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[American Viewpoint-National Survey Highlights], 1992
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7
American Viewpoint
National Survey Highlights
American Viewpoint, Inc. - National Survey - Spring, 1992
Congressional Job Approval
The Angry Electorate
Disapproval of Congress is at an all-time
A majority of Americans, 60%,
high. Only 17% approve while 75%
agree with the statement "Congress
disapprove (51% strongly). In June, 1988,
never seems to get anything done, so
approval was at 52% and dissaproval at
maybe we ought to replace them all,
33%.
including my Congressman. # Only
37% disagree.
Republicans and ticket-splitters both show
These figures represent a complete
79% disapproval while 69% of Democrats
reversal of public opinion since
disapprove of Congress. Among those who
June, 1988, when we first tested this
approve of their own representative's job
theme. At that time, only 32%
performance, 70% disapprove of Congress
agreed with the statement and 65%
as a whole. Disapproval is even higher if
disagreed.
you factor out the youngest voters (18-29).
There is no difference by
partisanship on this question as 61%
Congressional Job Approval By Age
of all Republicans, 61% of
Independents, and 59% of all
Approve
Disapprove
Democrats agree with the statement.
Age 18-29
29
63
Further, disillusionment increases
Age 30-44
17
76
with age. Among those age 45 and
Age 45-54
16
77
older, 65% agree while 57% of those
Age 55-64
5
88
under 45 agree with the statement.
Age 65 +
9
80
Many other measures reported on
the following pages also confirm the
Congressional Job Approval By
notion that incumbents are likely to
Partisanship
face a cool appraisal from voters
this year.
Approve
Disapprove
Republican
15
79
Independent
16
75
Democrat
20
72
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Mood of the Country
What is the one thing that
bothers you the most about the
Much of this dissatisfaction is driven by
way Congress is handling its
perceptions about the direction of the
job?
country, which are at their worst level since
June, 1980 (16-77 percent). Wrong track
Poor Performance
48%
responses have been a majority since the
Summer of 1989 and have been nearly
spend too much
15%
universal for months.
accomplishments
10%
check bouncing
6%
Even a majority of Republicans believe the
country is off on the wrong track. Further,
Character Issues
34%
there are striking differences between
self-interested
15%
Republican women (70% wrong track) and
doesn't listen
10%
Republican men (55% wrong track). Only
dishonest
6%
men 18-44 are even slightly more optimistic
(28-65).
Economy
17%
national debt
6%
What Bothers Voters About Congress?
economy
4%
taxes
4%
Much of the disapproval is based in a sense
jobs
3%
that Congress is self-interested and doesn't
listen to others. Above all, Americans feel
Specific Issues
9%
that Congress is performing poorly. Only
6% mention check bouncing specifically.
poor/homeless
4%
education
2%
The table on the right lists responses to the
women's rights
2%
question: "What is the one thing that bothers
you the most about the way Congress is
handling its job?"
Congress vs. Our Congressman
In terms of intensity, 17% strongly approve,
40% somewhat approve, 11% somewhat
Despite the overall disapproval of Congress,
disapprove, and 11% strongly disapprove.
however, 57% approve of the way their own
Still, individual job approval is on the
Congressman is handling his or her job
decline and is particularly weak in the West
while 22% disapprove.
(51% approve - 22% disapprove).
2
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Congressional Reelect Scores
more disenchanted (34% reelect) than
Republicans (40%) or ticket-splitters (41%).
Clearly, voters are angry and want change.
Further, 50% of all Democrat women call
However, their minds are not competely
for a new person. Majority "new person"
made up about what to do with Congress.
responses were also given by Independent
Despite the 60% saying they agree with the
women (51%) and westerners (52%).
statement "maybe we should throw them all
out -- including my Congressman," only
17% say they are voting to replace their
The Generic Ballot
Congressman.
The generic ballot remains virtually
Still, reelect scores have dropped
unchanged since 1989. In July of that year,
precipitously over the past year or so. We
41% said they were voting Republican and
tested two versions of the reelect question
44% Democrat. Currently, 40% say they
and, in both, the incumbent reelect score is
are voting Republican and 44% Democrat.
below 40%. In the question you have
probably used in your own surveys "Do you
There is, however, a huge gender gap on
think your congressman deserves reelection
this question. Men vote for the Republican
or is it time to give a new person the chance
by a 45-39 percent margin while women
to do a better job," 37% say their
vote for the Democrat by 49-35 percent.
Congressman deserves reelection while
Among those who disapprove of Congress,
44% call for a new person, and 18% are
40% say they are voting Republican, 42%
undecided. As you recall, a reelect score
Democrat. Ticket-splitters are narrowly
of 50% has long been considered a sign of
divided at 38% Republican - 41%
vulnerability.
Democrat. Republican support drops off
sharply among those age 55-64 (31-48
We also tested a question designed to help
percent) and 65+ (35-46 percent).
examine core coalitions. This one is
phrased, "Would you say that you will
Another indication that frustration with
definitely vote to reelect your Congressman,
Congress is non-partisan is the relative
that you will consider someone else, or that
uniformity of responses by partisans on
you will vote to replace your Congressman?
questions regarding Congress. For example,
In response, 30% say they will definitely
agreement with the statement maybe we
vote to reelect, 33% will consider someone
ought to replace them all, including my
else, and 17% will vote to replace.
Congressman" is almost equal among
partisan subgroups. Also, job approval of
We found significant differences on the
Congress is low by all partisan categories.
reelect by partisanship. Democrats are far
3
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Mood of the Country
90%
Legend
85%
80%
Right Direction
75%
Wrong Track
70%
65%
60%
56%
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
6/80
F
'82
33
$2,
5/85
5/88
11/0712/87
4/83
6/88
7/88
7/91
4/82
Right Direction 16
32
55
55
52
52
33
19
Wrong Track
77
58
36
34
45
37
59
72
AMERICANVIEWFORG
April 1992
Question: Do you feel that things in this country are generally going in the right direction or
do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?
Congressional Job Approval
Legend
75%
Approve
April 1982
Disapprove
17%
33%
June 1982
52%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
60%
90%
AMERICANVESWPOINT
April 1992
Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is handling it's job?
4
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Congress never seems to get anything done, so maybe we
ought to replace them all, including my Congressman.
Legend
37%
Agree
April 1992
Disagree
60%
65%
June 1988
32%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
5
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Congressional Reelect
Resiect
30%
Consider Someone Else
33%
Vote to Replace
17%
Don't Know
18%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
Question: Would you say that you will definitely vote to reelect your Congressman, you will
consider someone else, or that you will vote to replace your Congressman?
Congressional Reelect
Resiect
37%
New Person
44%
Don't Know
18%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
Question: Do you think your Congressman has performed his or her job as well enough to
derserve reelection or do you think its time to give a new person the chance to do better?
6
American Viewpoint, Inc.
The following chart portrays those who are most likely and least likely to reelect their
Congressman.
Congressional Reelect
Most Likely to Reelect
Most Likely to Replace
Consider
Consider
Reelect Else Replace
Reelect Else Replace
App. Own
Disapp. Own
Congressman
47%
32%
9%
Congressman 4%
43%
42%
Dis. Cong/
White Strong
App. Own
47
30
9
Dem.
27
26
33
App. Congress
46
32
9
Age 65+
34
15
31
GOP 45+
45
19
11
White Ind.
New England
40
28
9
Dem.
13
47
29
GOP Women
39
24
14
Ind. 45+
27
23
29
E. No. Cent.
38
26
16
E. So. Cent.
29
27
26
Age 55-64
38
21
17
Dem 45+
35
20
24
Behav. GOP
37
29
16
Dem Men
24
38
23
Midwest
36
24
18
Ind. Men
27
33
23
Generic GOP
36
34
13
W. No. Cent.
32
22
22
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
7
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Generic Congressional Ballot
Definitely Voting
Republican
34%
6%
0
40%
Leaning
Undecided
Democrat
36%
8%
44%
Undecided
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
Question: Thinking ahead to the 1992 elections for a moment.
if the election for Congress
were held today, would you be voting for the Republican candidate or the Democratic
candidate?
8
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Those who disapprove of Congress but approve of their own Congressman were asked to
describe the reasons why they feel this way.
What is it that makes your
Congressman different from the
rest of the Members of Congress?
Character
38%
listens to people
11%
responsible
11%
cares about the people
8%
honest
8%
Performance
25%
pleased with performance
16%
no bad checks
5%
new to Congress
4%
Position on Issues
25%
stand on the issues
8%
concerned about domestic/local
8%
has the same views
4%
9
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Bush VS. Clinton
In the 1992 presidential contest, President Bush leads by a 49-33 percent margin. In all, 31%
are definitely voting Bush, 15% probably voting Bush, and 2% lean Bush. Clinton's intensity
figures are 19% definite, 11% probable, and 2% lean. The undecided vote stands at 16%.
Presidential Ballot
Clinton (33%)
Bush (49%)
Don't Know (17%)
AMERICANVIEWPORT
April 1992
Given the level of pessimism felt by Americans at this time, it is interesting to examine the
presidential ballot by the right direction/wrong track subgroups.
Impact of Mood of Country
on Presidential Ballot
Bush 39%
Wrong Track
Clinton 39%
Bush 79%
Right Direction
Clinton 13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
10
American Viewpoint, Inc.
The following table lists Bush and Clinton support by key subgroups.
Bush
Clinton
Northeast
47%
32%
Midwest
49
33
West
52
27
South
47
36
Men 18-44
58
29
Men 45+
41
37
Women 18-44
49
35
Women 45+
41
32
Aged 18-29
53
36
Aged 30-44
54
29
Aged 45-54
46
33
Aged 55-64
40
36
Aged 65+
38
33
Republicans
85
8
Ticket-Splitters
50
29
Democrats
16
68
Southern White
Democrats
18
59
Pro-Life
56
26
Pro-Choice
46
38
11
American Viewpoint, Inc.
ISSUES
Health Care
These data once again indicate that Republicans cannot afford to ignore the health care
debate. A substantial plurality say that the government should provide health insurance
for everyone. This plurality includes a majority of Democrats (53%), 43% of all ticket-
splitters, and 39% of all Republicans. Further, 39% of all Bush voters think the
government should have this level of involvement.
Which of the following comes closest to how you feel about
the government's role in providing health care?
45%
Should provide nat'l insurance
for everyone
26%
Should provide for those who
cannot afford coverage
Continue to provide Medicaid &
20%
Medicare for poor and elderly
but not for anyone else
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
12
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Abortion
At the present time, a majority of Americans consider themselves pro-choice on the
abortion issue.
Abortion Label
Pro-Life (38%)
DK/Ref. (5%)
Neither/Both (6%)
Pro-Choice (53%)
Pro-Choice
Pro-Life
GOP Men
45%
44%
GOP Women
54%
39%
GOP <45
53%
41%
GOP 45+
44%
43%
Generic GOP
47%
44%
Bush Voters
49%
42%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
So. White Dem.
55%
29%
April 1992
Abortion Label
by Party Identification
Legend
42%
Pro-Cholce
Republican
49%
Pro-Life
35%
Independent
53%
31%
Democrat
57%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
13
American Viewpoint, Inc.
The Supreme Court and Abortion
Although a plurality of Americans say that the Supreme Court should leave abortion laws
pretty much the way they are now, substantial percentages call for the Court to overturn
Roe V Wade and either a) develop a national abortion policy that would apply to all states
(28%) or b) overturn the decision and allow individual states to decide whether or not
to restrict abortion (19%).
Position on Abortion Laws
39%
Leave Laws the Same
26%
Overtum Roe V. Wade
awas
LIVE
States
Develop Nart Policy
Behav. GOP
32%
31%
25%
Tick-Splitter
41
26
18
Behav. Dem.
44
29
16
Men 18-44
39
32
21
Men 45+
35
32
18
Overtum Roe V. Wade
19%
Women 18-44 46
24
20
Allow State Decision
Women 45+
33
26
18
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
AMERICAN/DEWPOUNT
April 1992
14
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Check Bouncing
Most Americans (60%) say they wouldn't vote to reelect their Congressman if he or she
clearly abused the system by bouncing a lot of checks. Another 15% say that a few
bounced checks wouldn't affect their vote. A core of 18% say that they wouldn't vote
for their Congressmen if even a few checks have been bounced. We don't believe that
there is a magic number of checks that constitutes abuse in the minds of voters. One
person may have bounced four checks for $8,000 while another bounced 40 for a grand
total of $2,000. It appears that each individual situation will be unique.
Check-Bouncing Scandal
60%
Wont Vote, if Clearly Abused
18%
Most Likely - Won't Vote
Wont Vota. if Even a Few
If Even a Few
27%
Vote to Replace
21%
New Person
21%
Women 18-14
22%
GOP Women
Anyone Can Make a Mistake
15%
22%
Pacific
22%
South Atlantic
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
AMERICAN/ESWPORT
April 1992
Although most voters say that check bouncing has to be a "clear abuse of the system"
before it will be the determining factor in their vote, that is a very subjective term.
Challengers will have a much easier time making the link between a few bounced checks
and the overall problem with Congress than incumbents will have in educating voters
about their particular situation. However, this education process has to take place in
order to show that the incumbent's actions were not an abuse of the system.
15
American Viewpoint, Inc.
CAMPAIGN THEMES
This section explores some of the themes that are likely to emerge from challenger
campaigns this year. As the following data indicate, all are very effective in the present
environment.
Seniority Versus Change
The first question pairs the argument for the value of an incumbent's seniority against
the challenger's time for a change argument. The following chart indicates what happens
to the "corridors of power" argument.
Which candidate would you be more likely to vote for?
Congressman Smith feels he should be reelected because of his experience
and his position on a powerful Congressional committee. His power in
Congress has allowed him to bring a great deal of federal money and
projects back to the district. He points out that the people in the district
will lose his clout in Washington if he is not reelected.
Mr. Jones feels that it is time for a change. He argues that since
Congressman Smith went to Congress 12 years ago, taxes have gone up, the
deficit has grown, and problems such as education, health care, and the
economy have only gotten worse. He feels that the only way to bring about
a real change is to elect new people who aren't part of the Washington
establishment.
Much More Smith
5%
TOTAL SMITH
15%
Little More Smith
10%
TOTAL JONES
77%
Little More Jones
24%
Much More Jones
53%
16
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Blame the Bank Versus Personal Responsibility
Another potential attack on check bouncing goes after the excuse that banks were poorly
run, Congressmen weren't notified when checks bounced, and deposits weren't recorded
on time. The chart below outlines the arguments fully.
Which candidate would you be more likely to vote for?
Congressman Smith admitted that he bounced about 30 checks at the
House bank He says he is sorry, but you really can't blame him for
bouncing a few checks. After all, the bank was poorly run, Congressmen
weren't notified when their checks bounced, and their deposits weren't even
recorded on time.
Mr. Jones says that blaming the bank is a poor excuse. After all it was
the Congress' bank and they made up the rules and hired the people who
ran it. Everyone else has to keep track of how much money they have in the
bank before writing checks and Congress shouldn't be treated any
differently.
Much More Smith
3%
TOTAL SMITH
12%
Little More Smith
9%
TOTAL JONES
79%
Little More Jones
19%
Much More Jones
60%
17
American Viewpoint, Inc.
PAC Contributions
Which candidate would you be more likely to vote for?
Congressman Smith receives almost half of his campaign contributions
from Political Action Committees. He argues that running for Congress is
very expensive, and besides these political action committees represent
groups he supports such as business, labor, environmental groups, and
teachers' associations.
Mr. Jones feels that political action committees have far too much
influence on Congress. He feels that you can't take money from political
action committees and truly represent the people. For that reason, he
refuses to accept any contributions from these PACs.
Much More Smith
6%
TOTAL SMITH
17%
Little More Smith
11%
TOTAL JONES
71%
Little More Jones
24%
Much More Jones
47%
The following groups have majorities saying "much more Jones":
Republican Women
53%
Independent Men
54%
Republicans 18-44
53%
Independents 45+ +
53%
Aged 30-44
51%
Aged 55-64
51%
Men 45+
54%
Disapprove of Congress
52%
Disapprove of Own Congressman
54%
18
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Vote for An Outsider
The politicians in office today aren't going to change anything.
All they can do is defend the status quo. The only way for a
real change to occur is to vote for someone else.
Legend
Strongly
Somewhat
Disagree
23%
33%
Agree
28%
33%
61%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
Strongly agree responses by age:
18-29
18%
30-44
24%
45-54
34%
55-64
40%
65+
41%
19
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Congress Doesn't Listen
The entire political system is broken. It's run by insiders who
don't listen to working people and are incapable of solving our problems.
Legend
Strongly
Somewhat
Disagree
18%
26%
Agree
32%
73%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
AMERICANVIEWPOINT
April 1992
Strongly agree responses by age:
18-29
37%
30-44
38%
45-54
41%
55-64
48%
65+
48%
20
American Viewpoint, Inc.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Check bouncing is the most volatile issue currently faced by incumbents. In this
environment, voters tend to be very unforgiving. They will be especially unforgiving if
those who have bounced checks blame the bank (without a thorough description of the
particulars), act like there is nothing wrong, hedge their comments, or underestimate the
total number of checks involved. Get this behind you as soon as you possibly can by
going directly to the voters with a reasonable explanation of what happened.
2.
To the American people, however, check bouncing at the House bank is only a symptom
of what is wrong. The public believes that the government, and Congress in particular,
is no longer serving people but it simply perpetuating its own existence. Reform
messages and proposals are very effective. The numbers we have listed in this report
clearly indicate that incumbent members of Congress should consider themselves in
danger because of the volatile mood that exists in the country today.
3.
The desire for change and anti-incumbency sentiment currently offers no partisan
advantage. The anti-institutional sentiment can easily be personalized by the voters.
4.
We believe that the winners in this cycle will be agents of change while losers will tout
their past accomplishments and be defenders of the status quo.
5.
Winners will run their campaigns differently. Losers will follow the same patterns they
have followed in the past.
6.
Winners will show themselves listening to their constituencies, defining their agenda for
the future, and talking about reforms in the House and in the nation. Losers will be
statesmanlike, speak in legislative language that people cannot understand and talk about
overturning or sustaining vetoes. They will avoid debates and one-on-one campaigning.
7.
Winners will make sure they have a finely tuned mechanism for targeting their coalition's
voters and getting them to the polls. Losers will count on the high presidential turnout
to include their voters.
8.
Winners will try new techniques such as participating in call-in radio shows back home,
holding town meetings, participating in local events, or even buying groceries at the
market or shooting baskets at the local playground.
9.
Voters want to see action on the economy, jobs, and health care. They couldn't care less
about partisan infighting. They want Congress to do something. Winners will find a
way to reach out and speak to women's audiences. They will dare to talk about things
like economic competitiveness, educational choice, and health care solutions.
21
American Viewpoint, Inc.
10.
We asked respondents "what would your Congressman have to do differently this year
to earn your vote." Their responses emphasize performance, straight talk, and listening
to the people.
If you had a chance to tell your
Congressman one thing that he or
she should do differently this year
in order to earn your vote, it
would be
Poor Performance
51%
manage money better
9%
be more honest
8%
do something
7%
concentrate on domestic issues
7%
listen to the people
6%
no pay raises
5%
Economy
29%
create more jobs
9%
reduce national debt
7%
cut taxes
6%
Social Issues
28%
health care
7%
education
5%
help the poor and middle class
5%
22
American Viewpoint, Inc.
Methodology
American Viewpoint conducted telephone interviews with 1,000 randomly selected adult
Americans nationwide between March 28 and April 1, 1992. All polls are subject to
errors caused by interviewing a sample of persons rather than the entire population. In
95 out of 100 cases, the responses to this survey should be within + 3.2 percent of those
that would have been obtained from interviewing the adult population in the United
States. The data contained herein are the property of American Viewpoint, Inc., and are
not to be duplicated without permission.
For more information contact:
American Viewpoint, Inc.
300 N. Washington Street, Suite 505
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 684-3325/FAX (703) 684-9295
Linda DiVall, President
Gary Ferguson, Vice President
23
03/31/92
15:20
357 6402
Z
5.
001
Standards
To Lamar Alexander
From Diane Ravitch
Whenever we talk about standards, we should bear in mind the twin
themes of equity and excellence. Many people are fearful of
standards because they think that we intend to raise standards so
high that only the best can leap over the new hurdle; they think
that failure will multiply and poor kids will be even more
disadvantaged.
Their concern occurs within the context of a situation in which
most black and Hispanic and disadvantaged kids today never take
the courses in math and science that they need for college or for
technical careers. Our challenge is to argue that all kids should
be encouraged to meet new, high standards, to take the courses
that ready them for work or further study. The obligation of the
schools is to provide all kids equal opportunity to learn.
Other critics are afraid that standards mean that everything will
become uniform or "standardized. If Nothing could be farther from
the truth. Standards are not rigid rules; they are not a
prescription that will lock every teacher into doing the same
thing at the same hour. Instead, they are A SET OF GUIDELINES
THAT ESTABLISH A VISION OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN WE
CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO IMPROVE TEACHING AND TO STRIVE FOR HIGHER
LEVELS OF EFFECTIVENESS.
Historically, we have avoided the hard challenge of asking
ourselves how to teach math and science and other subjects so
that all children can learn it. We have avoided the challenge by
dividing kids into tracks, teaching the good stuff to the
college-bound (though often in static, rote memory ways) and
simply diluting or dumbing down what we teach everybody else.
The math teachers have faced up to the challenge: The NCTM
standards point the way to active learning, inquiry learning,
students as investigators, problem-solving, a thinking curriculum
that motivates kids to try to figure hard things out. Good
teachers in every area of the curriculum are doing the same
thing; the same thing has to happen in every subject, on a
national level, so that we can begin to fulfill our American
ideal of equal educational opportunity.
We can't afford the status quo; we can't afford to continue
wasting the minds and talents of so many of our young people.
They need to know that we expect all of them to learn, and that
our schools are organized to support high levels of achievement.
Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
# of pages
\
To
Co.
Leslye
Co. From DATTY/Diane
Dept.
Phone #
Fax #
Fax #
03/31/92
14:22
357 6402
Z
001
amriculum fromework
Talking points for Lamar re ASCD:
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
consists of many thousands (I think about 180,000) administrators
in the public schools. They will play an important role in
efforts to set high standards and to establish new curriculum
frameworks. They are probably used to the phenomenon of new
curricula appearing, being filed away, and never used in the
classroom. What Lamar must do is let them know that we see the
movement for high standards and new curriculum frameworks as the
engine of educational reform.
1. We are support the development of high national standards in
every important subject taught in the schools: math, science,
history, geography, civics, the arts, and other subjects as well.
As a department, we have required that each of these standard-
setting activities must be a broad consensus project that hears
all the many different voices in the field and then works
collaboratively to raise our sights about what all children
should be expected to know and be able to do.
2. We know that this approach works to improve teacher eduation,
teacher training, and textbooks, because the NCTM has led the
way. Math teachers across the nation are learning better ways to
teach math to all children and to reach higher levels of
achievement, because the math teachers of America--with support
from the Dept and NSF--went through the long, hard job of setting
high standards and describing ways to reach those standards.
3. The Dept intends to support states that want to establish K-12
curriculum frameworks, so that all children have the opportunity
to learn what they need to know to be educated, literate citizens
of the world. We know that at present, many children don't take
all the math and science that they should take, don't study
foreign languages or world history. We hope that every state will
take seriously their obligation to raise educational standards
for all children.
4. We hope that the states will use their K-12 curriculum
frameworks as a basis for reforming teacher education, staff
development, textbooks, and assessment. This is called SYSTEMIC
reform. It means that we have to start by deciding what we want
children to know and be able to do, and that the rest of the
education system must change SQ that teachers are prepared to
teach to world class standards, so that staff development is
available so that teachers can learn about how to reach higher
standards, and so that new assessments are developed that are
based on the curriculum and on world class standards.
5. We have a lot to do to improve our education system. Business
as usual won't do it. We have to set our sights higher; we have
to realize the dream of equal educational opportunity by doing
reach. things we have never done before. But none of it is out of our
Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
# of pages 1
To
Co.
Leslye
Co. From DATTY/Diane
Dept.
Phone #
Fax #
Fax #
03/31/92
15:20
357 6402
Z
5.
001
Standards
To Lamar Alexander
From Diane Ravitch
Whenever we talk about standards, we should bear in mind the twin
themes of equity and excellence. Many people are fearful of
standards because they think that we intend to raise standards so
high that only the best can leap over the new hurdle; they think
that failure will multiply and poor kids will be even more
disadvantaged.
Their concern occurs within the context of a situation in which
most black and Hispanic and disadvantaged kids today never take
the courses in math and science that they need for college or for
technical careers. Our challenge is to argue that all kids should
be encouraged to meet new, high standards, to take the courses
that ready them for work or further study. The obligation of the
schools is to provide all kids equal opportunity to learn.
Other critics are afraid that standards mean that everything will
become uniform or "standardized. IT Nothing could be farther from
the truth. Standards are not rigid rules; they are not a
prescription that will lock every teacher into doing the same
thing at the same hour. Instead, they are A SET OF GUIDELINES
THAT ESTABLISH A VISION OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN WE
CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO IMPROVE TEACHING AND TO STRIVE FOR HIGHER
LEVELS OF EFFECTIVENESS.
Historically, we have avoided the hard challenge of asking
ourselves how to teach math and science and other subjects so
that all children can learn it. We have avoided the challenge by
dividing kids into tracks, teaching the good stuff to the
college-bound (though often in static, rote memory ways) and
simply diluting or dumbing down what we teach everybody else.
The math teachers have faced up to the challenge: The NCTM
standards point the way to active learning, inquiry learning,
students as investigators, problem-solving, a thinking curriculum
that motivates kids to try to figure hard things out. Good
teachers in every area of the curriculum are doing the same
thing; the same thing has to happen in every subject, on a
national level, so that we can begin to fulfill our American
ideal of equal educational opportunity.
We can't afford the status quo; we can't afford to continue
wasting the minds and talents of so many of our young people.
They need to know that we expect all of them to learn, and that
our schools are organized to support high levels of achievement.
Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
# of pages
\
To
Co.
Leslye
Co. From DATTY/Diane
Dept.
Phone #
Fax #
Fax #
03/31/92 14:22
357 6402
Z
001
Cirriculum fromework
Talking points for Lamar re ASCD:
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
consists of many thousands (I think about 180,000) administrators
in the public schools. They will play an important role in
efforts to set high standards and to establish new curriculum
frameworks. They are probably used to the phenomenon of new
curricula appearing, being filed away, and never used in the
classroom. What Lamar must do is let them know that we see the
movement for high standards and new curriculum frameworks as the
engine of educational reform.
1. We are support the development of high national standards in
every important subject taught in the schools: math, science,
history, geography, civics, the arts, and other subjects as well.
As a department, we have required that each of these standard-
setting activities must be a broad consensus project that hears
all the many different voices in the field and then works
collaboratively to raise our sights about what all children
should be expected to know and be able to do.
2. We know that this approach works to improve teacher eduation,
teacher training, and textbooks, because the NCTM has led the
way. Math teachers across the nation are learning better ways to
teach math to all children and to reach higher levels of
achievement, because the math teachers of America-with support
from the Dept and NSF--went through the long, hard job of setting
high standards and describing ways to reach those standards.
3. The Dept intends to support states that want to establish K-12
curriculum frameworks, so that all children have the opportunity
to learn what they need to know to be educated, literate citizens
of the world. We know that at present, many children don't take
all the math and science that they should take, don't study
foreign languages or world history. We hope that every state will
take seriously their obligation to raise educational standards
for all children.
4. We hope that the states will use their K-12 curriculum
frameworks as a basis for reforming teacher education, staff
development, textbooks, and assessment. This is called SYSTEMIC
reform. It means that we have to start by deciding what we want
children to know and be able to do, and that the rest of the
education system must change SQ that teachers are prepared to
teach to world class standards, so that staff development is
available so that teachers can learn about how to reach higher
standards, and so that new assessments are developed that are
based on the curriculum and on world class standards.
5. We have a lot to do to improve our education system. Business
as usual won't do it. We have to set our sights higher; we have
to realize the dream of equal educational opportunity by doing
reach. things we have never done before. But none of it is out of our
Post-It™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
# of pages
1
To
Co.
Leslye
Co. From DATTY/Diane
Dept.
Phone #
Fax #
Fax #