledges and cut
off spending on alcohol, and I had a
flashback to 1937 when a classmate
from the
at George Washington University
asked me if I was interested in drop-
ping by the house of the prestigious
Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Greeks
You ought to know that I was then
a 17-year-old Washington native who
worked by day and went to night
quired to move in at the frat house
classes six days a week, the Depres-
for a week. I was issued a baby potty
sion being at its dismal depths. On a
with my name on it and in the potty
salary of $10 a week, I paid $32 a
was an egg, signed and dated by the
semester to GWU, rode streetcars
fraternity leaders. I had to carry this
and buses and had one good blue
potty with me at all times and stave
serge suit.
off every attempt by the brothers to
You could not overstate the gulf
break my egg. I would be thwacked
between the day students, who had
with a Kappa Sigma paddle, I was
cars but no jobs, and the drudges
told, if anyone broke my egg. I de-
and grinds of the night school. We
fended the egg vigorously against all
lived in different worlds. I knew
comers and it was perhaps the only
there were a number of so-called
successful enterprise of my two-
"Greek" fraternities and sororities
year college career.
whose members looked and acted
Another humiliation was that the
like glamorous collegians but I never
other pledges and I had to stand up
dreamed I was fraternity material.
at the evening meal and sing our
I went to the Kappa Sig house,
high school songs from start to fin-
then at 19th and R Streets NW and
ish. My school song, a direct steal
found myself with a number of other
from Cornell and Cayuga's waters,
freshmen in the midst of the process
had outstandingly inane lyrics, and
known as "rushing." This essentially
I grew to hate the song almost as
was a beer party hosted by the broth-
much as the ritual.
ers and adorned by co-eds whose de-
It was during this period that I
sirability increased as the bibulous
noticed that my friend Wilson
night wore on. As the beer-glow bur-
Brown was no longer around. I asked
geoned within me, the more en-
one of the fine-feathered senior frat-
chanted I became at the prospect of
men what had happened to him. He
joining these paragons as an equal in
was no longer a pledge, I was told.
all their bacchanalian festivals.
They had blackballed him for mem-
At a dimly remembered and late
bership because a background
hour, I recall being kissed and
check had revealed his mother was
hugged by the star-quality sorority
Italian and his father was a green-
girls and having a black-and-gold
grocer.
pledge pin attached to my lapel by
Of course, I knew that Jewish stu-
the fraternity big shots. A pledge,
dents had their own fraternities and
you must know, is only a candidate,
sororities at GWU, although nobody
the fraternity equivalent of a recruit
ever told me if this was their choice
at Marine boot camp. Soon enough I
or if Jews were not allowed in ele-
was presented a book of Kappa
gant fraternities like Kappa Sigma.
Sigma history to be memorized and
But I was thunderstruck at what
a list of menial jobs. such as making
the fraternity had done to a young
the beds of the members.
man because of his Mediterranean
During the next few weeks. as
blood and his father's occupation. In
they looked me over for acceptance
a quivering rage, I smashed my egg,
or rejection. I recommended a
threw my potty on the floor and told
friend of mine. another night stu-
Kappa Sigma to take my pin and
dent who was from New Jersey and
stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
whose name was Wilson Brown. He.
I walked out of the fraternity house
too. became a pledge.
and never returned.
I found that I had certain other
Thinking back on this now. I con-
rules to live by: One of these was that
clude that I did learn something
I was required to date only girls who
valuable in college. George Wash-
belonged to Chi Omega sorority.
ington University suspended me be-
They were. I was told. my "sisters."
cause I didn't study much and paid
As a youth with a perpetually roving
more attention to my job and to hav-
eye, I had no interest in dating any
ing fun than to attending class and
sisterly person and quietly broke
doing homework. Kappa Sigma had
this edict repeatedly without detec-
nothing to do with the fact that I
tion.
never received a diploma but every-
Then came "Hell Week." I was re-
thing to do with inadvertently teach-
ing me a far greater lesson.
In fact, I owe the fraternity a lot.
Jeremiah O'Leary is a columnist
It was the first time in my life I ever
for The Washington Times.
acted like a man.
WASH. TIMES: 08-31-89
Agency
to collect
Mr. Cavazos earlier this summer
announced a series of actions aimed
GSL loans
at keeping student loans from de-
faulting. These included procedures
to reduce the level of student loan
defaults at for-profit trade schools
and other post-secondary institu-
By Carol Innerst
you
tions with consistently high rates.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The 100,000 defaulted loans he
The Department of Education is
has directed state agencies to turn
taking over the job of trying to col-
over to the federal government are
lect more than 100,000 aged, de-
worth more than $300 million.
faulted student loans that state guar-
In 1982- 17 years after the Guar-
antee agencies have been unable to
anteed Student Loan Program began
collect, Education Secretary Lauro
- $399 million or 36.5 percent of
F. Cavazos said yesterday.
defaulted loans went uncollected. At
He attributed the move to the fed-
that time, the volume of new loans
eral government's greater success at
coming due was about $11.8 billion.
prying money out of deadbeats. De-
In 1988 the annual volume had
faults are expected to cost taxpayers
jumped to $51.6 billion, with $4.3 bil-
$1.9 billion this year alone.
lion or 61 percent of loans remaining
The Education Department has
uncollected. The department has
had the statutory authority to take
forecast a record $5.8 billion in stu-
over the collection of defaulted loans
dent loan defaults by the end of fis-
from state agencies since 1980.
cal 1989 on Sept. 30.
"It's time to exercise this option,"
Mr. Cavazos said that in the future
Mr. Cavazos said in a prepared state-
he expects to ask state agencies to
ment yesterday. "The sheer volume
turn uncollectible loans over to the
of defaulted loans has become
Department of Education on an an-
greater than the guarantee agencies
nual basis.
can handle."
According to a recent study by
"This is the first time the depart-
Advanced Technology Inc. of fed-
ment has had aged loans assigned to
eral collections productivity, the De-
us permanently by the state agen-
partment of Education generally
cies," said Thomas J. Pestka, the de-
has higher collection rates on de-
partment's director of the division of
faulted loans than state agencies.
credit management and debt collec-
The department has various col-
tion.
lection methods available, includ-
What they can't collect after try-
ing:
ing for a number of years will have
Withholding tax refunds by the
to be written off, he said.
Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Pestka would not estimate
how successful this effort will be,
Garnisheeing paychecks of de-
but said past federal attempts to col-
faulters who are federal employees.
lect defaulted loans have returned
Using IRS referrals to locate
more than $1 billion to government
debtors where state guarantee agen-
coffers.
cies have been unsuccessful.
While the Education Department
Reporting defaulters for a pe-
had the authority to take over old
riod of seven years to all major
loans from state agencies for nine
credit bureaus. thereby preventing
years. "this is the first time we ve
defaulters from obtaining additional
had the computer program that al-
commercial credit.
lows us to collect efficiently." he said.
Using private collection agen-
explaining the delay.
cies
failure, especially for children from single-
pectations for the all
For Reforms to Hold, Focus on the Child
parent families, according to a recent
children, instructional programs that ac-
national study. That study also notes that
commodate residentially mobile doudents
poor students are three times more likely
as well as students who aren't. It alsordalls
than others to become dropouts.
for systems of education and humaneser.
-By gilbert C. HENTSCHKE
thing positive will happen for the child in
how? What reforms in the curriculum will
enhance learning? What technology? How
These children who are failing swell the
vices that reach beyond the class. bifocus
and LYDIA LOPEZ
the classroom as a result of their imple-
will we know if the child is succeeding?
ranks of functionally illiterate adults (now
on the whole child places high priority on
mentation. But it is not at all clear that
estimated to be 20% of the population in
supervised after-school education
After several years of education reforms,
these or other reforms, taken individually
Most important, what and how much more
Los Angeles County). They enter the
tivities, and on affordable child care
more evident than ever that our Los
or together, will significantly improve the
is each child learning?
The 2000 Partnership, a group ft civic
Angeles public schools are failing. The
academic performance of our children. A
To get a satisfactory answer to this last
economy at the bottom where they are
losers are our children and ultimately our
question, we need a new child-centered
likely to stay. That fact is a partial
and business leaders who have been, study-
longer school day hasn't resulted in higher
test scores. More money for teachers and
explanation for the widening gap between
ing and proposing plans for how to meet
approach to education that focuses on all of
entire community.
The symptoms of this failure have been
administrators without accountability for
the child's needs and connects human
rich and poor in an economy that demands
Los Angeles' quality-of-life cháll ges,
performance does not ensure more effec-
services to curriculum reform, teaching
that workers possess more skills than ever
intends to follow this line of inquiry and to
well-documented 39% of Los Angeles
tive teaching. Choice is not the optimal
before if they hope to advance.
build a broad base of community support
students do not graduate from high school,
methods and organizational change.
Approximately 600,000 children attend
A focus on the whole child prompts
for change. We believe that single shot
and current test scores indicate that many
solution for communities where the alter-
grades K-12 in the Los Angeles Unified
consideration of solutions that involve
approaches at reform will fail. We must
who do graduate are ill-prepared for the
natives are all below par and for parents
School District. Approximately 80% are
increased investment in the child's early
surround out children with incentives to
high-tech, high-skill jobs that will be
who lack the time or interest to involve
ethnic minorities. One-quarter of the dis-
development: prenatal care and better
stay in school and support program that
prevalent in our 21st-Century economy.
themselves in their children's education.
Education reformers propose a range of
In the complex debate over structural
trict's children are classified "at risk"
nutrition for expectant mothers in need;
produce skilled workers and good milens.
and curriculum reform, it's easy to lose the
and prekindergarten programs like Head
If we want to remain a compolMive
solutions. Some of these have been put in
because they lack proficiency in English.
place a longer school day: a larger educa-
central focusi the child. It is easy to ask If
Start. Children who are better prepared
economy and a caring society. weiquen ill
Speaking many languages and possessing a
afford to lose these children.
100
tien budget, greater teacher participation
the schools are "ready" for our children,
wide range of literacy skills, these children
when they enter school perform better
in the management of schools. Others are
but it is also reasonable to ask, "Are our
learn in classes that are among the most
once there. A focus on the "whole" child
1603
children ready for school?" What is their
prompts consideration of classroom chang-
Gilbert C. Hentschke, dean of the school of
proposed: greater choice for parents in
overcrowded in the nation. About 60% of
which school their children attend, and
readiness when they enter kindergarten?
the district's children come from impover-
es in curriculum content and teaching
education at USC, and Lydia Lopez,are
breaking up the district into smaller units.
Why aren't the bottom 50% learning?
ished families. While some poor children do
methods. It requires introduction of new
co-chairpersons of the Education Working
All these reforms presume that some-
When should the community intervene and
succeed, poverty is closely correlated with
learning tools like computers, higher ex-
Group of the 2000 Partnership
Illinois School to Extend Drug Tests to All Interscholastic Activities
70p/r26p
By DIRK JOHNSON
Special to The New York Times
The plan has
the other hand, is a privilege, not a
prevention, we've been out in front of
right. And it can be taken away."
the pack before," said Donald Kreger,
HOMEWOOD, III., Aug. 28 - The
The plan has met with overwhelming
a member of the school board. "And
school board here has endorsed a plan
wide support
support from parents here.
here we are again."
to test students for drugs in all inter-
'When kids face peer pressure to use
Homewood's decision to test for
scholastic activities, from the march-
ing band to the math team.
from parents.
drugs, this would give them an out,"
drugs was approved by the Board of
said Erica Hanson, president of the
Education by a vote of 5 to 1. Under its
The board has not yet worked out the
Homewood-Flossmoor Parents Associ-
bylaws, the board must vote a second
details of how it would conduct the
is largely uncharted. Indeed, decisions
ation. "A kid could say, 'Look, I want to
time on the matter before deciding how
tests, which it estimates would be given
in two similar cases that have reached
be on the football team, or the debate
to put the plan into effect. A second
to more than 1,500 of the 2,100 students
the Federal courts have yielded contra-
team, so I can't risk it.'
vote is scheduled for Tuesday.
at Homewood-Flossmoor High School
in this suburb south of Chicago.
dictory results.
Moreover, she said, the tests will
Privacy and Cost Factors
A Federal court in Texas ruled
give school officials hard evidence to
"It's a sad state of affairs when we
earlier this month that drug tests of
confront parents of drug abusers.
Katherine Cerone, the lone dissenter
have to consider this at a high school,"
students in all interscholastic activities
"Denial is not just a problem with
on the board, said she opposed the plan
said Ed Rachford, the superintendent
kids who use drugs and alcohol," Mrs.
because of her concerns over privacy
of schools. "But drugs are such a prob-
at East Chambers High School and
Hanson said. "It's a big problem with
and because of the cost of the tests.
lem in society, and in our school, that
Junior High School were an unconstitu-
The basic screening test costs about
tional invasion of privacy. But last
the parents, too."
we feel we have to do everything we
$35, school officials said. But a test that
can to fight it."
December a Federal court in Chicago
Praise for Drug Programs
would be admissible in court would
The American Civil Liberties Union
upheld the right of a school district in
Homewood-Flossmoor has a reputa-
cost about $75. Tests that would deter-
of Illinois has notified the Homewood-
Lafayette, Ind., to require athletes to
tion as one of the top high schools in the
mine the presence of steroids would
Flossmoor school authorities that it
submit to tests for drugs.
Chicago area, both academically and
cost as much as $200.
will probably challenge such tests.
The decision in Homewood was
athletically. And its programs on drug
"Who's going to pay for this?" asked
prompted by a request from the foot-
prevention and education have won
Uncharted Legal Landscape
Mrs. Cerone. "We recently won a hard-
ball coach to test athletes he suspected
praise around the country.
fought tax increase. Are we going to
"This kind of testing really opens the
were using drugs. Rather than limit the
The school has a full-time drug pro-
spend it all on drug tests? And what if it
floodgates into matters that should be
tests to athletes, the school board de-
gram coordinator, as well as a team of
goes to court? I certainly don't want
private," said Jay A. Miller, executive
cided to cast as wide a net as possible.
teachers charged with the specific re-
taxpayers' dollars being used for law-
director of the A.C.L.U. here. "Where
Privileges 'Can Be Taken Away'
sponsibility to intervene when a stu-
yers' fees."
does it stop? What if the school wants
"Students are legally required to at-
dent appears to be using drugs or alco-
But Mrs. Cerone acknowledged that
to find out if a student is on birth con-
tend school," said Dr. Rachford, the
hol. The school also sponsors weekend
her stand was unpopular in the com
trol?"
The legal landscape for such testing
Homewood superintendent. "Partici-
retreats for students willing to talk
munity. She said one unhappy parent
pating in extracurricular activites, on
about drug problems.
sent her a letter accusing her of being
"When it comes to alcohol and drug
un-American.
CHRIS.SCI.MON. :08-29-89
PUBLIC EDUCATION
US Is Facing a Teacher Shortage
Better pay, more say in decisions, and recognition are 'carrots' being offered by school systems
ported recent proposals is an ef-
to certification for these late
improved. Salaries for beginning
teachers have increased over the
fort nurtured by the Carnegie Fo-
bloomers.
By Lucia Mouat
last few years to an average of
rum on Education and the Econ-
Shortages do not necessarily
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
$19,548 last year. "That's taken
omy to develop the first national
mean teacherless classes. An NEA
some of the edge off ]the task] of
system for certifying teachers.
survey a few years ago of the na-
BOSTON
finding new teachers," says How-
This recognition of top per-
tion's largest school districts found
oT enough students -
ard Nelson, a research specialist
formers or master teachers, who
that school systems in need did ev-
N
particularly in math and
with the American Federation of
may serve as catalysts for other
erything from dropping courses
the sciences - are choos-
Teachers (AFT). The average pub-
school structuring changes, is a
to raising class size. "They were
ing public school teaching as a ca-
lic school teacher in the US last
voluntary add-on to required state
very creative in covering up the
year earned $29,629.
licensing. It would likely bring ex-
problem without admitting there
reer.
Enrollments in college schools
A stronger voice for teachers
tra pay and serve to inspire other
in school decisionmaking.
teachers and boost the profes-
of education have been increasing
over the last five years, and some
Forty states have drafted regu-
sion's general image.
Less than 50 percent 'of
retirees in other fields are now
lations to allow more school-based
Those with a college degree
elementary school teach-
turning to teaching as a second ca-
management in everything from
and three years' teaching expéri-
reer. But gains are unlikely to
curriculum development and
ence could begin to seek the acco-
ers really understand the
meet coming needs. It is widely es-
textbook choice to class size and
lade in 1993. Although details are
science they teach.'
timated that as many as half of the
staffing. Noting that teachers are
yet to be worked out, candidates
- Albert Shanker
nation's 2.5 million teachers may
tired of being treated "like very
would be judged on teaching ef-
retire or shift jobs over the next
tall children," savs Mary Futrell,
fectiveness and probably would be
few vears.
outgoing president of the Nation-
required to pass a written exam.
That teachers themselves are
al Education Association (NEA).
The process is widely expected
was one." savs Ms. Futrell.
among the sharpest critics of the
the shift should improve both
to force changes in the content of
"The issue is not so much num-
public schools does not help. "I
teacher morale and the quality of
college courses for education ma-
bers; it's getting the best people
don't know of one teacher who is
education. "Research shows that
jors. Mr. Imig agrees that colleges
possible," savs Thomas Shannon,
encouraging his or her own chil-
the best schools are those where
will want to claim that a high per-
executive director of the National
ROBERT
HARBISON
STAFF
centage of their students are na-
Association of School Boards. "We
tionally certified; but he contends
need to do as much as we can to
the bulk of the effort will fall much
build a climate within the profes-
more strongly on the post-college
sion so that bright, able roung
period of in-service training. "The
people will say, 'I want to be a
candidates first priority in that
teacher.'
three vears is likely to be getting
To hit that quality issue head
ready for the exam." he insists.
on. many sav the teaching of
President Bush's proposals to
teachers must be improved from
add dollars to the government's
the elementarv-school level on up.
annual verbal recognition of edu-
"If you ask what percentige of
cational merit would largely re-
elementary school teachers really
ward schools and individual
understand the science the teach.
teachers. Both teachers unions
the answer would be unuer 50
have traditionally opposed ment
percent." the AFT's Shanker savs.
pay for individuals. on the
The entry standard for in
grounds that the selection process
most countries requires wing
IS likely to be subjective.
science and math and the in to
AFT president Albert Shanker
write well. It's not true to: Emeri-
proposes a competition among
can colleges. and there's to
schools over a five-vear rather
catch up quickly."
than 1 one-vear period and the
Better guidance in - stu-
awarding of $15,000 prizes to
dent years also necessary
each reacher in the top 10 percent
minority students are
of ill schools "The whole school
ruited to teaching The
wins." Mr Shanker alls The
minority reachers has
sellse of reunnwork would he
clining at the ven name
strengthenen rather That your
black me Hispanic stude
enec. that he
lation
would not have posed .n
olleve scholarships
award system at
Tax
age. ДОМ poora
em.
those
are
made
Jose
to
the
school reform farms and threats
who are an of the n.:
vid Imig. eNequitive prector the schools.
she
be states and there who say the
cause the were
saws
American Associati n of Colleges
Recent contracts between AFT
could do the job better were the
to take algebra and the
track courses.
for Teacher Education
arfiliates and school boards in
prod.
Increased Govence and drug
Dade County. Fla.. and Rochester.
The expected teacher shortage
"There got to increase the
lise among students and stepped-
N.Y., spell out several such deci-
has prompted a number of other
college-going rate." ins.s. Bar-
up public greater ac-
sionmaking rights for teachers in
moves. Some states are trying to
bara Holmes. who is directing
we
admittedly
the process of sealing down
make It easter for teachers to stay
study on minority teacher
countabilit
made the ob of
significant salary increases. Both
in teaching " arranging pension
and demand in five states
teaching far tougher
systems have charted dearer ca-
packages that can be moved from
Education Commissio
reer paths for reachers Newh
state to state. Efforts to recruit
States.
Even event. strong cur-
rents of name .: under was
hired teachers will staff :- interns
teachers from the growing ranks
Talking about the
that court Make positive differ-
working their will up under the
of early retirees in other fields
shortage considered
ence in recruiting and holding
guidance of more experienced
have also increased. Most new
best ways of warding
good reachers
and better paid veterans
teachers in urban systems are now
need to people kno
Higher salaries.
More recognition of jobs well
people who have chosen tea hing
need for teachers. NEA
While still tal mom what most
done.
as second career. Almost half the
Futrell insists. Many
reachers :ee! the deserve pay has
One of the most widely sup-
states now otter a shortened route
arent aware of the
TIMES :08-28-89
The Teacher Corps, Reborn 70 70/195
The expected loss of a million teachers from the
where there are geographic or subject-matter
nation's classrooms in the next five years has
shortages, particularly in school districts with large
prompted Washington and New York City to revive
numbers of disadvantaged children. Those who
a useful idea from the 1960's: the Teacher Corps.
volunteered for such assignments would reduce
President Lyndon Johnson promoted a domes-
their teaching obligation by one year.
tic education version of the Peace Corps called the
New York's Mayor, Edward Koch, seeking re-
National Teacher Corps. Students from across the
election in a city where troubled schools are a criti-
country agreed to teach low-income students in
cal issue, recently offered a similar proposal. He
inner-city and rural schools in exchange for sti-
would recruit 200 college juniors each year for a
pends and tuition payments.
program that included 200 hours of apprentice
The National Teacher Corps survived until
teaching, training by the Board of Education and
1981, when it was folded into an educational block
support and guidance from mentor teachers.
grant as part of an effort to trim the Federal budg-
In exchange for tuition reimbursements of up to
et. Some states have retained a version of the idea,
$10,000, each New York Teacher Corps member
but the national commitment faded.
would be expected to teach for four years, either in
Yet it was always a good idea, and now interest
understaffed subjects, like science or math, or in
in it-has revived. Next month, Senator Edward Ken-
understaffed schools.
nedy of Massachusetts will introduce legislation to
By themselves, these programs will not solve
establish a new teacher corps. He would offer schol-
the teacher shortage. But the need for qualified,
arships - perhaps of as much as $8,000 a year for
committed instructors to teach low-income stu-
two years - in exchange for five years of teaching.
dents is as great now as in the 1960's. The teacher
States would be encouraged to place teachers
corps remains an excellent idea.
WASH.POST:08-28-89
192/30
HONORARIA SCORECARD: THE MISSING MEMBERS
ozens of members of Congress have refused to disclose their 1989 honoraria to
The Washington Post's Honoraria Scorecard, which has been appearing in this
$
$
space regularly in recent months. During the congressional recess, the honoraria those
members earned in 1988 for speeches, appearances and articles are being published
here. Although most members of the House and Senate have volunteered information
to The Post about their 1989 honoraria, they are not required to disclose this year's
honoraria until May.
REP. JOHN EDWARD PORTER (R-III.):
$500 from Southwestern Bell Co., April 29; $500 from Rand
$1,000 from National Society of Professional Engineers,
Food Fair, May 1; $2,000 from Arkansas Poultry Federation,
April 6; $2,000 from American Diabetes Association Inc.,
June 11; $500 from Federal Express, June 16; $1,000 from
April 19; $1,000 from Council of Engineering and Scientific
National Restaurant Association, June 18; $1,000 from
Society Executives, May 2; $1,000 from Arthritis
Tyson Foods, June 20; $2,000 from AA Guage, June 21;
Foundation, May 19; $500 from Illinois Society of
$500 from Arkansas Pharmacists, June 24; $1,000 from
Professional Engineers, May 24; $2,000 from American
Lockheed Systems, July 20; $2,000 from AMI, Sept. 29;
Society of Association Executives, June 9; $2,000 from
$500 from Arkansas Electric Co-op, Nov. 7; $2,000 from
American Association of Clinical Urologists Inc., June 15;
George's Inc., Nov. 16; $1,000 from Highland Corp., Dec.
$2,000 from Illinois Bell Telephone Co., Aug. 2; $2,000
21; $1,000 from Arkansas Reclamation Co., Dec. 21.
from Association of Sikh Professionals, Sept. 8; $2,000 from
TOTAL: $20,600
Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Nov. 10.
TOTAL: $15,500
REP. TOBY ROTH (R-Wis.):
REP. NICK JOE RAHALL II (D-W.Va.):
$2,000 from National Association of Homebuilders, Jan. 19;
$250 from Edison Electric Institute, Feb. 18; $200 from
$2,000 from Waste Management, Jan. 11; $2,000 from
Conservative Digest, Feb. 20; $2,000 from Association of
Tobacco Institute, Jan. 12; $1,000 from Lamar Corp., Jan.
Bank Holding Cos., March 14, $1,000 from Hopkins &
13; $1,000 from Association of Oil Pipelines, Jan. 21;
Sutter, March 21; $500 from Chicago Board of Trade,
$1,000 from United Holy Fund, Jan. 27; $2,000 from
March 21; $500 from Chicago Mercantile Exchange, March
Eastern Central Motor Carriers, Feb. 18; $2,000 from
24; $1,000 from Wisconsin Credit Union League, April 26;
National Motor Freight, Feb. 23; $500 from American
$1,500 from Shawmut Bank, May 3; $1,000 from Textron,
Lebanese Club of Stark County, Ohio, March 9; $250 from
May 3; $1,500 from First National Bank of Boston, May 4;
National Wildlife Federation, April 4; $2,000 from Ashland
$2,000 from BATUS Inc., May 8; $1,000 from Associated
Oil, April 8; $250 from National Wildlife Federation, April
Credit Bureaus Inc., May 10; $250 from International
21; $1,000 from National Association of Arab Americans,
Insurance Council, May 14; $1,000 from Computer &
May 31; $1,000 from Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp.,
Communications Industry Association, June 4; $1,000 from
June 8; $1,000 from National Association of Broadcasters,
Grocery Manufacturers of America, June 4; $1,500 from
Oct. 5; $1,000 from American Arab Affairs Council, Oct. 17;
Bank Capital Markets Association, June 9; $150 from
$1,500 from American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute,
Second Opinion Publications, July 28; $1,000 from First
Oct. 20; $1,000 from Eastern Professional River Outfitters,
Bank National Association, Dec. 28; $2,000 from Foley &
Nov. 16; $2,000 from Eastern Central Motor Carriers, Dec.
Lardner, Dec. 28.
5; $1,000 from American Arab Affairs Council, Dec. 7; $600
TOTAL: $21,350
from WTNJ Radio Station, Dec. 9.
TOTAL: $24,100
REP. E. CLAY SHAW JR. (R-Fla.):
REP. MATTHEW J. RINALDO (R-N.J.):
$1,000 from American Trucking Association Inc.; $2,000
from National Structured Settlements Trade Association;
$2,000 from Securities Industry Association Inc., Jan. 4;
$1,000 from National Restaurant Association; $1,000 from
$1,000 from The Tobacco Institute, Jan. 5; $1,000 from
Armco Inc.; $2,000 from Cigar Association of America.
Competitive Telecommunications Association, Jan. 7; $2,000
(Dates were omitted from Shaw's list of honoraria.)
from Public Securities Association Inc., Jan. 11; $1,500
TOTAL: $7,000
from Television & Radio PAC, Jan. 25; $1,000 from U.S.
Telephone Association, Jan. 28; $1,000 from Drexel
REP. NORMAN D. SHUMWAY (R-Calif.):
Burnham Lambert, Feb. 8; $2,000 from AT&T, Feb. 10;
$2,000 from Rutgers University, Feb. 12; $500 from
$1,000 from National Council of Savings Institutions, March
Coalition for Regional Banking & Economic Development,
17; $1,500 from Bank Capitol Markets Association, March
Feb. 24; $500 from T. Boone Pickens United Shareholders
18; $50 from University of the Pacific Young Republicans,
Association, Feb. 25; $500 from T. Boone Pickens USA
April 6; $500 from U.S. English, April 16; $1,000 from
Foundation for Research and Education, Feb. 25; $2,000
California Bankers Association, May 5; $1,500 from
from Motion Picture Association of America, Feb. 29;
Assembly of Turkish Associations, May 20; $2,000 from The
$1,000 from Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Feb. 29; $250
American Council of State Savings Supervisors, May 23;
from Independent Lubricant Manufacturing Association,
$2,000 from Wells Fargo Bank, June 6; $2,000 from
March 4; $2,000 from New Jersey Bell, March 7; $1,000
American Bankers Association, June 25; $2,000 from
from T. Boone Pickens, USA Foundation for Research and
Consumer Bankers Association, Sept. 26.
Education, March 11; $1,000 from Southwestern Bell Corp.,
TOTAL: $13,550
March 16; $1,000 from Television & Radio PAC, March 16;
$1,000 from Chicago Board Options Exchange, March 25;
REP. BUD SHUSTER (R-Pa.):
$2,000 Financial Management Division SIA, March 27;
$2,000 from American Bus Association, Jan. 7; $2,000 from
$2,000 from AT&T, April 13; $1,000 from Chicago Board of
Associated General Contractors, Jan. 12; $1,500 from Air
Trade, April 15; $2,000 from Connell Rice & Sugar Co. Inc.,
Transport Association, Jan. 26; $2,000 from Regular
April 15; $2,000 from Akin, Gump. Strauss, Hauer & Feld,
Common Carriers, Feb. 2; $2,000 from Ackerly
April 19; $1.500 from National Association of Broadcasters,
Communications, Feb. 23; $1,000 from Railway Progress
April 23; $1,000 from Pfizer Inc., May 6; $1,500 from
Institute, March 1: $1,000 from American Public Transit
National Cable Television Association, May 20: $1,000 from
Association, March 6; $2,000 from American Public Transit
Association of Independent Television Stations, June 23.
Association, March 14; $2,000 from Safe Building Alliance,
TOTAL: $38,250
March 17; $2,000 from Associated General Contractors,
March 22; $1,000 from American Trucking Association, April
REP. TOMMY F. ROBINSON (D-Ark.):
13; $2,000 from Gannett Co., April 19; $2,000 from
$600 from Jacksonville Doctors Group, Jan. 26: $1.000
Amalgamated Transit Union, April 22; $1,000 from National
from National Restaurant Association, March 3: $500 from
Motor Freight Association, May 4; $1,000 from American
Food Service and Lodging Institute, March 16; $1,000 from
Movers, May 18: $1,350 from National Limestone
Tobacco Institute, April 12; $2,000 from Alitel Co., April 20;
Association, June 14.
TOTAL: $25,850
08-28-89
Nat Hentoff
In Iowa, Free Speech for Students
In January 1988, Byron White-writ-
school students were protected by the
Amendment rights unless student ext:
ing for a majority of the Supreme
First Amendment.
pression disturbs school operations. Alti
Court-in Hazelwood School District &
Since Hazelwood, while many prin-
so-and this became part of the Tinkg
Kuhlmeier-gave public school princi-
cipals have been using the 1988 decision
guidelines through the years-students
pals virtually unlimited power to censor
like a club, the message is getting
may not print "obscene, libelous or slan-
student expression, including newspa-
around the country that individual school
derous material." Otherwise, in Iowa,
pers. One of the dissenting justices told
"there shall be no prior restraint."
me he was concerned that an accurate
This law, though not without limits, is
account of the decision go out to the
SWEET LAND
far less authoritarian than Justice
country.
OF LIBERTY
White's ruling in Hazelwood that prin-
"The decision," he said, "tells prin-
cipals can, cut out of a student paper,
cipals they can exercise this standard of
play or speech anything inconsistent
censorship, but it doesn't say they have
districts and whole states can indeed
with the school's "basic educational miss
to. They can still use the Tinker stan-
dard if they prefer." Tinker refers to a
respectfully decline to follow Hazelwood
sion." (The latter to be defined at will we
and stay with Tinker instead.
the principal.)
gn
case involving teenagers Mary Beth and
John Tinker, who were among those
Appropriately, in view of the historic
Much of the credit for restoring then
bringing suit against the Des Moines
site of the Tinker free-expression case,
Tinker spirit to Iowa is due the bill's
Independent School District in the
the Iowa legislature has passed-and
principal sponsor, state Sen. Richardh
1960s for suspending them because
Gov. Terry Branstad has signed-legis-
Varn, as well as, among others, the lowan
they had worn black armbands to school
lation rescuing the students of that state
Civil Liberties Union and the Iowa High
to protest the Vietnam War.
from the strictures of Hazelwood.
School Press Association (a group of high
In 1969, a kinder, gentler Supreme
The new Iowa law, which took effect
school student journalists and teachers).
Court, in an opinion by Abe Fortas,
on July 1, applies the Fortas principle
According to Mark Goodman of the niv
ruled that the Tinkers and other public
that public school students have First
Washington-based Student Press Law
Center, there was little coverage by lowe
dailies of the legislation's odyssey, and No"
editorials in favor of the bill.
The indifference of much of the adults
press to the idea of student First Amend
ment rights is hardly limited to lowa.
Newspapers, worried that fewer of the
young read them, keep trying to figure,
out what to print that might attract these
long-range consumers. Maybe news about
First Amendment wars in student news
rooms might help.
As for why the Iowa law passed, Mark"
Lambert, legislative coordinator of the
Iowa Civil Liberties Union-and the key!!
professional lobbyist working for the
bill-believes that "it's due, in no small
part, to the fact that the Iowa legislature
is filled with 'baby boomers,' many of
whom were students in Iowa while the
Tinkercase was being litigated."
What may make the Iowa statute
attractive to other state legislatures-at
least five more are considering bills
discarding Hazelwood-is a clause free-
ing school officials or other employees
from any liability "for any student ex-
pression made or published by stu-
dents." But if school personnel have
"interferred with or altered the content
of the student expression, they are not
free of liability.
OHI
So, if a principal wants to be a censor,'
he may have to pay some dues.
Now that the First Amendment has u
been largely restored to Iowa student
journalists, Varn makes the reasonable.
point, in the spirit of Abe Fortas, that
"students can't learn about fundamental;
rights and freedoms unless they are
allowed to use those rights."
By contrast, under Justice White's
educational philosophy-as Boston",
Globe cartoonist Dan Wasserman had a
student say in his strip right after Hazel
wood came down-"according to the Suno
preme Court,[the First Amendment}-
guarantees freedom of speech and their
press, except in real special cases like;
schools, where it could interfere with kids :
learning to be good citizens."
Educating inner-city boys: All-male classes can help
70/122
primary education of inner-city boys was stopped by
By Spencer Holland
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after
an anonymous complaint that the program
C.TRIBUNE:08-28-89
An epidemic of academic failure is overwhelming
discriminated against girls. The complaint and the
black, inner-city male students. A staggering number
eeoc action were misguided. For little girls, academic
drop out of school. Many who do graduate are barely
success does not appear to be predicated on the gender
literate and destined for economic failure. For the sake
of the teacher the way it is for little boys, particularly
of these young men, and for society as a whole, we
boys being raised in single-parent, female headed
need immediate and radical actions. We should begin
households.
by creating experimental classes of all boys, taught by
In the fall of 1988, I helped start PROJECT 2000, a
male teachers, from kindergarten through 3d grade.
program to give inner-city boys at an elementary
The most common reasons cited for the academic
school in the District of Columbia positive male role
and social failings of young black males are that such
models in the classroom. Of the 37 members on the
boys come from poor, single-parent, female-headed
staff of the PROJECT 2000 school, only the principal
households, that they have no positive male role
and four of the teachers are male. All but a few of the
models and that they view the educational setting as
47 boys in the 93-student 1st grade class come from
feminine and not relevant to their daily lives.
single-parent, female-headed households.
Under the auspices of a community service
To override these aspects of the cultural
organization, the local chapter of Concerned Black
environment outside the classroom, we must develop
Men Inc., male volunteers from the corporate world
new, creative models inside the school. At present, the
and Howard University were recruited and trained to
carly elementary school environment may appear no
serve as teaching assistants to the four 1st grade
different to the young black male than his preschool
teachers in the school. In addition to providing
and outside school surroundings.
classroom assistance, volunteers financed and
The principals, assistant principals, teachers and
accompainied the children on field trips.
counselors are frequently all female. Most boys do not
The response of the children, faculty, staff and
have male teachers until the later elementary grades or
volunteers to this pilot year effort has been excellent.
junior high school, and for inner-city boys this is
At the beginning, the teachers and principal targeted
much, much too late. No matter how nurturing, loving
for special attention several boys who were having
and kind women may be, they just do not constitute
academic and/or behavioral difficulty. All of these boys
appropriate role models for these boys because the
have made an incredible turnaround.
behavior associated with them is always viewed as
Concerned Black Men Inc. is committed to
feminine.
following the ( lass of 2000 until it graduates from
For minority males, creating all-male kindergarten
high school and to seek funding to ensure these
through 3d-grade classes taught by male teachers
leanor Mill/Mill News Art Syndicate
children get the post secondary training of their choice.
would provide consistent, positive and literate black
If the black male is to be removed from the
role models in the classroom. It also would help
such an approach. In 1987, the Dade County (Fla.)
"endangered species" list, educational reform in urban
overcome many of the negative attitudes toward
public schools created an all-male kindergarten class
school systems must be radical and focused on the
education as an unmasculine activity that now hamper
taught by a black male teacher, and an all male 1st
educational needs of black boys during the primary
academic achievement.
grade class taught by a white male teacher. Parents
years. School districts should seek out community
Only one school system that I am aware of has tried
volunteered their children for participation in this
organizations that can provide positive male role
program. The results were impressive. On all academic
models for inner city boys. Programs such as the one
Spencer Holland is an educational psychologist in
and behavioral measures assessed, the boys in these
attempted in Miami must be given time to prove
the division of curriculum and educational technology
two classes outperformed their male peers in a control
themselves, and bureaucratic barriers crected by the
of the District of Columbia public schools. A longer
group that had remained in traditional, coeducational,
EEOC or other agencies in the name of equality must
version of this article appears in the September issue
female-headed classes.
be fought with the fervor that accompanied the civil
of Teacher magazine.
Unfortunatcly, this innovative approach to the
rights movement of the 1960s.
MarKD
09/08/89 10:41:03
SPEECHWRITING AND RESEARCH OFFICES
Page:
1
DAILY PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH SCHEDULE
EVENT/LOCATION
DATE
PROJ. OFFICER
WRITER/RESEARCH
C.W. DRAFT
STAFFING
TO POTUS
Treasury Depart. 200th Anniv.
09/11/89
McGroarty
09/05/89
09/07/89
09/08/89
Monday
Dooley
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Treasury Building 2pm
Vocational Education Event
09/11/89
S.Siv
Grant
09/05/89
09/06/89
09/07/89
Monday
Simon
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Rose Garden 11 AM
Republican Hispanic Dinner
09/12/89
McGroarty
09/05/89
09/07/89
09/08/89
Tuesday
Dooley
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Schools Speech 12:15 12:15pm
09/12/89
Lange
09/05/89
09/07/89
09/08/89
Tuesday
TBD
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Smith
D.A.R.E. Event
09/13/89
Davis
09/06/89
09/08/89
09/11/89
10am
Wednesday
Martin
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
Blessey
Presidential S.E.S. Awards
09/14/89
D. Bates
McNally
09/07/89
09/11/89
09/12/89
Thursday
Simon
Thursday
Monday
Tuesday
Constitution Hall 2pm
Video Session
09/14/89
Tron
09/07/89
09/11/89
09/12/89
United Way Video
Thursday
Thursday
Monday
Tuesday
A. Sioux Falls Centennial
09/18/89
McNally
09/11/89
09/13/89
09/14/89
Monday
Simon
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
B. Montana Centennial
09/18/89
McGroarty
09/11/89
09/13/89
09/14/89
Monday
Dooley
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
9/08/89 10:41:07
SPEECHWRITING AND RESEARCH OFFICES
Page: 2
DAILY PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH SCHEDULE
EVENT/LOCATION
DATE
PROJ. OFFICER
WRITER/RESEARCH
C.W. DRAFT
STAFFING
TO POTUS
Spokane Washington
09/19/89
Lange
09/12/89
09/14/89
09/15/89
Tuesday
Dooley
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Young America Medals
09/21/89
Davis
09/14/89
09/18/89
09/19/89
Thursday
Martin
Rose Garden 11:30am
Thursday
Monday
Tuesday
200th Anniv. Attorney General
09/22/89
McNally
09/11/89
09/13/89
09/14/89
Friday
Simon
Department of Justice 9AM
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Courter Fundraiser
09/22/89
Smith
09/15/89
09/18/89
09/20/89
Friday
Blessey
Friday
Monday
Wednesday
New Jersey
Red Mass Luncheon
09/23/89
Grant
09/15/89
09/18/89
09/20/89
Saturday
Martin
Friday
Boston, Mass. 12:30pm
Monday
Wednesday
U.N. General Assembly
09/25/89
McGroarty
09/06/89
09/18/89
09/20/89
Monday
Dooley
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
New York City
Amer. Film Institute
09/26/89
Studdert/Demare Smith
09/19/89
09/21/89
09/22/89
Tuesday
Blessey
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Pension Building
Governors Educational Summit
09/27/89
Davis
09/20/89
09/21/89
09/22/89
Wednesday
Martin
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Charlottesville, Virginia
09/08/89 10:41:10
SPEECHWRITING AND RESEARCH OFFICES
Page: 3
DAILY PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH SCHEDULE
EVENT/LOCATION
DATE
PROJ. OFFICER
WRITER/RESEARCH
C.W. DRAFT
STAFFING
TO POTUS
World Bank/Intern. Monetary
09/27/89
D. Bates
McNally
09/20/89
09/22/89
09/25/89
Fund Annual Meeting
Wednesday
Simon
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
Sheraton Washington Hotel
Retirement Adm. Crowe
09/29/89
McGroarty
09/22/89
09/25/89
09/26/89
Friday
Dooley
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
Midland Community Award
10/00/89
TBD
TBD
TBD
NRSC Inner Circle Gala
10/02/89
Andy Card
09/25/89
09/27/89
09/28/89
Monday
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Union Station
Salinas State Dinner
10/03/89
B. Scowcroft
Smith
09/26/89
09/28/89
09/29/89
Tuesday
Blessey
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Coleman Fundraiser
10/04/89
Smith
09/27/89
09/29/89
10/02/89
Wednesday
Blessey
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
N. Virginia
Cossiga State Visit
10/11/89
McGroarty
10/04/89
10/06/89
10/09/89
Wednesday
Dooley
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
Italian Society Dinner
10/14/89
McGroarty
10/06/89
10/10/89
10/11/89
Saturday
Dooley
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
RGA President's Dinner
10/17/89
A.Card
10/10/89
10/12/89
10/13/89
Tuesday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
TBD
09/08/89 10:41:15
SPEECHWRITING AND RESEARCH OFFICES
Page: 4
DAILY PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH SCHEDULE
EVENT/LOCATION
DATE
PROJ. OFFICER WRITER/RESEARCH C.W. DRAFT STAFFING TO POTUS
International Drug Conference 10/27/89
McNally
10/20/89
10/24/89
10/25/89
Friday
Simon
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Costa Rica
Governor Martinez Funder
12/01/89
Andy Card
11/24/89
11/28/89
11/29/89
Friday
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Tampa, Florida
NAACP Fundraising Gala
12/15/89
12/08/89
12/12/89
12/13/89
Friday
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
New York City, New York
President D. Eisenhower B-day 10/14/90
SENT BY:Republican Natl Comm ; 9-12-89 ; 2:39PM ;
2028638820->
4566218;# 1
Republican
National
Committee
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL
DATE 9/12
TO Mark Davis
TELEFAX NO. 456-6218
COMPANY white House
FROM J.M Badenhausen
TELEFAX NO.
(202) 863-8820
NUMBER OF PAGES (including cover sheet)
4
Mark-
Phil thought you
would want to look
at these recent polls.
- fin
Dwight D. Elsenhower Republican Center: 310 First Street Southeast, Washington, D.C. 20003. (202) 863-8500. Telex: 701144
SENT BY:Republican
Nati Comm ; 9-12-89 ; 2:39PM ;
2028638820-
4566218;# 2
RECENT PUBLIC OPINION POLLING ON EDUCATION
*81 HOTLINE/KRC POLL BEFORE BUSH DRUG SPEECH
1,007 registered voters were interviewed September 3 through
5, 1989. The margin of error for the full sample is 3% (BOSTON
GLOBE, WBZ-TV, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER, 9/7).
BUSH, CONGRESS, EDUCATION AND TAXES
When asked an almost identical question about whether Bush is
right or wrong when he says that we can improve public education
without raising taxes, voters split evenly.
all Dems Inds GOP
Bush right
48% 32% 53% 60%
Bush wrong
48
64
43
34
MAJORITY SUPPORT TAX HIKE FOR EDUCATION IF CONGRESS SAYS NEEDED
Here too, voters are prepared to support a tax hike for public
education if Congress sees it as necessary. Democrats are more
prepared to support a tax increase, but even a majority of
Republicans says they would support a tax increase if Congress said
it was necessary.
all Dems Inds GOP men women
support raising taxes
55%
63%
54%
51%
53%
58%
oppose raising taxes
40
32
42
44
42
38
*81 HOTLINE/KRC: GROWING SIGNS OF A STRENGTHENING PRESIDENCY
1,000 registered voters were interviewed June 11 through 13.
The margin of error is 3% (WBZ-TV, BOSTON GLOBE, SAN FRANCISCO
EXAMINER, 6/15).
Bush administration rating on improving the quality of education
all
Dems Inds GOP
18-39
40-64
65+
excellent
4%
4%
2%
5%
3%
3%
7%
above average
24
16
25
34
27
20
26
average (vol.)
12
11
9
14
10
14
15
below average
30
38
34
20
35
33
16
poor
12
16
16
6
14
12
10
"Which country has the best educational system,
"
all 18-39
40-64
65+
U.S.
31%
28%
29%
41%
Soviet Union
5
5
6
2
China
4
6
3
3
Japan
51
51
54
45
SENT BY:Republican Natl Comm ; 9-12-89 ; 2:39PM ;
2028638820-
4566218;# 3
*51 HOTLINE/KRC TRACKING POLL: MIXED MARKS FOR BUSH
1,002 registered voters were interviewed May 28 through May
30, 1989. The margin of error is 3% (BOSTON GLOBE, SAN FRANCISCO
EXAMINER, WBZ-TV, 6/1).
QUALITY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TWO YEARS FROM NOW
better
32%
worse
24
about the same
39
*51 HOTLINE/KRC: HALF SAY SHOULD LEAVE CONGRESS IF VIOLATIONS
1,001 registered voters were interviewed April 16 through
April 18, with 499 interviewed Sunday (before the release of the
ethics committee report) and 502 interviewed after its release.
The margin of error for the full sample is 3% (SAN FRANCISCO
EXAMINER, BOSTON GLOBE, WBZ-TV, 4/20).
"Would you be willing to pay more federal taxes to preserve
quality education in the United States?"
yes
64%
no
31
*53 USA TODAY POLL: MIXED REPORT CARD ON BUSH
1001 adults were interviewed April 15-16 by Gordon S. Black
Corp. for USA TODAY. The margin or error is +/- 3% (USA TODAY,
4/21).
Bush's report cards (A through F)
Overall Education Environment Drugs
Economy
A
13%
14%
8%
15%
8%
B
34
29
21
29
27
C
35
31
34
28
38
D
9
11
15
13
13
E
5
9
16
12
9
SENT BY:Republican Nat Comm ; 9-12-89 ; 2:40PM ;
2028638820->
4566218;# 4
*51 HOTLINE/KRC POLL: BUSH FAVS HIGH, JOB PERFORMANCE LAGS
1,003 registered voters were interviewed April 2 through
April 4. The margin of error is 3% (WBZ-TV, SAN FRANCISCO
EXAMINER, BOSTON GLOBE, 4/6-7).
EDUCATION
"Looking down the road to two years from now, do you think the
quality of public education in the United States will be than
(as) it is now?"
better
38%
worse
23
about the same 36
"Do you think the federal government should spend more, less, or
about the same as now on public education?"
more
75%
less
05
the same
17
*51 TIMES MIRROR FOLL: CUTS "SHOULD COME IN THE MILITARY BUDGET"
The Gallup Organization surveyed 2,048 adults in person from
Jan. 27 to Feb. 5. The margin of error is 2% (mult. 3/9).
MAJORITIES FOR INCREASED SPENDING
65% supported increases for fighting drug abuse
57% supported increases for health care
53% supported increases for homelessness
52% supported increases for AIDS research
50% supported increases for the elderly
50% supported increases for public education
CHRIS.SCI.MON.:09-08-89
US Education: Expectations Unfulfilled
BACK'S
A
NEW school year begins in the
the University of Connecticut, I have
rope, and only 55 percent could pick out
process at the expense of substance: at
United States with the country's
seen a broad cross section of its students
New York State on a map of the US.
colleges and universities, where a dv
educational system still beset by a
in introductory American government
The study also showed us moving
namic has been at work that rewards 10
central contradiction. No other people
classes. Today's students are bright, at-
backward. Young adults displayed much
search at the expense of teaching.
on earth are more convinced than
tractive, willing to listen if you have
less knowledge of geography than did
One thing we must not blame for it
Americans of education's importance.
something to say, great fun to teach.
their elders. White Americans in their
is a pernicious delusion is a la of 10-
None spend as much on it as we do. No
They are not, however, on the whole
50s and older compared favorably to
sources. How often have we been told
other country involves as many of its cit-
nearly so well grounded as were their
their counterparts in other industrial
our problems could be solved il only
countries, while those 18-24 lagged far
teachers' salaries were raised or some
izens in formal instruction for as many
counterparts a quarter-century ago in ei-
years of their lives. And arguably, none
ther the basic rules of written expression
behind their peers elsewhere. The US
program fully funded.
can claim over the years more impressive
or in essential historical knowledge.
was the only country where the youngest
But the fact is, educational expendi
educational accomplishments.
I have heard similar as-
group did not score higher
tures have increased steadily as the prob
Still, the American educational system
sessments from colleagues at
E
V
E
R
E
T
T
than the oldest.
lem has deepened. Per pupil spending
is now malperforming - and almost ev-
many other institutions.
The failure of America's
CARLLLADD
for primary and secondary edue ation,
eryone connected with the enterprise
Quite literally, I have never
educational system to incul-
$95 in 1940, climbed to $392 in 1960,
knows it. Certainly many businessmen
encountered a veteran fac-
cate basic knowledge - of
and $4,162 in 1988. Per student expen
do. They complain increasingly of the
ulty member who professes
writing, geography, history,
ditures in higher education leaped from
system's failure to contribute to a work
the opposite who argues
etc. is now seen as its fun-
$450 in 1940 to $1,985 in 1960, to $9. 165
force properly prepared for today's mar-
that core knowledge and ba-
damental problem, serious
last year - even as the number of stu
ketplace, and they spend increasing sums
sic skills have been strength-
in itself because the missing
dents enrolled inc reased from 1.5 million
on their own remedial programs.
ened in recent decades
information is intrinsically
to more than 12 million. Inflation ехад
The general public knows it. In survey
across a general student popu-
important, and even more
gerates this climb, but the rease is still
after survey it has called performance
lation.
critical as it suggests a deep-
real indeed, enormous.
standards and achievement too low, and
A slew of recent studies
er loss of intellectual disci-
"Back to basics" often seems just a vac
supported action to raise them: more
among them, "What Do Our 17-Year-
pline and coherence.
uous slogan, but in the case of American
homework; greater stress on imparting
Olds Know?" by Diane Ravitch and
There is no shortage of suggestions on
education it in fact points us in the right
to students basic knowledge in writing,
Chester E. Finn Jr.; and "Cultural Liter-
where to point the finger of blame: At
direction. Basic knowledge is as essential
history, science, and math; national stan-
acy," by E. D. Hirsch Jr. have reached
television, of course, but that's only an
for today's students as it ever was: its
dards for teacher certification and
similarly disturbing conclusions. Gallup
obligatory gesture, not serious analysis;
boundaries are as knowable. It can be in
statewide competency testing of all teach-
surveys last year in the US and other in-
at the family, the bedrock of any educa-
culcated as readily if only we will make
ers periodically; and compulsory na-
dustrial nations, done for the National
tional system, which has been experienc-
up our minds to do so.
tional testing to measure and compare
Geographic Society, found 32 percent of
ing problems of instability; at the educa-
students' academic achievements.
adult Americans unable to name any
tion guild, from teachers organizations to
Everett Carll Ladd is executive director of the
Many of us in teaching recognize the
members of NATO. Only 57 percent
schools of education, which has often
Roper Center for Public Opinion Research,
extent of the problem. In my 25 years at
could identify England on a map of Eu-
seemed preoccupied with technique and
University of Connecticut.
WASH. TIMES : 09-05-89
JEANNE ALLEN / WILLIAM MYERS
resident George Bush re-
P
cently invited the nation's
School
governors to an education
summit on Sept. 27. The
purpose: to hammer out a plan to
reform America's failing school sys-
summit
tem.
Several governors already have
responded to the presidential call by
asserting that what really is needed
is more federal money. Others are
primer
10P
B
usiness is spending some $40
billion on education this year
expressing fears that they will be
and thus is taking an urgent
asked to shoulder more of the re-
interest in education reform that
sponsibility for improving education
(hortly after he took office, Mr.
could reduce the high tab for reme-
without being given the resources
they claim they need. These gover-
S
Bush pledged to remove cum-
dial education for their employees.
bersome regulations to make
Countless reports and studies call-
nors note that recent congressional
it easier for schools to experiment.
ing for reforms have been issued by
legislation mandates that states as-
The Department of Education is ex-
business groups; firms are collabo-
sume more of the burden of funding
ploring ways to clear away these bar-
rating with educators, parents and
for health and welfare, and they sus-
riers. Mr. Bush should announce to
public-policy experts to develop new
pect that education will follow suit.
the summit that once this review is
strategies. Yet business efforts often
Even though there is overwhelm-
complete, he will issue an executive
are unfocused.
ing evidence that more money is not
order to eliminate regulations that
The president should join with the
the answer to the nation's education
impede reform.
governors at the summit in calling
problems, the suspicions of gover-
Mr. Bush also should challenge
on the nation's corporate leaders to
nors about the summit are under-
the states to follow his lead and clear
establish a Commission on Business
standable. This should not cloud the
away red tape at the state level. Edu-
Support for Education. Patterned
fact that the summit is needed - not
cation mainly is regulated by
after the Grace Commission, which
to box in the states and force them to
statehouses, not Washington.
highlighted waste in the government
pick up more of the education tab,
Schools must abide by copious
budget, the product of the commis-
but to seek ways of removing road-
state regulations, many of which in-
sion would not be more studies or
blocks that impede the states from
terfere with a school's ability to im-
research. Instead, it would highlight
improving education.
prove the quality of education.
those strategies that have been im-
The states already are setting the
Examples: teacher certification
proving education and indicate prac-
pace in education reform. It is the
requirements, vocational education
tical ways in which business can
states that are introducing wider
and basic course requirements, and
stimulate reform.
choice for parents to spur more com-
restrictions on the use of school fa-
4. Announce that he will order the
petition among schools, and it is the
Department of Education to assist
cilities can constrain creative ap-
states that are in the vanguard of
states in reforming education. Mr.
school management innovation.
proaches by schools. Mr. Bush
Bush also should call on each gover-
should call on the governors to re-
Thus what Mr. Bush needs to do is to
move such burdensome red tape and
nor to appoint a senior staffer to deal
soothe the worries of the governors
allow their school districts to ex-
exclusively with parental choice.
by assuring them that instead of the
summit imposing new burdens on
plore new ways of dealing with the
States are taking the lead in pro-
old problems.
moting choice in education. But
the states, it will seek ways to make
2. Seek agreement by the summit
while the Department of Education
it easier for them to introduce more
reforms of the kind they are already
for the goal of a school-choice plan
supports these moves, many of its
in at least 30 states within two years.
staff lack the direction or authority
pioneering.
to help states reform in this way. Mr.
In particular, at the summit Mr.
The experience of Minnesota and
Bush should tell the governors that
Bush should:
Iowa confirms that allowing parents
the department now will work
1. Announce that he will issue an
a degree of choice over which school
closely with the states to develop
executive order to free states from
their child will attend significantly
strategies to promote choice. To help
cumbersome federal rules that frus-
raises the quality of education. Mr.
this, Mr. Bush should ask each gov-
trate state education innovation. He
Bush should signal his determina-
ernor to appoint a "choice adviser"
tion to see more more statewide
also should challenge the states to do
to work closely with the department
the same for their local govern-
choice plans by announcing a target
on reform measures.
to be reached in two years. He could
ments.
Many innovative education re-
provide each state that enacts edu-
Mr. Bush's call for an education
forms are impeded by federal red
cational choice for parents a bonus
summit is a recognition of the crisis
federal grant and technical assis-
in American education. Something
tape. Example: Washington imposes
tance to administer the new plans.
needs to be done to reverse the
numerous restrictions on the use of
breakdown in quality of a school
Chapter 1 funds, which serve the
3. Call for a commission on busi-
education. And by inviting the gov-
needs of disadvantaged students.
ness support for education.
ernors to the summit, Mr. Bush rec-
Thus states are prevented from
ognizes that he feels the best hope
using these funds creatively. Free-
for reform lies in action by the
:ng up this money would allow states
states.
to experiment with proven innova-
What he must do at the summit is
tive methods of instruction.
develop a battle plan to unlock the
pent-up creativity of America's
statehouses.
Republican
National
Mork DAVIS
Committee
MEMORANDUM
TO:
LEE ATWATER
Chairman
ATTN:
MARY MATALIN
Chief of Staff
THROUGH:
MARK GOODIN
Director of Communications
PHIL KAWIOR PC
Director of Research
FROM:
JIM BADENHAUSEN
Research Analys
JR
DATE:
MAY 15, 1989
SUBJECT:
EDUCATION: A WEDGE ISSUE
A clear Republican agenda on education has developed, giving the GOP an
opportunity to develop education as a wedge issue in the coming elections.
Recent education reforms have had some success in improving the state of the
nation's public schools but we still have a long way to go. As then-Secretary
of Education Bill Bennett wrote in 1988 on the fifth anniversary of the release
of A Nation at Risk, "American education has made some undeniable progress in
the last few years. We are doing better than we were in 1983. But we are
certainly not doing well enough."
During the last five years, however, the Republican Party, in the public's eyes,
has fallen further behind on the education issue. If were are going to use the
GOP consensus on education reform to our partisan advantage we must be
confrontational, willing to challenge the liberal Democrats and the NEA who
oppose our proposals. We won't win on this issue by increasing federal spending
because liberals are always eager to spend even more. At the very least an
aggressive Republican position on education reform will neutralize the
Democratic advantage on education and may even turn the issue to our advantage.
Below is a review of the education issue.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican Center: 310 First Street Southeast, Washington, D.C. 20003. (202) 863-8500. Telex: 701144
Page 2
Republicans continue to trail on education issue
During the 1980s, the Republican Party has fallen further behind the Democrats
as the party seen as best able to ensure quality education.
In 1980, by a 4-point margin the public thought Democrats would do a
better job than Republicans of ensuring quality education; in 1984 the
Democrats led by the same margin; but by 1986 Democrats had a 7-point
advantage on this issue; and, on Election Day 1988 the Democrats had a
15-point advantage on ensuring quality education despite George Bush's
pledge to be the education president. (Wirthlin Group)
More recent polling data indicates that Democrats continue to hold an
advantage on this question, although the margin has narrowed. In April
1989, Democrats were favored by a 6-point margin on the question of which
party could better ensure the quality of public education, but among those
most concerned about education Republicans trailed by 12 percentage
points. (MOR, 4/5-9/89)
Public continues to give public schools low grades
While the public's confidence in the public schools has improved slightly since
a decade low in 1983, the public continues to give the nation's public schools
only mediocre grades.
When asked to grade the nation's public schools, only 23% of Americans
give the schools an A or B, while 64% give them a C, D, or F rating.
Nonwhites, inner city residents, and those under thirty, give their local
schools the lowest grades. (Gallup, 1988)
Funding isn't the problem
Liberal Democrats and the NEA often try to fault any Republican education reform
proposals for not including a major expansion in federal spending. The public,
solution. however, recognizes that throwing more federal money at the problem is not the
O
Mark get article this
Total education spending in the U.S. has already risen dramatically. In
1988, the average per-pupil expenditure in American public education was
about $4,800, $1,500 more than in 1983, approximately twice as much per
student as in the mid-60s and nearly three times the level of the mid-50s.
Finn, Commentary, 5/89)
Although Democrats often cite polls that show the American people are
willing to pay higher taxes for better education, the public doesn't think
funding is the major problem facing the nation's public schools. In
Gallup's annual education survey in 1988, only 12% of the public cited
increased funding as the most important problem facing public education.
(Gallup 1988)
Page 3
If Republicans allow the education debate to focus on funding we are
destined to lose because liberal Democrats will always outbid us when
they're playing with taxpayers' money.
Republican Proposals
Republican education proposals addressed in the President's education programs
and more recently in the American Family Act proposed by Republicans Rep. Jerry
Lewis and Sen. Dan Coats have offered a variety of education reforms that enjoy
overwhelming public support and don't require major increases in government
spending. Both packages promote the goals of choice, accountability, values in
education, and drug free schools, all ideas that the public supports by wide
margins. There are several potential wedge issues that offer Republicans the
opportunity to regain the initiative on education.
-- A Cutting Issue: Ethics and Values
Was Drugo, on
A majority of the public thinks that the public schools should in some way
be involved in teaching values and ethical behavior. Forty-three percent
said that such courses should be taught in the schools, and another 13%
Indertinate Do
volunteered that schools, parents, and churches should all be involved.
Thirty-six percent said that only parents and churches should be involved.
(Gallup, 1987)
the 00 polucation
Recognizing that many children are not receiving the moral and ethical
leadership that was traditionally provided by families and churches, the
American Family Act provides funds for pilot programs in Character
Education. The bill also will include a requirement that all
grant-receiving schools include the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the
daily program.
itsamatting
A Cutting Issue: Accountability
I
highr Standards.
Jadnes
Accountability, which is one of the principles of President Bush's
education reform package, is widely supported by the public. Seventy
percent of the public supports using educational achievement test results
to compare the quality of schools. Seventy-six percent of public thinks
that telling school districts to require higher academic achievement of
their students will help school quality.
-- A Cutting Issue: Choice
The opportunity for parents to choose which public schools their children
attend is an idea that it widely supported by the public. Seventy-one
percent of the public thinks parents should have the right to choose which
local schools their children attend, while only 20% oppose the idea. And
women and those parents whose children are average or below average in
academic standing were the strongest supporters of parental choice.
(Gallup, 1987)
Page 4
The American Family Act 1989 includes funding to stimulate unrestricted
enrollment programs within school districts throughout America. In
President Bush's education proposal the Magnet Schools program would
promote parental choice.
-- A Cutting Issue: Cracking down on Drugs
The public thinks the largest problem in public schools today is the use
of drugs. In 1988, for the third consecutive year drugs topped the list
of problems that Americans think are facing our public schools.
Thirty-two percent of the public cited drug use as the number one problem
in the nation's public schools, and discipline, a related problem has
consistently ranked second as the number one problem facing the public
schools. (Gallup)
To curb the drug problem in the public schools, the public supports
proposals that many liberal Democrats might balk at supporting. Eight in
ten Americans support the expulsion of students caught using drugs and
seven in ten support allowing school officials to search lockers when they
suspect that drugs might be concealed in them. (Gallup, 1986)
The American Family Act doesn't have any provision that specifically
addresses drugs in the schools, but it does address juvenile justice and
parental liability. The proposal includes a provision that would provide
funds to states with laws that allow the court to find parents of juvenile
offenders liable for restitution.
Us against Them
Finally, casting the NEA and it's Democratic boosters as the villains of
education reform as Bill Bennett often did during his tenure at the Education
Department would help crystallize the education issue, with Republicans and
other. popular opinion one side, and liberal Democrats and the teachers' union on the
CC: Bob Teeter, Fred Steeper, Ed Rollins, John Buckley, Mark Nuttle,
Jim Pinkerton
WALL ST :09-01-89
10/195/3
Seat Belts for School Desks?
Not everyone will be coming back
light at night. These legal costs are
to school this fall. The latest victims
passed on to taxpayers, so you'd think
of the tort crisis are thousands of
that public officials would do all they
Americans who once volunteered to
could to put an end to this destructive
help-out in the nation's public schools.
litigation. Instead, the state attorneys
Our absurd tort laws with their unlim-
general attacked the insurers with a
ited potential liability have snuffed
frivolous lawsuit.
out a once-bright point of light.
The National Association of Attor-
According to surveys by the Amer-
ican Tort Reform Association, nearly
neys General-known increasingly as
60% of school principals say they have
the National Association of Aspiring
Governors-filed a massive antitrust
dropped or cut back on school-related
programs because of the threat of
claim accusing insurers of somehow
lawsuits and high insurance pre-
concocting the tort crisis. A federal
miums. Nearly 20% of school lawyers
judge has announced that he plans to
dismiss the lawsuit before trial. Cali-
report lawsuits or settlements in the
past two years alone that caused their
fornia Attorney General (and aspiring
schools to drop or restrict activities.
governor) John Van de Kamp, who
Hardest hit, say the school law-
plotted the lawsuit, must now take
yers, was volunteerism, with more
some responsibility for the higher in-
than one-tenth of schools either stop-
surance premiums sure to be passed
on to consumers because of the mon-
ping or restricting volunteer work,
strous legal bills insurers incurred
such as driving or chaperoning, be-
cause of liability fears.
over the past year defending them-
selves from the state AGs.
Not surprisingly, gym, cheerlead-
ing and diving are highly suspect ac-
Society has become used to watch-
tivities in many schools these days.
ing goods and services fall victim to
But so too are playground activities,
the U.S.'s deep-pocket-picking liability
field trips, vocational education,
system, but burdening the public
driver education, nurses stations and
schools with these liability suits is a
even recess. One school actually mod-
special outrage. We need more parent
ified its drum and bugle corps pro-
volunteers to help teach and coach.
gram because of fear of litigation.
We need more businessmen willing to
The Association of Trial Lawyers
offer school-related work to under-
of America has an answer for all this.
class youth. The last place we need to
The plaintiff lawyers say the culprits
spend education money is on lawyers
are insurance companies "reaping in-
chasing the chimera of a risk-free en-
credible profits" from premiums and
vironment.
trying to "pressure the public into
Education, like almost every hu-
thinking there is a crisis in tort law."
man pursuit, entails some measure of
The good news is that this game of
risk. Some kids inevitably will be hurt
contingency-fee lawyers attacking the
learning carpentry or playing basket-
messenger for bearing bad tort ti-
ball. But they'll be hurt more if plain-
dings may be just about over.
tiffs' lawyers keep shutting down as-
Lawyers for these schools have
pects of education. Judges and legisla-
had to go to court to defend against all
tors should redouble their efforts to
kinds of absurd charges, from
reform tort law before our schools be-
teachers giving low grades to a school
come sterile hallways of risk aversion
allowing a thief to fall through its sky-
and boredom.
CHRIS.SCI.MON. :08-31-89
Education Leader Stresses Job Readiness
10
WASHINGTON
tional 5 million to 16 million jobs will require "vast-
ly more education than they do today."
T
HE No. 1 issue facing the United States to-
One-fourth of all US students today drop out
day is job readiness, says Richard Berend-
before completing high school; the percentage is
zen, president of American University.
higher in some cities.
"The US faces an utterly staggering problem as we
One-quarter of all American children now live
enter the next century."
in poverty; they are disproportionately black and
Solving that problem requires a renewed na-
Hispanic.
tional emphasis on education, Dr. Berendzen says.
In keeping with demographic trends, the
Additional funds will be required, but they should
American work force will be increasingly minority
be looked on as a necessary investment, with the
and female, Berendzen says. By the year 2,000,
funds transferred from other areas of the budget,
"less than 15 percent of all new jobs in the US will
he says.
be taken by white males."
According to Berendzen, America must act now
In the face of these trends, US education is
to ensure that minority youth, upon which the US
sharply split in quality, Berendzen points out. "The
economy will largely depend in the 21 st century,
top 10 to 20 percent are as well prepared for col-
obtain the quality of education required in the
leges as any in the world today" or in the US in the
economy of the future. Otherwise the US will not
past, he says.
be able to compete in the world economy, he adds.
"But 30 to 40 percent of our students in the bot-
Step by step, Berendzen built his case before a
tom academic rung are probably the least pre-
small group of reporters. By the year 2000, be-
pared of any in the industrialized world." These
tween 5 million and 15 million low-skill jobs will
are disproportionately minority youth.
disappear from the US economy, he said. An addi-
- Robert P. Hey
WASH. 09-03-89
102
Principal
Jimmie
PRINCIPAL
Warren
believes
that
inner-city
sleeves and work that much harder."
Later, when I listened to a tape of
kids can
our conversation, I realized that po-
lice and ambulance sirens had
pierced the Bronx air again and again
succeed
on that warm afternoon. But the new
principal of James Monroe High
School had a presence and a message
-and
that made those interruptions in-
significant. Like all profound mes-
sages, his was deceptively simple:
he knows
"I'm interested in convincing young-
sters that education makes a dif-
how
ference, that if they're living in an en-
vironment full of unfulfilled dreams,
they have the potential and the ability
to make some changes, to dig down
inside themselves to pull themselves
up. I'm not telling them it's fair.
These kids have to work harder than
The Man Who
other kids. I'm just trying to convince
them that if they work hard, they can
make it."
You might mistake the 44-year-old
Jimmie Warren for a starry-eyed ide-
alist. When we talked, he was just a
Shapes Up
month into his assignment at James
Monroe, a troubled school where test
scores and graduation rates have been
falling for decades. Any new princi-
pal might be overflowing with opti-
mism before he realized just how
tough a job he had taken on. But Jim-
Troubled Schools
mie Warren is different. Monroe is the
fourth troubled high school he has run
in this decade. New York City's
Board of Education has recognized
10
him as one of its best principals. Six
years ago, he took over William H.
Taft High, another Bronx school that
HEN YOU SIT WITH JIMMIE WARREN
W
had been called the city's worst. The
and listen to him speak. you find your-
day we spoke, Warren had on his desk
self believing that there may be a
a letter from the Department of Edu-
future for kids in this country's worst
cation in Washington, D.C., announc-
crack-ridden slums. "The problems
ing that Taft had been chosen as a final-
are evident." he told me in his warm
ist in a national program to recognize
strong baritone. "There's no need to
superior schools.
rehash them. You sit back and say
Almost any expert would have told
the problems are insurmountable. the
you that the problems at Taft defied
problems are so burdensome there's
solution: 84 percent of the kids were
nothing you can do. That's a cop-
on public assistance. and 16 percent
out. You just have to roll up your
couldn't speak English proficiently
Only two of the 2500 scored well
BY MICHAEL RYAN
enough on standardized tests to earn
a Regents diploma-a recognition of
achievement that more than 90 per-
cent of the students earn in some top
New York schools. "Taft was near the
top of every negative list the city pro-
duced," Principal Warren remem-
bered. "It had one of the highest drop-
outrates. just about the lowest attend-
ance and achievement rates, nearly
the highest suspension rate. The
school had a very bad reputation. I
had kids coming into my office with
tears in their eyes, saying. We don't
WASH. POST 09-03-89
2.62
think we're that bad.' I said, 'Let's
prove it.
They did-and Warren is proud of
the fact that he never used bullhoms
standardized tests-and the teachers
or baseball bats or any of the other
at Taft willingly volunteered their
flamboyant devices that have been glo-
time. "I wanted those teachers to think
rified in the media in recent years.
that their middle name was Taft,"
You can't intimidate people into learn-
Warren recalled with a smile.
ing," he said. "You can't use a base-
The results were startling. The
ball bat and say, 'Hey, you: Learn.'
school now has a parents' association
You have to serve as a positive role
and active community support. Elev-
model."
en percent of the graduates. now get
There are few better role models
Regents diplomas, and 80 percent go
than Jimmie Warren, who lives north
on to some form of higher education.
of the Bronx with his wife, Freda, and
"Don't get me wrong," Warren said.
their two sons. He was raised in Har-
"We didn't solve all the problems at
lem. He worked his way through col-
Taft. The dropout rate is still too high;
lege-acquiring a bachelor's degree
the attendance rate is still too low. But
from Long Island University and a mas-
we made some dents in the prob-
ter's from City College of New York.
lems." With Taft on the road to re-
(He is now earning a doctorate at Co-
covery, New York City decided it need-
lumbia.) By his own account, he was
ed Warren in another tough school.
the only kid in his neighborhood to
Out in the front hall at Monroe, the
make it to college-and many of his
kids scurried past in a class change.
friends ended up dead or in jail. Still,
You could spot every type you ever
kids at Taft had life rougher than he
knew in high school-the dreamers,
ever knew.
the intellectuals, the wise guys, the
"I was shocked," he said. "I had a
jocks. They passed by a display of
teacher complain to me about one stu-
photographs of famous Monroe grad-
dent who was not doing his home-
uates: Regina Resnik, the Metropoli-
work. I said, 'Bring him in. I'll read
tan Opera star, is there; so is Leon
him the riot act.' They brought him
Lederman, who last year won the
in, and I said, 'James, I want you to
Nobel Prize in Physics. But nobody
bring your mother in.' He said, 'I
has updated the list for 20 years or so-
can't. She's a drug addict. The courts
since the school's demographics
took me away from her. I said,
changed and the students' faces be-
'Okay, bring your father.' He said,
came largely black and brown. Jim-
'My father's a fugitive. I haven't seen
mie Warren says he plans to make that
him in four years.' I said, 'Who are
honor roll current, finding distin-
you living with?' He said, 'I was liv-
guished recent alumni to recognize.
ing with my aunt. She threw me
"When I see a kid walk through the
out.' Warren worked with a social
door at Monroe," this principal says,
worker to find the boy a foster home,
he sees the makings of another Nobel
and the new principal realized the kind
Prize-winner. "These kids have the
of challenge he was facing.
potential. All they need is proper
Instead of a quick, glitzy solution,
encouragement." Jimmie Warren is
Warren developed a series of answers
going to make sure they get it.
to Taft's many problems. A child in
danger of dropping out would be en-
rolled in the Adopt-a-Student pro-
gram. in which faculty members-
Warren included-invited kids to their
homes, called them on weekends and
during vacation, and constantly encour-
aged them to keep trying. There was
a program for pregnant girls, another
for kids with low reading scores.
Older students who had amassed a few
credits entered an in-school GED di-
ploma program. Kids with high ab-
senteeism rates were enroiled in spe-
cial after-school makeup classes that
enabled them to get back in step with
their classmates. Warren added extra
periods of biology. math and chemis-
try to help his students do better on
N.Y. TIMES 09-03-89
A Seismic Shock for Education
70P
By Chester E. Finn Jr.
Yet for some time polls have found
the public receptive to greater state
WASHINGTON
A poll shows
influence and stronger state-led ac-
countability measures. In 1987, some
he annual Gallup
T
a preference
84 percent of those surveyed agreed
education poll spon-
that one of the things the Federal
sored by the profes-
sional educational fra-
for national,
Government should do is "require
states and local school districts to
ternity Phi Delta
Kappa often yields
standards,
meet minimum educational stand-
startling results.
ards."
On many issues spanning the sur-
curriculum.
Such changes imply greater homo-
vey's 21-year history, the public has
geneity than our state-based, locally
declared itself in favor of seismic
administered education system has
changes in the ground rules of the
ever displayed, as well as tougher
education system reforms that go
norms and consequences linked to
far beyond what many educators
fessionals and the incrementalism of
school results.
(and elected officials) are comfort-
recent reform efforts and, instead, re-
But in tandem with the uniformity,
able with.
write basic assumptions about how to
people favor ceding more operational
The 1989 poll, unveiled Aug. 24,
chart the course and gauge the
authority to individual principals and
amounts to a major earthquake. The
progress of the nation's schools.
giving students choices among
hoariest policy assumption of Amer-
Whether those officials have the
schools.
ican schooling - that essential deci-
courage to do so remains to be seen,
Other tremors emerge from the
sions about curriculum and stand-
but it is clear the electorate would
data. Virtually no one supports the
ards must be locally determined -
support such shifts.
universal practice of allowing young-
turns out to be another pólitical myth.
Asked "would you favor or oppose
sters to drop out upon reaching a
In sharp contrast to a century-old
requiring the public schools in this
specified age. Forty-five percent
practice, people say they want na-
community to conform to national
would keep them in school until they
tional education standards, a national
achievement standards and goals?",
graduate, while 38 percent would
curriculum and national tests.
70 percent of Gallup's respondents
oblige them to meet "certain stand-
The temblor couldn't be more time-
were in favor, 19 percent opposed.
ards of knowledge and skill" before
ly. On Sept. 27, President Bush and
Asked "would you favor or oppose
being permitted to leave school.
the governors will gather in Char-
requiring the public schools in this
lottesville, Va., for an education
Asking one's opinion of a hypotheti-
community to use a standardized na-
"summit meeting." No weightier
cal event is not the same as confront-
tional curriculum?", the responses
topic could be on their agenda than
ing people with actual disruptions, in
were 69 percent yes, 21 percent no.
the challenge of developing common
long-established patterns. Nor can we
And asked about "requiring the
school norms and curriculums for the
public schools in this community to
be certain the public would reward
whole country - and a testing-and-
public officials who take such initia-
use standardized national testing pro-
accountability system by which we
grams to measure the academic
tives. (Voter participation rates in
can know over time whether those
achievement of students?", the re-
local school board elections are
norms are being met.
sults were 77 percent affirmative,
scareely encouraging.)
Many educators would surely balk,
only 14 percent negative.
But alarmed by the drab perform-
for they would be protective of their
In every instance, people with chil-
ance of schools, despite years of mar-
autonomy, the decentralization of to-
dren enrolled in the public schools
ginal reforms, parents and taxpayers
day's system and the degree to which
were even more enthusiastic about
seem ready for profound changes.
its results are blurred and its employ-
these changes than adults with no
The participants at the education
ees spared from consequences.
youngsters in school.
summit meeting would do well to
But Gallup's data suggest that it
This doesn't mean citizens want
heed the Gallup data. Helping guide
may be timely for elected officials to
Federal officials to run their schools.
the public to where it says it wants to
set aside the conservatism of the pro-
As recently as two years ago, survey
go is not a bad definition of leader-
data showed 39 percent wanting
ship. Besides, when the territory is
Chester E. Finn Jr., professor of
Washington to have "less influence
covered with decrepit old structures,
education and public policy at Van-
on improving the local public
an earthquake may be the only way to
derbilt University, is director of the
schools" (while 37 percent favored
clear the ground for new construc-
Educational Excellence Network.
"more influence").
tion.
White House News Summary
Thursday, September 14, 1989 -- 1
2:00 P.M. NEWS UPDATE
CAPITAL GAINS/WAYS AND MEANS (UPI) -- The House Ways and Means
Committee prepared Thursday to approve a temporary cut in the capital
gains tax after Chairman Rostenkowski failed to persuade supporters to let
the full House decide the issue instead. In a move seen as a defeat for
Rostenkowski and the House Democratic leadership, the committee was
expected to approve by a 19-17 vote a 2}-year cut in the tax rate
"We will try as hard as we know how to have the House not adopt a capital
gains cut, said Rep. Gephardt. "This was George Bush's idea to help
his wealthy friends and the people who are going to pay for that are the
middle class."
EDUCATION/DUKAKIS/PRESIDENT (UPI) -- Gov. Dukakis challenged
President Bush Thursday to fulfill a campaign promise to be the "education
president" by showing a willingness to pay for national goals to be
outlined at an upcoming education summit
"He must demonstrate that
he is not only prepared to set national goals (but) he is prepared to pay
for them,' Dukakis said
Dukakis said he is not optimistic Bush will
provide an adequate amount to fund a major educational effort, citing [his
proposed anti-drug spending] and his thirst for additional defense
spending. "(Spending for) B-2 bombers and 'Star Wars,' in my judgment,
is not in the same category as comprehensive drug education and the Head
Start program Dukakis said.
BREEDEN (AP) -- Richard Breeden, President Bush's nominee to head the
Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday that vigorous
securities law enforcement was good for market integrity and could help
U.S. markets compete globally for foreign investment. Breeden also told
the Senate Banking Committee at his confirmation hearing that criminal
sanctions are "a helpful adjunct to a civil enforcement program.
When
asked by Sen. Dodd how he squared his reputation as a free-market
advocate with the need for strong enforcement, Breeden said it was a
"perfectly legitimate role for government to keep the markets clean."
SOVIET JEWS/LAFONTANT (AP) -- While some Soviet emigres may one
day want to go back to the Soviet Union, the U.S. will not turn away
any who have already left their country and wish to come here, a Bush
administration official said today. Jewel Lafontant, U.S. coordinator for
refugees, said reporters had "misunderstood" her comment at a hearing
Wednesday that nearly 5,000 Soviet emigres in Italy and Austria who have
been denied entry to the U.S. can "always go to Israel or return to
Russia. In these days of glasnost, that's not an impossible thing. All
those stranded in Rome and Vienna will be admitted to the U.S., whether
as fully funded refugees or as parolees with private funding, Lafontant
said today as she resumed testimony before the House subcommittees on
Europe and immigration.
EAST GERMAN REFUGEES/HUNGARY (Budapest/Reuter) -- Hungary has
no immediate plans to shut its border to East Germans wishing to cross
to the West, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Thursday. The official
denied West German television reports that Hungary's border with
Austria
would be closed again Oct. 7 to mark East Germany's 40th
anniversary as a state.
-more-
News
United States
Department
of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, D.C. 20212
Technical information: (202) 523-1944
USDL 89-308
523-1371
523-1959
Media contact:
523-1913
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
NEARLY THREE-FIFTHS OF THE
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OF 1988 ENROLLED IN COLLEGE
About 2.7 million youth graduated from high school in 1988 and a
record 59 percent of them were enrolled in college by October, according to
data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor. Nearly half of these college freshmen also were in
the labor force.
This information comes from the Current Population Survey, a monthly
survey of 56,000 households which provides information on the labor force,
employment and unemployment. Each October, this survey includes special
questions on the high school graduation and college enrollment status of
youth. Selected highlights from this survey follow.
The percentage of high school graduates going on to college has
risen nearly 10 percentage points over the past decade. The college
enrollment rate of black high school graduates (45 percent) has remained
well below that of whites (61 percent) and Hispanics (57 percent).
Among the 1.6 million college freshmen, 47 percent were in the
labor force in October 1988, a near record. The unemployment rate for
these new students-most of whom were attending college full time was 11.6
percent. (See tables 1 and 2.)
About 1.1 million members of the high school class of 1988 were not
enrolled in college in October, and 85 percent of them were in the labor
force. The proportion of this group with jobs (the employment-population
ratio) was 76 percent for whites, 55 percent for blacks, and 57 percent for
Hispanics. The unemployment rate for these recent graduates, at 15.1
percent, was at its lowest point in 10 years.
Data on enrollment of recent high school graduates in vocational
education courses were available for the first time in the October 1988
survey. About 100,000 graduates not in college were enrolled in at least
one such course. These courses include secretarial, trade, or technical
classes which typically are applied toward a certificate or license rather
than toward an academic degree.
About 550,000 young people dropped out of high school between
October of 1987 and 1988. As has historically been the case, these
dropouts experience much more difficulty in the labor market than the youth
who completed high school, with a labor force participation rate of only 59
percent and a high unemployment rate--26.7 percent.
Table 1. School enrollment and labor force status of 1988 high school graduates and 1987-88 school
dropouts 16 to 24 years old by sex, race, and Hispanic origin, October 1988
(Numbers in thousands)
Civilian labor force
Civilian
noninsti-
Unemployed
Characteristic
tutional
population
Number
Participation
Employed
rate
Percent of
Number
labor
force
Total, 1988 high school graduates
2,673
1,677
62.7
1,450
227
13.5
Men
1,334
869
65.1
752
117
13.4
Women
1,339
808
60.3
698
110
13.7
White
2,187
1,421
65.0
1,254
167
11.8
Black
382
205
53.5
154
50
24.6
Hispanic origin
179
103
57.8
77
27
25.9
Enrolled in college
1,575
747
47.4
660
87
11.6
Men
761
362
47.6
328
35
9.5
Women
814
384
47.3
332
52
13.6
Full-time students
1,444
630
43.6
550
80
12.7
Part-time students
131
117
89.2
110
7
5.6
White
1,328
668
50.3
598
70
10.5
Black
172
49
28.5
37
12
(1)
Hispanic origin
102
40
39.5
33
8
(1)
Not enrolled in college
1,098
930
84.7
790
140
15.1
Men
572
506
88.5
424
82
16.2
Women
526
424
80.6
365
58
13.7
White
859
754
87.7
656
97
12.9
Black
211
156
73.9
117
38
24.5
Hispanic origin
77
63
82.2
44
19
(1)
Total, 1987-88 high school dropouts2,
552
327
59.2
240
87
26.7
Men
307
229
74.4
164
65
28.5
Women
245
98
40.1
76
22
22.4
White
436
283
64.8
213
70
24.7
Black
107
42
39.4
25
18
(1)
Hispanic origin
101
65
64.7
56
9
(1)
1/ Data not shown where base is less than
Hispanic-origin groups will not sum to totals
75,000.
because data for the "other races" group are
2/ Data refer to persons who dropped out of
not presented and Hispanics are included in
school between October 1987 and October 1988.
both the white and black population groups.
NOTE: Detail for the above race and
Because of rounding, sum of individual items
may not equal totals.
Table 2. School enrollment and labor force status of recent high school graduates and dropouts 16 to 24 years old by sex,
selected years, October 1978-88
Total
Men
Women
School
enrollment
Civilian
Labor
Civilian
Labor
Civilian
Labor
status
noninsti-
force
Unemploy-
noninsti-
force
Unemploy-
noninsti-
force
Unemploy-
tutional
partici-
ment
tutional
partici-
ment
tutional
partici-
ment
population
pation
rate
population
pation
rate
population
pation
rate
rate
rate
rate
1978
High school graduates
3,178
64.5
13.8
1,500
67.9
11.2
1,679
61.5
16.3
Enrolled in college
1,593
42.9
13.0
767
45.0
11.3
827
41.0
14.7
Not enrolled in college
1,585
86.3
14.0
733
91.8
11.2
852
81.3
17.0
High school dropouts
839
68.8
27.6
479
80.2
24.0
360
53.4
34.4
1983
High school graduates
2,964
63.6
22.3
1,390
67.5
22.6
1,574
60.2
22.0
Enrolled in college
1,562
44.9
17.0
721
47.7
17.4
841
42.6
16.5
Not enrolled in college
1,402
84.5
25.5
669
88.8
25.6
733
80.5
25.4
High school dropouts
597
63.1
31.6
329
75.4
32.7
268
48.1
29.5
1987
High school graduates
2,647
62.6
15.5
1,278
63.6
11.7
1,369
61.7
19.2
Enrolled in college
1,503
46.5
12.3
746
45.4
9.0
757
47.5
15.4
Not enrolled in college
1,144
83.8
17.8
532
89.0
13.7
612
79.2
21.9
High school dropouts
502
66.4
37.8
274
73.7
38.1
228
57.6
37.3
1988
High school graduates
2,673
62.7
13.5
1,334
65.1
13.4
1,339
60.3
13.7
Enrolled in college
1,575
47.4
11.6
761
-47.6
9.5
814
47.3
13.6
Not enrolled in college
1,098
84.7
15.1
572
88.5
16.2
526
80.6
13.7
High school dropouts
552
59.2
26.7
307
74.4
28.5
245
40.1
22.4
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