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Riley used the school's success with FIRST to underscore to students the
importance of technology in education. "Technology opens up many
opportunities for learning," he said. "Students at Pontiac Central understan
di
that."
Pontiac Central has earned numerous achievements since partnering with
Delphi Automotive Systems three years ago. The "Chief Delphi" team won three
regionals this year, won the coveted "Chairman's Award" in 1997, and earned
the national "Rookie All-Star" award in 1996.
"We're really proud of our association with the school and with the city of
Pontiac," said Rodney O'Neal, Delphi general manager. "You can get intereste
d in math and science by reading a textbook, but to get really excited about
these subjects and to envision a career in these fields, there's no substitut
e
for FIRST."
FIRST, which stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology," is an international program designed to get high school students
as enthused about science, math and technology as an athletic competition.
FIRST joins engineers and students together for a specific mission: To
design, engineer and construct a fully functional robot, built from a kit tha
t
includes a control system, electrical components, motors, batteries, and othe
r
hardware in six weeks.
Delphi Automotive Systems, which has supported FIRST since its inception in
1992, sponsored five teams this year, including high schools in Pontiac, Flin
t
and Saginaw, Mich.; Warren, Ohio; and Kokomo, Ind., which won FIRST's Nationa
I
Championship competition in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month.
Earlier this year, to help the non-profit group expand its reach further,
Delphi and General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) donated $500,000, and Delphi
President J.T. Battenberg III joined FIRST's board of directors.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is the
world's most diversified supplier of automotive components and systems. With
the recent integration of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, Delphi operates
208 manufacturing facilities, 46 ventures and 27 technical centers in 36
countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.
Delphi can now be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com. 14:37
EDTn
Publication#W\ P}P# 130. Xinhua English Newswire"Publication" #:\ P}P# 04/27/
98 Category: Press release
Headline#\ P}P# Clinton Administration Supports
Bilingual EducationHeadline #:
P}P#
Clinton administration will send officials to California to stop a measure th
at they said
would dismantle the state's bilingual education programs and affec
t minority children's basic
skills.
Opposing a Proposition 227 that would replace a multiplicity of bilingual educa
tion
programs with a one-year course of instruction taught mostly in English, M
arshal Smith,
acting deputy secretary of the Education Department , said the m
ove would leave school
children without needed skills, including ones that will
help them find jobs in the future.
The one-year immersion structure... is a major mistake, Smith said. "The moveme
nt
under way in California is not based in sound policy or research."
The administration suggests an alternative with a nationwide goal of limiting m
ost
children's participation in bilingual programs to three years.
Education Secretary Richard Riley said in a statement that Proposition 227 wa
S not the
way to go and it "will lead to fewer children learning English and ma
ny children falling
further behind in their studies."
Smith said, current law calls for, but does not require, non-English-speaking c
hildren to
go through three to five years of bilingual education.
At present, about 3.2 million students have limited English skills, and 1.3 mil
lion are in
local and state bilingual programs, the Education Department said.
Of some 5 million California public school students in kindergarten through the
12th
grade, about 1.4 million have limited English proficiency.n
Publication#W\ P}P# 131. U.S. Newswire "Publication" #:\ P}P# 04/27/98 Categor
y: Press release
Headline#\
P}P# Education Secretary Statement on
Helping all Children Learn En
glish Headline #:\ P}P#
WASHINGTON, April 27 /U.S. Newswire/' Following is a statement by U.S. Educ
ation
Secretary Richard W. Riley on "Helping all Children Learn English" (Part
1 of 2):
As we look to the future of American education, one of the most important new
d
evelopments is the growing number of immigrant children that we must educate.
According to the latest census data, nearly 20 percent of all children in our n
ation's schools
" one out of five are immigrants or the American-born childre
n of immigrants.
A new study of immigrant children (note 1) states that 13.7 million children un
der 18 are
either immigrants or the American-born offspring of immigrants, and
that they are the fastest
growing part of our student population. These childre
n come from over 150 nations with the
largest number coming from Mexico, the Ph
illippines, Cuba, and Vietnam.
Some Americans say that these children are a liability, but I welcome these chi
Idren, just
as the Statue of Liberty or the Golden Gate Bridge has welcomed the
m for years. They are
a great source of strength and hope for the future of Am
erica, and we want them to be full
participants in the American experience as c
hildren and as adults.
These young people, just like generations of immigrants who have come before th
em, can
grow up to be patriotic Americans who will add their voices to our demo
cracy if we educate
them to the best of our ability and treat them as we would
like to be treated. Indeed, the
largest survey ever conducted of immigrant chi
Idren found that these young people had
higher grades and a lower school drop-o
ut rate than other children and overwhelmingly
preferred to speak English by th
e time they were teenagers. (note 2).
These young people represent the hopes of immigrant parents who have come to Am
erica
because they believe in the American dream. They have stood in long visa
lines, uprooted
their families, left relatives behind, changed careers, often a
ccepted menial jobs and in many
cases now work two jobs for one great purpose'
to give their children a better life in
America. Surely we can meet these peo
ple half-way by giving their children the best
education possible so that they
can make their contribution to the American mainstream.
Teaching these young people English is one of the great tasks of nation-buildin
g and it
falls to our public schools to accomplish. This is not the first time
that the task of educating
millions of new immigrants to become good citizens h
as been given to our nation's public
schools. At the turn of the century our n
ation's public schools successfully taught millions
of new immigrants English a
nd educated them about our democracy.
Today, we face the same challenge. There are school districts in almost every p
art of our
country from Boston to Seattle to Miami where children speak mor
e than 40
languages. I believe that our nation's public schools can successfull
y educate these young
people if we give them the same opportunities that other
students need in order to succeed:
higher standards, safe schools, smaller clas
ses, well-prepared teachers, technology in the
classroom, after-school activiti
es, and schools that are accountable for results.
President Clinton has made education his number one domestic priority to achiev
e one
end to prepare all of America's children native-born and immigrant"
for the 21st
century. President Clinton has also increased funding for those pr
ograms Title I,
immigrant and bilingual education, migrant education, adult e
ducation that directly serve
a disproportionate number of immigrant children
and their families.
Today, however, there are growing questions about the best way to teach these y
oung
people English. In California, these concerns about how to teach English c
enter around
Proposition 227, the Unz Initiative, which would effectively elimi
nate bilingual education
and require that all children learn English in one yea
r.
I recognize that the decision to vote for or against the Unz Initiative this co
ming June is
ultimately a decision for the voters of California. I know that th
ere are many
well-intentioned and concerned citizens on both sides of this issu
e and that the people of
California are taking this issue seriously.
New immigrants have a passion to learn English and they want the best for their
children.
We must focus on what is best for the children and in this increasin
gly diverse society wemust make sure that all of America's children are given t
he best education possible. Our
common goal in teaching children English should
be to support those approaches that ensure
that Limited-English-Proficient (LE
P) children are both speaking English and making
academic progress.
Proposition 227, however, is not the way to go. In my opinion, adoption of the
Unz
Amendment will lead to fewer children learning English and many children fa
Iling further
behind in their studies. There are five significant reasons why I
believe that the Unz
Amendment is counter-productive to a quality education fo
r all of our children.
First, the one year time limit and one-size-fits-all approach to learning Engli
sh flies in the
face of years of research that tells us that children learn in
different ways and at different
speeds. A recent National Research Council rep
ort (note 3) released last month states that,
"hurrying young non-English speak
ing children into reading in English without ensuring
adequate preparation is c
ounter-productive." The report recommends that children with no
English profici
ency are best taught to read English by first being taught reading in their
nat
ive language, if teachers and instructional materials in their native language
are available.
Thus, while an English-only approach may be effective for some
limited-English-
proficient children, it is likely to be ineffective for others. I do not oppose
special English instructional programs. In fact, about 25 percent of our curre
nt federal
bilingual funds support this type of instructional approach. What I
question is the arbitrary
one-year time limit and the demand that only this ap
proach is the right approach to help
young people learn English.
The approach taken by Proposition 227 simply ignores the individual needs of ea
ch child
and certainly is an educational straitjacket for teachers and parents.
Good teaching starts
with a child's needs and moves the child along in a timel
y and responsible manner.
By analogy, if we adopted the approach suggested by the Unz Initiative to help
children
learn to read, it would be a disaster. Some children are already good
readers when they come
to kindergarten and others learn by the end of the first
or second grades. Other children need
extra help even in third grade and beyon
d.
Second, the Unz Amendment limits the discretion of teachers to choose the appro
ach that
is best suited for the children they teach. Some children may learn be
st in an English-only
class, others may learn faster in a bilingual class or th
rough some other proven approach,
but with the Unz approach, teachers are given
no option to use their professional judgement.
Third, Proposition 227 would subject teachers, school board members, and educat
ional
administrators to personal liability in litigation by parents if they fai
1 to comply with its
requirements. I find this aspect of Proposition 227 both p
unitive and threatening. This is not
the way to build parent-teacher cooperatio
n a key to student success.
Fourth, the Unz Initiative is a direct attack on local control of education. I
am surprised
that so many outspoken advocates of local control have chosen not
to take issue with this
fundamental flaw in the Unz Initiative. The Unz Initia
tive would not be a helping hand for
language instruction, but rather the heavy
hand of overregulation. Local flexibility to
choose the approaches that work
best for their students should not be constrained by a
mandate for one approach
over the other. I believe that every school district should choose
the approac
h that works best for them based on sound research.
Fifth, the Unz Initiative will in all likelihood result in problems under feder
al civil rights
laws. In the seminal case of Lau V. Nichols, the Supreme Court
interpreted Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act to require school districts to ta
ke steps to ensure that national origin
minority students with limited English
proficiency can effectively participate in the regular
educational program.
Similarly, the Equal Educational Opportunity Act requires public educational ag
encies
to overcome language barriers that impede student participation in their
instructional
programs. Limiting special language development instruction to
one year and preventing
a school from providing bilingual instruction to studen
ts, despite the judgment of teachers
and the school principal that children in
that school need bilingual instruction to progress,
are likely to result in vio
lations under these laws.
I join all Californians who are unhappy with the status-quo and I understand th
e
frustration that is encouraging many voters to think about voting for the Unz
Initiative. But
the approach of the Unz Initiative is just plain wrong. Propo
sition 227 may satisfy people's
sense of frustration but ultimately it is count
er-productive to our common goal of making
sure children learn English while ma
king academic progress in other subjects as well.
I believe that there is a reasonable and positive alternative to the current st
atus-quo and
the proposed Unz alternative.
I propose setting a three-year goal to make sure that a child is learning Engli
sh.
Individual differences and circumstances may cause some children to take lo
nger, but a goal
of learning English within three years is reasonable. This goa
I is similar to our goal of
making sure that every child learns to read indepen
dently by the end of third grade or earlier.
We know that goals and standards
improve academic performance: when we set goals, we
find, to a greater degree t
han we thought possible, that students can meet them.
A goal is not a mandate or a command. And a goal is certainly not a one year ed
ucational
straitjacket that limits the ability of teachers to do what is best f
or each child. Some children
may learn English in one year or two and others m
ay need three years or even more. The
focus should be on the individual needs o
each child and not on some artificial and arbitrary
time frame.
Goals should be combined with flexibility and accountability. I believe in givi
ng local
school districts latitude to design their own programs contingent on t
heir being accountable
for the results. Parents have a right to expect progress
Children should be tested periodically
for English proficiency and when a chi
Id is falling behind, extra efforts including
after-school classes as well as S
ummer school should certainly be considered.
If a school district chooses an approach to teaching English that simply does n
ot achieve
positive results for a large number of children, then the school dis
trict must have the good
sense to fix the problem or use another approach that
research shows will work. The focus
of every program " be it English-as-a-Secon
d Language, dual language immersion,
bilingual education, or English immersion
" must be on strengthening quality, regardless
of the approach.
I believe that the key to strengthening quality is well-trained teachers and we
must do a
much better job of meeting the demand for more well-prepared teacher
S. The demand for
bilingual teachers, for example, currently exceeds the supply
and that is particularly true in
California where the number of LEP children h
as nearly doubled to 1.3 million in less than
a decade. The California State Bo
ard of Education estimates that there is a shortage of
21,000 bilingual teacher
S in that state.
This, I suspect, is one of the root causes and real reasons why some parents ha
ve become
frustrated. The Administration has asked for a doubling of federal fu
nds, from $25 million
to $50 million, to meet the increasing demand for fully c
ertified bilingual teachers and
English-as-second-language teachers.
I have no doubt that this nation has the capacity to include our many new immig
rants and
their children in the American experience. We must do everything poss
ible to make sure that
all of these children learn English as quickly as possib
le and get the quality education that
they deserve.
Finally, I think American educators need to redouble their efforts to make sure
that all
of our children are fluent in two languages. I just returned from Chi
le where I joined
President Clinton at the second Summit of the Americas. Impro
ving education was a central
part of the dialogue at this summit. I was struck
by the fact that several nations begin
teaching their children two languages st
arting in the first grade.
Anyone who has traveled to Europe knows that young people all over Europe are f
luent
in two and often three languages. I see no reason why our children should
not be their
equals. Some children already come to school with the ability to
speak two languages. We
should build on this linguistic base and recognize that
our nation will be the better for it in
the new global environment.
Think of the many advantages economic, cultural and political that a fluenc
y in two
languages can give to the American people. America's message of democr
acy, human rights
and economic freedom would surely reach a wider audience. Thi
S is why I encourage and
support any school district that sets the goal of maki
ng sure that every one of their high
school graduates will speak two languages
fluently by the time they graduate.
We can do no less for today's immigrants than we did for earlier generations of
immigrants who turned to our nation's public schools to teach them English and
the basics
of our democracy. In conclusion, I urge all Americans to welcome Am
erica's new citizens
and to help them to become part of the American dream.
n
END ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 2
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TEXT:
Unable to convert ARMS_EXT:[ATTACH.D88]ARMSZZ000KM65.001 to ASCII,
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END ATTACHMENT 2
Daily Education News
Tuesday, April 28, 1998
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Public Affairs
FB-10B, Room 2200 . 401-1576
Carlin Hertz, Editor
This compilation of news reports contains copyrighted materials obtained through licensing agreements
and is intended solely for the use of department employees.
What Follows
NATIONAL
1. Associated Press
Administration to campaign against California proposition
2. The Washington Post
Education Dept. Faults Anti-Bilingual Measure
3. The New York Times
White House to Fight California Initiative to Ban Bilingual Classes
4. Los Angeles Times
Wilson Leaning Toward Support of Unz Measure
5. USA Today
White House decries Calif. Ballot measure
6. San Francisco Chronicle
Education Secretary Blasts Proposition 227
7. San Francisco Examiner
Clinton will stump against Prop. 227
8. Sacramento Bee
Prop. 227 to lure Clinton to state: Wilson says he 'leans' toward it
9. Washington Times
Clinton fights move to curtail bilingual education
10. Inside Politics (CNN)
Clinton Enters Debate Over Bilingual Education
11. All Things Considered (NPR)
Clinton Administration Opposes Prop 227
12. Good Morning America (ABC)
BILINGUAL EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA
13. The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal NBC News Poll
14. The Wall Street Journal
Black Lawmakers Seek Tough Tobacco Bill as Teen Smoking Rises
15. Associated Press
Minority health groups want tougher tobacco settlement
16. Philadelphia Inquirer
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White House and GOP feud on minority youth smoking
17. Los Angeles Times
Minority Teens Bucking Trend
18. The Washington Post
Clinton Calls For Unity to Curb Youth Smoking
19. Boston Globe
Teenage smoking up sharply
20. USA Today
Calif. students face tough balancing act
21. U.S. News & World Report
The new education bazaar
22. CyberTimes (New York Times on the web)
Study Shows Students Use Internet Primarily for Research
23. Dow Jones News Service
GOP May Attach Student Loan Plan To Mid-Year Spending Bill
24. Good Morning America (ABC)
PARENT TO PARENT
25. Morning Edition (NPR)
School-to-Work Programs
26. The Wall Street Journal
GOP Angers White House by Loading Spending Measure With Amendments
27. Associated Press
Vice president wants more Internet access for schools
28. Wisconsin State Journal
Milestone
29. The Kansas City Star
One of a select few
30. The Capital Times
WEST HIGH SENIOR IS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
31. The Seattle Times
BAINBRIDGE, SNOHOMISH STUDENTS NAMED SCHOLARS
32. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
UPPER ST. CLAIR STUDENT NAMED PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
33. The Washington Post
Students Named Presidential Scholars
34. Associated Press
Two Alaskans named Presidential Scholars
35. Associated Press
Montanans among 141 high school seniors chosen as 1998 Presidential Scholars
36. Associated Press
Two Nevada high school seniors among 141 1998 Presidential Scholars
37. Associated Press
Grand Forks, Fargo students 1998 Presidential Scholars
38. Associated Press
Wyoming high school seniors named 1998 Presidential Scholars
39. Associated Press
Virginia high school students are among this year's 141 Presidential Scholars
40. Associated Press
Students from Jackson and Hattiesburg named Presidential Scholars
41. Associated Press
Columbia, Chapin high schoolers named Presidential Scholars
42. Associated Press
Three Oklahoma students named presidential scholars
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43. U.S. News & World Report
Sugar daddies for charters
TRADE
44. LRP Publications
Senate Passes Coverdell Education Savings Account Bill
45. Education Week
Black Students Found Less Likely To Access The Internet
46. Education Week
GOP Reading Proposal Approved During Debate in Senate
47. Education Week
Bill Previews Future Education Policy Battles
48. Chronicle of Higher Education - Academe Today
Welfare-Law Changes Lead 2-Year Colleges to Alter Ways They Serve Needy Students
49. Chronicle of Higher Education -- Academe Today
House Leaders Find $1-Billion to Finance Key Provision of Higher-Education Bill
50. CongressDaily/A.M.
Supporters Of Student Loan `Fix' Looking For Offsets
51. American Banker
House Aye Due Wednesday for Cheaper Student Loans
LOCAL
52. San Francisco Chronicle
Part-Time Instructors Busy Working Overtime
53. Orlando Sentinel
GED hopefuls must wait because of stolen tests
54. Memphis Commercial Appeal
Soggy parents rip school policy
55. Charleston Post & Courier
Sheheen: Racial accord key to saving schools
56. Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fight over school testing heats up; scores out Thursday
57. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2 schools here ban clothing from 'South Park' show
58. Richmond Times Dispatch
School fund bid likely facing trim
59. Baltimore Sun
Special education in city schools pushed to the back of the bus again
60. Baltimore Sun
Baltimore schools shift on reading texts
61. Bergen Record
Not all colleges want to be universities
62. New York Daily News
Gov Is Too Cutting, Say Schools Advocates
63. Hartford Courant
National Group Taps Local Educator
64. Boston Globe
Special ed reform ignored in House budget
65. Associated Press
No honor for student mom
66. Christian Science Monitor
Schools Slam the Door on Hallway Lockers
67. Christian Science Monitor
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What Happens When They Teach the ABCs?
68. Lancaster New Era
Classmates nicknamed him 'Satan'
69. Raleigh News & Observer
Government to probe Wake for racial bias in special education
70. U.S. News & World Report
Vouchers for good and ill Do they work?
71. Newport Daily Press
Virginia's College of William and Mary Raises Out-of-State, Graduate Tuition
72. The Pueblo Chieftain
Colorado Lawmakers Turn Attention to School Funding
73. Indian Country Today
South Dakota School Principal Offends Some American Indian Workers
74. Los Angeles Times
School Office for Instruction Is Reorganized
75. Los Angeles Times
Having Devil of a Time Breaking With Tradition
76. Los Angeles Times
Tax-Free Education Accounts Met With Hope and Concern
77. The Washington Post
D.C. May Boost Education Funding
78. The Washington Post
Plan for Nine Schools Seeks to Avert Takeover
79. The New York Times
Hempstead School District Is Failing Its Students, Group Asserts
80. The New York Times
Divorced Husband Makes Her Unfit, Priest Says
81. The New York Times
Budget Cuts For Schools Draw Protests
82. The New York Times
Another School Funding Suit Creates a 3-Ring Legal Circus
83. Associated Press
Parent of Heath High victim says shootings share traits, need action
84. Denver Post
Bilingual school's students double their knowledge
INTERNATIONAL
85. The Economist
The summiteers go to school
86. The Economist
Private education: Money no object
87. Christian Science Monitor
Mathematics Educators: Make Use of Technology
88. London Guardian
Those great expectations
89. London Guardian
Still more to be done
90. Sydney Morning Herald
Now lower income families choose private schools
91. Sydney Morning Herald
Today's lesson: how private can pay off
92. London Daily Telegraph
Parents can demand that class sizes be cut
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93. London Daily Telegraph
Teachers attack drugs education for infants
94. Financial Times
Government campaign to target schoolchildren
95. Associated Press
Japan to implement new plan
COMMENTARY
96. The Baltimore Sun
Republican, White House battle on education a play for votes
97. The Newark Star-Ledger
Whitman plan would harm higher education
98. The Charleston Gazette
Read to Me Day
99. The Las Vegas Review-Journal
Casinos vs. schools
100. Portland Oregonian
CHARTER SCHOOLS IMPROVE EDUCATION THROUGH COMPETITION AND
CHOICE
101. The Columbus Dispatch
PROPOSAL IS WRONG WAY TO PAY FOR EDUCATION
102. San Antonio Express-News
Affirmative action need starts early
103. Philadelphia Inquirer
The threat to take over Philadelphia's schools
104. Orlando Sentinel
15 YEARS LATER, A NATION AND ITS SCHOOLS STILL AT RISK
105. Orlando Sentinel
BILINGUAL EDUCATION TRANSLATES INTO A REAL PLUS FOR EVERYONE
106. Chicago Tribune
MINORITY WOES AT UIC MEDICAL SCHOOL
107. The Washington Post
The Educational Importance of Race
108. The New York Times
After-School Help
109. The Wall Street Journal
Let Those Who Can, Teach
110. The New York Times
Be Careful What You Wish For
111. Boston Globe
Back to basics in the schools? Then start with children's health
EDITORIAL
112. San Francisco Chronicle
Clinton Takes Stand Against Prop. 227
113. Los Angeles Daily News
ROBBING FROM THE POOR
114. The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union
Dogless in D.C.
115. The Raleigh News & Observer
Campus cast-offs?
116. The Las Vegas Review-Journal
More valuable diplomas?
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117. The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union
Pay the best more
118. Allentown Morning Call
NO MORE MONEY FOR PHILADELPHIA
119. The Northern New Jersey Record
THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BAN SOME CONSERVATIVES RECONSIDER
THEIR POSITION
120. Buffalo News
STATE IS CUTTING SCHOOL TAXES, BUT LOCAL INCREASES CAN SKEW
THE RESULTS
121. The Atlanta Journal
Savings accounts a win for education
122. The Newark Star-Ledger
No school break
123. The Columbus Dispatch
SCHOOL REPORT CARDS
124. Minneapolis Star Tribune
Poverty antidote - Provide more chance for education
125. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Tax-break bill puts public schools in peril
126. Detroit News
A Tale of Two School Systems
127. Detroit News
Detroit Schools: Cut the Fat
128. Investors Business Daily
America's Most Costly Educational Failure
129. Albuquerque Journal
Open Dialogue Might Reduce Dropout Rate
PRESS RELEASES
130. PR Newswire
U.S. Secretary of Education Honors Pontiac Central H.S. And Delphi Automotive
Systems for 'FIRST' Achievements
131. Xinhua English Newswire
Clinton Administration Supports Bilingual Education
132. U.S. Newswire
Education Secretary Statement on Helping all Children Learn English
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12
NATIONAL
1. Associated Press
04-28 3:58a
Administration to campaign against California
proposition
By CASSANDRA BURRELL
one-year course of instruction mostly in
programs, the Education Department
Associated Press Writer
English would leave schoolchildren
said. The number of limited-English
WASHINGTON (AP) - A California
without needed skills, including those
students has nearly doubled in less than a
ballot measure that would dismantle the
that will help them find jobs in the future,
decade. Of some 5 million California
state's bilingual education programs is
Smith said Monday.
public school students in kindergarten
not based on sound research or policy,
"The best data that we have, the best
through the 12th grade, about 1.4 million
say Clinton administration officials who
research that we have suggests that the
have limited English proficiency.
are campaigning against it.
one-year immersion structure is
a
When asked Monday whether he
President Bill Clinton and other
major mistake," he said.
supported Proposition 227, California
administration officials plan to travel to
Instead, the administration is calling
Gov. Pete Wilson said he hadn't made a
California to urge residents to reject the
for an alternative strategy - setting the
decision, but added, "I'm strongly leaning
measure, which goes before voters on
nationwide goal of limiting most
that way." He also accused the president
June 2, said Marshall Smith, the
children's participation in bilingual
of using the issue to play politics.
Education Department's acting deputy
programs to three years.
"I frankly think he has no business, I
secretary.
The three-year limitation would be a
think the U.S. Department of Education
Proposition 227, written by Silicon
goal, not a requirement, the department
has no business, substituting his
Valley millionaire and unsuccessful
said. Current law calls for, but does not
judgment for that of the people of
gubernatorial candidate Ron Unz, would
require, non-English-speaking children to
California," Wilson said.
require children with limited ability to
go through three to five years of bilingual
White House spokesman Mike
speak English to be taught
education, Smith said.
McCurry said the California vote could
"overwhelmingly" in English for a year
In a written statement, Education
affect bilingual programs nationwide.
before being moved into regular
Secretary Richard Riley said that
"There's some reason to believe that
classrooms. Supporters say the current
Proposition 227, also called the Unz
federal bilingual education programs are
system takes too long and produces
Amendment, "is not the way to go."
at some risk because of measures pending
children who never become proficient in
"In my opinion, adoption of the Unz
in Congress that would cut funding for
English.
Amendment will lead to fewer children
those programs," McCurry said.
Statewide polls show about 60 percent
learning English and many children
Other versions of this article appeared
of voters support the proposition,
falling further behind in their studies," he
in The Miami Herald and The Dallas
including about half of the Hispanic
said.
Morning News.
voters polled.
Across the nation, about 3.2 million
Replacing the state's multiplicity of
students have limited English skills, and
bilingual education programs with a
1.3 million are in local and state bilingual
2. The Washington Post
04/28/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: A Section; Page A03
Education Dept. Faults Anti-Bilingual Measure
Calif. Ballot Issue Has Popular Support
By Peter Baker
The Education Department issued a
in California and one can easily say we
Washington Post Staff Writer
statement condemning Proposition 227 as
are flying in the face of whatever the
The administration announced yesterday
counterproductive, saying it would
conventional wisdom is in California
that it opposes the California ballot
impose an arbitrary one-size-fits-all
about the popularity of that measure,"
measure that would ban bilingual
instructional formula on local schools
said White House press secretary Michael
education, again placing President
and teachers, inevitably leaving some
McCurry. "At the same time, the
Clinton at odds with majority sentiment
children stuck in an "educational
president thinks you can make a good
in the nation's largest state on a divisive
straitjacket."
argument that communities need to make
social issue.
"We understand the public sentiment
these decisions based on what's best for
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
13
their public school population."
Proposition 227 would require that
measures. California Gov. Pete Wilson
California, where 1.3 million students
non-native speakers be provided up to a
(R) predicted yesterday that Clinton
speak little or no English, the
year of English immersion instruction
would "make it 0 for 3 in a reverse hat
administration offered a compromise
and then shifted into regular classes
trick."
model yesterday that would set a
where only English is spoken, unless
"I frankly think he has no business
nonbinding goal of three years to move
their parents could obtain a waiver.
substituting [his] judgment for that of the
immigrant students into all-English
According to the latest polls, at least 70
people of California. I think this is a
classes.
percent of Californians support the
political gesture," said Wilson, who
"He's trying to take the path of least
measure, which will be decided in a June
added he was "strongly leaning" for
resistance, knowing that California voters
2 election, and even a majority of Latinos
Proposition 227 although he has not
are outraged by the current system yet
surveyed in the state have registered their
made up his mind.
trying to placate the education lobby,"
support.
While coming out against the
said Sheri Annis, a spokeswoman for the
The proposition once again puts
proposition, Clinton signaled that he was
group sponsoring Proposition 227.
California in the forefront of
not willing to invest much political
Opponents,
however,
were
controversial policy debates with a sharp
capital in working for its defeat just as
disappointed. Ambrosio Rodriguez, a
ethnic edge and again puts Clinton in the
he did not campaign vigorously against
legislative staff attorney for the Mexican
position of arguing against popular
Proposition 209 two years ago. Clinton
American Legal Defense and Education
voter-backed changes that he fears would
left yesterday's announcement to
Fund, said the group welcomed Clinton's
generate ripple effects elsewhere in the
Education Secretary Richard W. Riley
decision and hoped it would "shed light
country.
and, according to aides, has no plans to
on everything that is wrong with
In 1994, Clinton opposed Proposition
speak out against the anti-bilingual
Proposition 227." But he decried the
187, which was designed to deny most
measure unless asked about it, even
three-year formulation and was
state benefits to illegal aliens, and in
though he will be in California this
discouraged that Clinton would not
1996, he opposed Proposition 209, which
weekend to raise money for Democrats
campaign while in California. "It's a
rolled back state affirmative action
and visit his daughter, Chelsea.
shame," Rodriguez said. "I wish he
programs. In both cases, California voters
In a nod to the strong current of
would.
rebuffed his opinion and passed the
concern about bilingual education in
3. The New York Times
04/28/98Section: National Desk; Section A; Page 15, Column 1
White House to Fight California Initiative to Ban
Bilingual Classes
By STEVEN A. HOLMES
Language, in which students are taught
conventional wisdom is in California,"
WASHINGTON, April 27 - The
the English language for part of the day,
said Michael D. McCurry, the White
Clinton Administration announced its
and bilingual education, in which
House press secretary.
opposition today to a California ballot
students take classes taught in their native
Today's announcement culminated
initiative that would end bilingual
tongues until their English improves. The
months of study and debate within the
education in that state, saying the
initiative, which faces a vote in the June
Administration.
President and other officials would
2 primary, would end both methods.
Mr. Smith said, "I believe you'll see a
actively campaign against it.
"Proposition 227 would stifle the
lot of Administration officials in the state
Administration officials said there was
ability of our non-English-speaking
in the next month or so," campaigning
a "very high likelihood" that the Justice
children to learn," said Mike Smith,
against the measure. Asked if that
Department would sue the state if the
Acting Undersecretary of Education said
included the President, he replied, "I
initiative was approved, because it would
at a news conference here.
believe so."
violate the civil rights of students whose
The Administration is jumping into
Mr. McCurry said the Administration
English is limited.
California's latest ballot fight on an
opposed the initiative because it would
The referendum, known as
initiative that polls show has strong
make it more difficult in Congress to
Proposition 227 or the Unz Initiative
support among residents, including
defeat bills intended to end Federal
after its author, Ron K. Unz, a Silicon
Hispanic Californians, whose children
support of bilingual programs and would
Valley millionaire, would require that
make up nearly 80 percent of students in
jeopardize President Clinton's budget
students with weak English skills
classes for those with limited English.
proposals to hire more teachers proficient
complete a one-year program in which all
It promised vigorous opposition to the
in foreign languages, he said.
their lessons are in English and then be
measure.
Critics say bilingual programs do not
placed in regular classes.
"We understand the public sentiment
keep students from falling behind in math
California's current programs for such
in California and one can easily say we
or social studies, but rather hinder their
students include English As a Second
are flying in the face of whatever the
mastery of English.
"I think a major constituency of the
Latino organizations - have been fairly
Unz initiative, although Latinos
Democratic Party - all of the major
skeptical or in outright opposition to the
themselves have become increasingly
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
14
wary of bilingual education," said Linda
districts to improve students' language
Affairs in the department. "We want
Chavez, a former Reagan Administration
skills and move them into classes taught
school districts moving their children
official who opposes bilingual education.
in English. Previously the goal was three
towards not only learning English, but to
Acknowledging the criticism of
to five years.
achieving high standards as soon as
bilingual education, Federal Department
"This is a serious goal," said Delia
possible.'
of Education officials today also
Pompa, head of the Office of Bilingual
announced a three-year goal for school
Education and Minority Language
4. Los Angeles Times
* 04/28/98; Edition: Home Edition; Section: Metro Desk; Page A-3
Wilson Leaning Toward Support of Unz Measure
Prop. 227: Governor says his only concern with anti-bilingual education
proposal is cost. He calls Clinton's opposition 'a political gesture.'
By MAX VANZI
same way."
foray into California's initiative politics,
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Proposition 227 would require
the Republican governor said the
SACRAMENTO-Gov. Pete Wilson
schoolchildren to be taught in English;
Democratic president "has no business
said Monday he is inclined to support
those who do not speak English would
substituting his judgment for that of the
Proposition 227, the June ballot initiative
enter immersion classes for a year.
people of California."
that would virtually end bilingual
Exceptions could be made for children 10
The White House this week declared
education-and he lashed out at the
and older, and for students whose parents
that Proposition 227's supporters are
Clinton administration for opposing it.
insisted they be taught in a bilingual
basing their arguments on poor data. The
Until now, Wilson had been silent
setting.
Clinton administration says changes are
about where he stood on the initiative
Opponents of the initiative criticized
necessary in bilingual education but
sponsored by Silicon Valley entrepreneur
the governor for moving toward
called the initiative's one-year English
Ron Unz, but that ended with his
supporting it.
immersion method a "major mistake."
response to a question at a wide-ranging
Assembly
Speaker
Antonio
Replied Wilson: "I really do not think
news conference.
Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), a staunch
we need the assistance of bureaucrats or
"I am strongly leaning that way," the
opponent of Proposition 227 whose wife
elected officials from inside the Beltway
governor said of Proposition 227.
is a bilingual teacher, said he was
to tell Californians how to vote." The
His only qualm, he said, is the
"chagrined but not surprised that
governor described the White House
estimated $50-million price tag to
[Wilson] is leaning toward" the ballot
statement as "a political gesture."
implement the measure.
measure.
It's up to Californians to make a
"Whether or not that outweighs the
The governor "has a history of
decision on Proposition 227, Wilson
merits of seeing to it that children gain
supporting wedge issues, and clearly
said, "and I think they will make it very
access to opportunities
by becoming
Proposition 227 is the wedge issue of
well."
fluent in English as soon as possible is a
1998."
Wilson also announced his support for
question I'll have to decide," Wilson said.
Villaraigosa said Wilson will likely
a bill, facing tough going in the
The governor called the present
have before him soon a legislative
Democratic-controlled Legislature, that
practice
of
teaching
solution to the bilingual problem-a bill
would expand opportunities for small
non-English-speaking children in their
sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Dede
business operators to obtain state
own language in the early grades "one of
Alpert of Coronado. Under that measure,
contracts.
the great misfired good intentions of our
the speaker said, "there would be no
The intent of the bill, said its author,
time
I think it has failed."
need" for anyone to support the Unz
state Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San
By contrast-and along the lines
initiative.
Francisco), is to help "keep the faith"
proposed by the initiative-the governor
The bill, awaiting final legislative
with Proposition 209, which voters
praised the "immersion" method of
passage in the Senate, would leave it up
approved in 1996. The measure's passage
teaching English intensively and quickly.
to local school districts to decide how
ended affirmative action programs in
He used as an example the way the young
best to teach English to immigrant
state and local government and
state of Israel taught Hebrew to its
children.
universities, including built-in
immigrants from many countries.
Wilson has said before that the
advantages for women and minorities.
"That was a judgment [Israeli leaders]
Legislature should send him a bill that
Wilson said the Kopp bill would
made," Wilson said. "I happen to think it
offers reforms to the present system. But
encourage minority- and women-owned
was a wise one."
on Monday he said he has not taken a
businesses to compete effectively for
Likewise, he said, when it comes to
position on the Alpert measure because
state business, but without using race,
learning English, "evidently there are a
he has not seen the latest version.
gender or ethnicity to qualify for
number of Hispanic parents who feel the
As for the Clinton administration's
contracts.
Wilson described Kopp's bill as
minorities and women-obtain state
Proposition 209.
"outreach" legislation that would help
contracts.
Among other things, the Kopp bill
small businesses-many owned by
Wilson and Kopp both supported
would give an advantage to small
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
15
businesses when bidding on state projects
reduce vehicle license fees-"which
effort to balance the budget during the
by making it harder for larger companies
seems to me a particularly onerous tax."
recession. Most of the increase-roughly
to underbid small ones.
The move comes as Wilson's
$906 million this year-goes to counties
The legislation would set up what
Department of Finance works to revise
to pay for the care of severely mentally ill
Wilson described as an outreach program
the governor's proposed $73.8-billion
people.
that would aggressively seek and identify
budget for the 1998-99 fiscal year.
The vehicle license fee averages $185
individuals and small businesses for state
Estimates are that the state will have
per vehicle each year, with owners of
contracts. It also would revise a 1974
several hundred million dollars more in
new cars paying the most.
standard and allow more companies to
tax revenue to spend next year than
qualify as small businesses.
predicted.
Times staff writer Dan Morain
On another subject, Wilson said he
Wilson and the Legislature raised the
contributed to this report.
would support legislation that would
vehicle license fee in 1991 as part of an
5. USA Today
April 28, 1998
White House decries Calif. Ballot measure
By Martin Kasindorf and
nationwide goal of limiting most
eliminating the Education Department's
Marria Puente USA TODAY
children's participation in bilingual
bilingual education office and spreading
The Clinton Administration came out
programs to three years.
its $200 million budget among other
against a popular California ballot
"We're absolutely delighted that
programs.
measure Monday that would virtually
President Clinton has recognized the
Across the nation, about 3.2 million
abolish bilingual education there.
flaws in 227," said Holly Thier,
students have limited English skills and
Education Secretary Richard Riley
spokeswoman for the opposition
1.3 million are in local and state bilingual
sided with Latino political activists in the
campaign.
programs, the Education Department
debate over Proposition 227, on the
Alice Callaghan, a leader in Silicon
says. The number of limited-English
ballot June 2.
Valley businessman Ron Unz's "English
students has nearly doubled in less than a
The initiative would replace a
for the Children" campaign, said the
decade.
potpourri of local, native-language
administration's intervention was
The National Hispanic Leadership
teaching programs with a one-year course
"annoying" but won't matter much. In
Agenda, a coalition of 20 large Latino
of instruction taught mostly in English.
1994 and 1996, Californians approved
organizations, opposes 227 as a "political
Most children then would be
controversial initiatives on illegal
attempt to suppress the emerging Latino
"mainstream" into English-language
immigration and affirmative action
elecorate."
classrooms
despite Clinton's opposition, she noted.
California Gov. Pete Wilson said
In a Los Angeles Time poll April 13,
Aides said Clinton may speak out
Monday that he had not decided whether
likely voters supported the proposal 63%-
against 227 during a visit to California
he favors the proposition but "I'm
23%. Latinos favored the measure 50%-
this weekend. The measure could fan
strongly leaning that way." He accused
32%.
sentiment in Congress for cutting federal
President Clinton of using the issue to
Riley said the one-year time limit and
funding for bilingual education, White
play politics.
"one-size-fits-all approach" would "lead
House press Secretary Mike McCurry
"I frankly think he has no business, I
to fewer children learning English and
said.
think the U.S. Department of Education
many. falling further behind in their
Clinton's current budget requests a
has no business, substituting his
studies." He said the proposal is direct
17% increase in spending for bilingual
judgment for that of the people of
attack on local control of education."
programs. But Rep. Tom Delay, R-
California," Wilson said.
The Clinton administration called for
Texas, plans to introduce a bill
an alternative strategy: setting the
6. San Francisco Chronicle
April 28, 1998
Education Secretary Blasts Proposition 227
Riley calls proposed limits on bilingual programs `disaster'
Louis Freedberg,
denounced Proposition 227, which would
wrong."
Chronicle Washington Bureau
end most bilingual education programs in
The announcement ended a
Secretary of Education Richard
California, as a "disaster,"
months-long debate within the
Riley yesterday unambiguously
``counterproductive" and "just plain
administration over whether to publicly
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
16
oppose the initiative, which the latest
yesterday that some children remain in
programs across the nation. In that case,
Field Poll shows is favored by 70 percent
bilingual education classes longer than
brought by Chinese parents in San
of likely voters.
they should and said that ideally children
Francisco, the court ruled that school
``Proposition 227 may satisfy people's
should learn English in no more than
districts must take steps to ensure that
sense of frustration, but ultimately it is
three years. But Riley emphasized that
students with limited proficiency in
counterproductive to our common goal of
the three-year time line is not a
English can fully participate in the
making sure children learn English while
"mandate" or a "command."
regular school program.
making academic progress in other
"Some children may learn English in
But Riley warned that actual
subjects as well," Riley said in a lengthy
one year or two, and others may need
implementation of the initiative could
statement.
three years or even more," he said. "The
cause school districts to run afoul of
Governor Pete Wilson said he has not
focus should be on the individual needs
federal law. "The initiative will in all
yet decided whether he favors the
of each child and not on some artificial
likelihood result in problems under
proposition, though he is "strongly
and arbitrary time frame."
federal civil rights laws," said Riley.
leaning that way." But in keeping with a
By proposing a flexible approach, the
Education Undersecretary Marshall
long-standing feud with Clinton on a
administration is taking aim at a key
Smith, a former dean of the School of
range of issues - from affirmative
element of Proposition 227, which
Education at Stanford University, said
action to immigration Wilson accused
requires children with limited English
the administration will not propose any
the president of meddling in what is
proficiency to be taught in special
changes to bilingual education policy
purely a state issue.
"English immersion" classes for one year
until next year, when Congress is
"I frankly think he has no business, I
before being transferred into regular
expected to weigh in on the issue.
think the U.S. Department of Education
classes.
But he suggested that for now, the
has no business," said Wilson,
"The one-year time limit and
administration has rejected the notion of
"substituting his judgment for that of the
one-size-fits-all approach to learning
cutting off funds to California districts
people of California," where the federal
English flies in the face of research that
that do not provide full educational
government spends approximately $80
tells us that children learn in different
opportunities for immigrant children.
million annually on bilingual programs.
ways and at different speeds," said Riley.
"You'd like to have teeth in laws; you'd
Despite Riley's language, the
Administration officials said their
like to hold communities accountable,"
administration is trying to carve out a
legal analysts have studied the
he said. "At the same time, you don't
middle ground on the issue similar to
proposition and concluded that it would
want to withdraw funds that are being
its "mend it, don't end it" policy on
not violate civil rights laws, including the
used to support kids.'
affirmative action.
Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Lau vs.
Administration officials acknowledged
Nichols ruling, which led to bilingual
7. San Francisco Examiner
April 27, 1998 Page Al
Clinton will stump against Prop. 227
But California voters favor measure to ban bilingual education
Stewart M. Powell and Eun Lee Koh
officials said Monday.
Marshall Smith, deputy secretary of
EXAMINER WASHINGTON BUREAU
Clinton, who visits California this
Education, said the administration has
The Associated Press contributed to
weekend, will urge voters to reject
decided to oppose Prop. 227 because the
this report.
Proposition 227 but urge the state to
measure is bad education policy.
WASHINGTON President Clinton
provide up to three years of bilingual
Public opinion polls show the
will campaign against a California ballot
training for the non-English-speaking
proposition is heavily favored in the June
initiative that would ban bilingual
children of immigrants, administration
2 election.
education in the state, administration
officials said.
Smith added: "Proposition 227 is
English-speaking classrooms.
United States," said Fernando Vega, a
punitive and threatening to young
Clinton's opposition to Prop. 227 goes
former school board member and
children who have trouble learning
against surveys that show most
honorary regional chair for the Prop. 227
English. It's just a one-size-fits-all deal
Californians support the measure on the
movement.
that goes against every scientific data we
June 2 ballot.
"We are losing generations and
have that says programs like this don't
In February, an Examiner poll found
generations of Latino kids to this
work."
that California voters overwhelmingly
program called bilingual education,"
The initiative would rework the state's
favored Prop. 227. The controversial
Vega said.
patchwork system of bilingual education.
initiative, opposed by state teachers
But critics said they would welcome
There would be a uniform, one-year
unions, is supported by two-thirds of
White House support.
immersion in English-only instruction for
Californians likely to vote June 2.
"We know that bilingual education
those with limited proficiency. After that,
"I think President Clinton has become
works best without a time limit," said
most students would be placed into
the most misinformed citizen in the
Ambrosio Rodriguez, an attorney with
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
17
the Mexican American Legal Defense
measure could help bolster his support
referendums in California that were
and Educational Fund in Washington,
among Hispanic voters.
approved overwhelmingly by voters
D.C.
Clinton swept 72 percent of the
despite critics' claims that the measures
A public opinion poll of Hispanic
Hispanic vote nationwide in 1996 up 11
were anti-immigrant.
voters commissioned by the
percent from his share of the Hispanic
Californians approved Proposition
Spanish-language TV network Univision
vote in 1992. Latino support helped
187 in 1994 to ban social services for
shows that 83 percent of the 755
Clinton carry Arizona, the first time a
illegal immigrants - a ban subsequently
Hispanic voters surveyed favored
Democrat has carried that since 1948.
stymied by court action.
continuing bilingual education.
Clinton also carried Florida, a state with
Voters also passed Proposition 209 in
Asked specifically about Prop. 227, 54
a large Hispanic population that had not
1996, which ended the affirmative-action
percent opposed it. Sixty-six percent said
been won by a Democrat since 1976.
contracting programs and admissions
cutting off bilingual education after one
The impact of Clinton's stance on
preferences for women and minorities
year would be too harsh.
Prop. 227 is uncertain. The president
designed to compensate for years of
Clinton's stance on the controversial
fruitlessly opposed two earlier ballot
discrimination.
8. Sacramento Bee
April 28, 1998
Prop. 227 to lure Clinton to state: Wilson says he 'leans'
toward it
By Jim Miller and Jon Matthews Bee
approach" that ignores children's
backing the measure. "Even supporters of
Washington Bureau and Bee Capitol
individual needs and threatens local
bilingual education admit the system is
Bureau
control of schools. The administration
failing."
President Clinton will campaign in
proposes a goal of moving students with
Unz criticized the administration's
California against Proposition 227,
limited English skills from bilingual
three-year goal for English-only learning
administration officials announced
programs into English-taught classes in
as an arbitrary figure that "doesn't make
Monday, launching the strongest attack
three years or less.
any sense" and said he is confident
yet on the initiative that would all but do
While Proposition 227's wording
Proposition 227 would stand up to court
away with bilingual education.
seems to pass legal muster, its
challenges. Clinton's opposition "is
Gov. Pete Wilson, meanwhile, said he
implementation may not, Smith said. The
entirely a question of political pressure"
is "strongly leaning" toward supporting
federal government might sue California,
from the bilingual education lobby, Unz
the initiative and predicted that California
he said, if lawyers for the U.S.
said.
voters will repudiate Clinton's views.
Department of Education decide that
Monday's announcement came as the
"I think bilingual education is one of
the initiative, if it passes, violates
administration began planning its strategy
the great misfired good intentions of our
students' civil rights.
for next year's congressional hearings on
time," Wilson said in Sacramento. "It is
With little more than a month until the
reauthorizing the federal bilingual
an effort to try to bring people along in
June 2 election, polls show voters
education act. The administration's
their own language. I think it has failed."
strongly in favor of Proposition 227. Its
proposal, Smith said, could include new
About 1.4 million California students
backers on Monday dismissed the effect
rules to move limited-English students
are in bilingual classes.
of the Clinton administration's opposition
more quickly into classes taught in
Delivering
the
Clinton
and questioned the president's political
English.
administration's platform, Deputy
motives.
Education Secretary Marshall Smith
"I'm really very disappointed," said
called the initiative a "one-size-fits-all
Ron Unz, the Silicon Valley executive
The Unz initiative goes too far, U.S.
President Clinton will be in California
Both propositions passed by wide
Education Secretary Richard Riley said
this weekend to visit his daughter,
margins.
in a statement, because it "ignores the
Chelsea, and attend fund-raisers in San
"I think he may make it O-for-3 in a
individual needs of each child and
Francisco and Los Angeles. White House
reverse hat trick," Wilson said. "He
certainly is an education straitjacket for
spokesman Mike McCurry indicated that
opposed 187. It passed. He opposed 209.
teachers and parents."
Clinton will speak out against
It passed. And I suspect that when he
"A goal is not a mandate or a
Proposition 227 during the trip.
opposes 227, it will pass."
command," Riley said. "Some children
"It's rare for the president to take a
Wilson said Clinton "has no business
may learn English in one year or two, and
position on a state ballot measure, but
and, I think, the U.S. Department of
others may need three years or even
California, being the largest state, tends
Education has no business substituting its
more."
to be a trend-setter," McCurry said.
judgment for that of the people of
Opposition to the initiative, Smith
In 1994 and 1996, Clinton came out
California. I really do not think that we
said, will go beyond Monday's news
against Propositions 187 and 209 -
need the assistance of either bureaucrats
conference. "I believe you'll see lots of
initiatives that, respectively, aimed to
or elected officials from inside the
administration officials in the state over
deny benefits to illegal immigrants and
Beltway to tell Californians how to vote."
the next month," he said.
end public affirmative action programs.
Wilson has yet to announce a position
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
18
on the initiative or a legislative
Proposition 227's foes applauded
Neither side of the debate has taken its
alternative now making its way toward
Clinton's joining their cause. "It will put
campaign to the airwaves. "We don't have
his desk. But he said Monday that he is
voters' antennae up, that this is something
a lot of money, and neither does the other
inclined to agree with the Latino parents
they might want to pay attention to," said
side," said Sheri Annis, spokeswoman for
who have said "they wanted their
Richie Ross, the Sacramento consultant
the Unz campaign.
children schooled in English just as early
for Citizens for an Educated America,
as possible."
leading the fight against the measure.
9. Washington Times
April 28, 1998
Clinton fights move to curtail bilingual education
By Ralph Z. Hallow
most populous state. Polls show that the
voters. Opponents, however, have been
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 2 primary ballot measure - known
pressuring the administration for months
he Clinton administration announced
officially as Proposition 227 and dubbed
to come out against the measure.
yesterday its opposition to a popular
"English for the Children" by proponents
President Clinton, who is scheduled to
California initiative that would severely
- has strong backing from the state's
leave for a
curtail bilingual education in the nation's
electorate, including black and Hispanic
- Continued from Front Page -
almost all instruction in their native
California initiative," an official with an
trip to California on Friday, may speak
language, while also being coached in
anti-Proposition 227 group said privately.
out against the initiative while there,
English for about a half-hour a day. As a
Sherri Annis, the initiative campaign's
presidential spokesman Michael McCurry
result, many of them never learn to read
spokeswoman, said one thing that upsets
said. Twice before, the president has
and write in English, critics say. Mr.
parents is that California school records
publicly opposed popular California
Riley called Proposition 227 "just plain
show that "only 6.7 percent of the
ballot initiatives. In 1994, he spoke
wrong." It may, he said, "satisfy people's
children in bilingual education programs
against passage of Proposition 187, a ban
sense of frustration, but ultimately it is
move on to mainstream English classes
on state government public spending on
counterproductive to our common goal of
each year." But Delia Pompa, director of
education and health for children of
making sure children learn English while
the Education Department's bilingual
illegal immigrants. Nevertheless, it
making academic progress in other
education and minority languages office,
passed overwhelmingly. In 1996, Mr.
subjects as well." Marshall "Mike" Smith,
said that one reason is the sheer numbers
Clinton came out against Proposition
the Education Department's acting
of immigrant children entering the
209, which bans racial and sexual
deputy secretary, conducted the press
program each year, especially in Los
preferences and quotas in public
briefing instead of Mr. Riley, whose
Angeles. Miss Annis disputed that
universities and state government jobs.
return to Washington from the Midwest
explanation, however, saying that the
That initiative also passed
was delayed by inclement weather. In
"quantity of immigrants has been
overwhelmingly. Yesterday, the White
addressing reporters, Mr. Smith took a
lessening in the last few years, which
House let the Department of Education
slightly harder line in defense of bilingual
should make those numbers rise
take the lead in opposing Proposition
education than his boss did in his
tremendously, but in fact the rates show
227. Attempting to strike a middle
prepared statement. During questioning,
no growth at all." Bilingual education
ground, Education Secretary Richard
Mr. Smith said he was unaware of any
opponents argue that generations of
W. Riley said he would encourage school
voter frustration in California over
immigrant children learned English
systems to try to move immigrant
bilingual education or that Mr. Riley had
quickly simply through being thrown into
children from learning in their native
used the word "frustration" at least twice
an English-speaking environment and
language to learning in English within
in his prepared statement. As to why the
that bilingual education, a recent
three years of their beginning bilingual
administration finally spoke out against
phenomenon, retards the learning of
education programs. But his language
the initiative, Mr. Unz said, "Behind the
English and benefits mainly teachers and
was conciliatory. "I join all Californians
president's move is political pressure
administrators. A solid 63 percent
who are unhappy with the status quo and
from school administrators and the
majority of likely voters favor the
I understand the frustration that is
bilingual-education lobby." An opponent
initiative, according to an April 4-9 Los
encouraging many voters to think about
of the initiative who has ties to the White
Angeles Times poll of 1,105 registered
voting for the Unz initiative," Mr. Riley
House acknowledged as much, saying
votes in the state. Among blacks
said in a prepared statement handed out
that presidential advisers Bruce Reed, a
sampled, 67 percent favored it, and
at a press briefing yesterday. Ron Unz, a
"New Democrat," and Rahm Emanuel, an
among Hispanics, 50 percent favored it.
computer software entrepreneur, heads
ideological centrist if not a "certified"
But even such overwhelming opposition
the campaign to pass the initiative, which
New Democrat, have been arguing for
to bilingual education doesn't deter those
would put non-English-speaking children
months that the president should
who favor continuing the status quo. "We
in a one-year English immersion program
"triangulate" the issue. "They urged the
are pleased that the administration has
before sending them on to regular classes
president to take a position that goes
come out against 227, a voter initiative
taught in English. Under the present
some way toward satisfying [bilingual
that would hurt California and its
system in California, many immigrant
education supporters] while not totally
children," said Ambrosio Rodriguez, a
children not proficient in English get
alienating parents who support the
lawyer in Washington with the Mexican
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
19
American Legal Defense and Educational
movement under way in California is not
tried." Mr. Unz, however, maintained that
Fund. In arguing against the initiative,
based in sound policy or research." But in
the Catholic schools in America are "so
Mr. Smith said, "The best data that we
response to a question, the Education
successful with immigrant children
have, the best research that we have,
Department official acknowledged that
precisely because they use immersion."
suggests that the one-year immersion
"nobody has really studied one-year
structure is a major mistake. The
immersion per se, because it's never been
10. Inside Politics (CNN)
April 27, 1998
Clinton
Enters Debate Over Bilingual Education
(excerpt)
BERNARD SHAW: And this other item,
understand the public sentiment in
should work is not useful.
the Clinton administration is weighing in
California, and one could easily say we
SHAW: Proposition 227 would
against California's Proposition 227, a
are flying in the face of whatever the
replace California's patchwork bilingual
ballot measure that would dismantle the
conventional wisdom is in California
education system with a one-year,
state's bilingual education programs.
about the popularity of that measure. At
English-only immersion program. The
White House press secretary Mike
the same time, the president thinks you
administration is proposing setting a
McCurry acknowledges, politically, this
can make a good argument that
national goal of limiting most students'
stance may be risky.
communities need to make these
participation in bilingual programs to
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
decisions based on what's best for their
three years.
MIKE MCCURRY, WHITE HOUSE
public school population, and that trying
PRESS SECRETARY: Well, we
to adopt a single model of how this
11. All Things Considered (NPR)
04/27/98Section: News; Domestic;
Clinton Administration Opposes Prop 227
The Clinton Administration today announced their opposition to California
Proposition 227, the California ballot measure that would dismantle the state's
bilingual education programs. The administration is going to call for a three
year limit to participating in bilingual programs, but opponents to Prop 227
say that there should be no time limit. Surveys show that most California
voters support the ballot measure.
By Mandalit del Barco
administration has announced its
would give immigrants students just one
Los Angeles; Noah Adams, Washington,
opposition to a California ballot measure
year to learn English before being
DC; Robert Siegel, Washington, DC
dismantling bilingual education in the
mainstreamed into all-English classes.
NOAH ADAMS, HOST: The Clinton
state's public schools. Proposition 227
Today, U.S. Education Department
Smith, told reporters why.
learning English in three, and learning to
said that approach is extreme.
MARSHALL SMITH, U.S. DEPUTY
learn in English in three years - not just
From Los Angeles, NPR's Mandalit
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION: This
because of what schools are or aren't
del Barco reports.
one size fits all approach may work for
doing, but because there are lots of
MANDALIT DEL BARCO, NPR
t-shirts, but this administration does not
individual differences in how quickly
REPORTER: Proposition 227, which
support teaching our children in a
children learn a second language and
was written by conservation entrepreneur
cookie-cutter fashion.
how quickly they're ready to learn in that
Ron Uns (ph), would replace the current
DEL BARCO: During today's
second language.
patchwork of bilingual programs in
announcement, Delia Pompa, the Federal
DEL BARCO: The White House
California with a single system of
Bilingual Education Director, said a
opposition goes against voter surveys that
learning English - 180 days - one year
better goal would be to give students at
show support for the initiative - even
of what he calls "English immersion."
least three years to learn English.
among Latinos, whose children might be
After that, limited English-speaking
DELIA
POMPA,
FEDERAL
directly affected. The latest polls report
students would be moved into all-English
BILINGUAL
EDUCATION
about 70 percent of voters are in favor in
classrooms. In a statement released
DIRECTOR: It's important that we focus
Prop 227, although that support has been
today, Education Secretary Richard
on the fact that it is a goal, because we
declining in the weeks leading up to the
Riley said the results would be a disaster.
are very cognizant of the fact that not all
June ballot.
This afternoon, Riley's deputy, Marshall
children are going to meet the goal of
Campaign spokesperson Sherry Anna
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
20
(ph) says she's disappointed, but not
kids. So, they're going to continue to
affirmative action in the state.
worried about President Clinton's
vote with their conscience.
Despite his opposition, California
decision.
DEL BARCO: This is not the first
voters passed both initiatives. And with
SHERRY ANNA, PROP 227
time the Clinton administration has
five and half weeks to go before the June
CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON: He has
weighed in on a California ballot
ballot, activists and educators hope the
not come out to see the dismal failures of
measure. In 1994, the president opposed
Clinton administration's opposition to
the bilingual education system. And this
Proposition 187, which would have
Prop 227 is forceful enough to change
is the first time he's ever addressed this
banned undocumented immigrants from
voters' minds.
issue. We don't expect it to affect things,
public education, health care and social
Mandalit del Barco, NPR News, Los
because Californians know that the
services. President Clinton also came out
Angeles.
current system is failing a generation of
against Proposition 209, which banned
12. Good Morning America (ABC)
04/27/98Section: NEWS;
BILINGUAL EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS IN ON ISSUE
By ANN COMPTON
would support a limit of three years of
surgeon general, David Satcher, today
ANTONIO MORA
bilingual education.
delivers to the White House a report with
ANTONIO MORA, Host: Californians
Now, that puts President Clinton at
some alarming statistics that show
go to the polls in June to vote on a
odds not only with Hispanic leaders, who
minority teens in four categories tend to
measure that would dismantle the state's
believe very strongly in bilingual
be smoking much, much more than they
bilingual education program. The
education, but what would appear to be a
were.
In fact, among just
Clinton administration is weighing in on
majority of Californians, who say the
African-American teens, the report says
the issue, and ABC's Ann Compton has
system just simply isn't working. What no
the increase in smoking there is 80
that from the White House. Good
one seems to approve of or side with is
percent, much faster than the white
morning, Ann.
the status quo, where very often millions
numbers.
ANN COMPTON, ABC News: Good
of dollars are spent that keep kids in
And President Clinton, of course,
morning, Antonio. Once again, President
bilingual education classes for years and
wants to use this as ammunition to tell
Clinton appears to be coming down on
still never produce fluency. Antonio?
Congress the time has come to pass that
the middle of an issue. President Clinton
ANTONIO MORA: Now, Ann, this is
legislation on Capitol Hill, even though
is prepared to oppose Proposition 227 in
just one of the issues that the President is
he agrees some changes will have to be
California, which would limit bilingual
looking at today concerning minorities.
made in it. Antonio?
education to one year of very intensive
The other is a new report about
ANTONIO MORA: Thanks, Ann.
training. This morning, the White House
minorities and tobacco. What does that
Ann Compton at the White House.
staff says the White House - the
say?
President considers that too rigid. He
ANN COMPTON: Well, the new
13. The Wall Street Journal
04/24/98 Page Al
The Wall Street Journal NBC News Poll
By Ronald G. Shafer
youths gain growing support.
antigun bills in Congress. In the poll,
(excerpts)
Over 70% of Americans believe a
75% of Americans back one proposal that
EDUCATION FIRST: Americans
shooting like that by two young boys in
would hold adults criminally responsible
rank two Clinton education goals-money
Arkansas could happen in their own
if they let young children have access to
for more teachers and school construction
communities. By 56% to 31%, they think
firearms used to kill or injure. The public
- as the most important federal goals
juveniles under 13 who murder should be
by 55% to 39% also favors a bill to limit
this year. Also ranked high: a GOP idea
tried as adults. "If teen smoking is on the
handgun purchases to one a month or 12
in a bill the Senate was to vote on
political agenda, youth violence cannot
a year.
yesterday: Tax-free savings accounts to
be far behind," pollsters Hart and Teeter
A 53% majority of Americans say one
help parents pay school tuition.
say.
of the biggest causes for violence is
TOUGHER STANCES against violent
The Arkansas shooting prompts new
parents not teaching good values.
14. The Wall Street Journal
04/28/98
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
21
Black Lawmakers Seek Tough Tobacco Bill as Teen
Smoking Rises
By Michael K. Frisby
should be getting louder," Mr. Clinton
about the legislation under consideration
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
said. "Congress has a very important
in the Senate. Mr. Hatch, chairman of the
WASHINGTON - Armed with fresh
opportunity to build on the work done by
Senate Judiciary Committee, who
data showing that smoking is escalating
the attorneys general
to pass a
attended the event at the White House,
among
minority
teenagers,
comprehensive, bipartisan tobacco bill
said that if tobacco companies are forced
African-American lawmakers stepped up
that will cut teen smoking by raising the
to pay more than $398 billion in the
the fight for a tough tobacco bill, even
price of cigarettes, putting into place
legislation, it will bankrupt the industry.
though it may anger some constituents by
tough restrictions on advertising and
Clearly, though, as Republicans
significantly increasing taxes on
access."
decide what course to take on the
cigarettes.
While raising the price of cigarettes
controversial legislation, the White
Surgeon General David Satcher
may decrease smoking and save lives, it
House keeps stepping up the pressure.
yesterday released a report concluding
puts black lawmakers in the position of
With each day, Mr. Clinton finds new
that smoking by youths increased
supporting legislation that could be a
ways to focus attention on the issue.
one-third in the past six years, including
political hazard. Their voters smoke at
Yesterday, the surgeon general's report
an 80% rise among black teenagers. In
high rates, but are disproportionately
was used to portray Mr. Clinton as
fact, the study found that 40% of white
poor, and the major tobacco bill now
crusading for the health of minority
high-school students smoke, as do
before Congress would raise prices by
teens.
one-half of American Indian youths,
$1.10 a pack in the next five years.
The report also disclosed that:
one-third of Hispanic students and
Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland
Smoking declined substantially among
one-fifth of blacks and Asians.
Democrat, said black lawmakers are
black youths during the 1970s and 1980s,
Moreover, the report documented the
willing to take the political heat for
but has increased in the 1990s.
health hazards created by smoking in
raising the cost of cigarettes. "If there is
Since 1983, there has been little
minority communities. Indeed, lung
any political pain, it is worth it," Mr.
progress in reducing tobacco use among
cancer is the leading cause of death
Cummings said. Democratic Rep. Louis
American Indian and Alaska Native
among the four minority groups, and
Stokes of Ohio agreed, saying: "The
adults; 40% of Indian adults smoke,
black men die from the disease at a rate
overriding consideration has to be the
compared with 25% of all adults.
that is 50% higher than whites.
devastation that is occurring in the
Tobacco products are advertised
In a White House ceremony, President
minority community as is evidenced by
widely in minority communities. In San
Clinton unveiled the report and used the
the surgeon general's report and not the
Francisco, for instance, 62% of the
occasion to lobby for tobacco legislation
economic aspect."
billboards in black neighborhoods
aimed at curtailing cigarette advertising
Even with the health concerns voiced
advertised cigarettes, compared with 36%
to youths, as well as sharply boosting the
yesterday, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, a
citywide.
price of cigarettes. "The call to action
Republican, continued to express concern
15. Associated Press
04-28 5:52a
Minority health groups want tougher tobacco settlement
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
groups that comprise one-fourth of the
Health
Coalition,
an
umbrella
Associated Press Writer
population. It found that 81 out of every
organization of black medical and elected
WASHINGTON (AP) - Pushing for a
100,000 black men die from lung cancer,
public officials.
tobacco policy that hits the industry
compared with 54 of 100,000 white men.
"We urgently need comprehensive
harder than a bill moving through the
It said smoking causes 87 percent of lung
tobacco control legislation," added
Senate, President Clinton and minority
cancer deaths in this country.
Jeannette Noltenius, executive director of
health advocates say a new government
Twenty-three Hispanic males per
the Latino Council on Alcohol and
report on smoking's effects on minority
100,000 die from lung cancer, about the
Tobacco.
men should sway Congress.
same as the rate for Asian males, while
A bill pending in the Senate would
Clinton, again urging Congress to pass
32 American Indian men per 100,000 die,
extract $516 billion from the industry
comprehensive tobacco legislation, noted
the report said.
over 25 years, add $1.10 to the per-pack
that the report also showed increases in
Advocates said the report highlighted
price of cigarettes by 2003 and levy
smoking among teens of all backgrounds,
the need for swift action.
billions of dollars in penalties unless
but most dramatically among blacks.
"It clearly concerns what we've been
youth smoking declines. It also would
"The call to action should be getting
saying all this time about the need for
cap annual damages against the industry
louder," Clinton said Monday.
special attention to be given to the needs
at $6.5 billion.
The report from Surgeon General
of minority communities," said Ruth
But the minority health groups say
David Satcher examined four ethnic
Perot, executive director of the Summit
cigarette prices should be increased by at
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
22
least $1.50 per pack, maybe even $2.
the dangers of tobacco products, and for
minority communities just as we've been
They also oppose any liability protections
programs in minority communities.
targeted by the industry," added Perot.
for "Big Tobacco."
-Counter-advertising programs be
But the prospects for a national
They are pleased, however, that the
"culturally and linguistically appropriate"
tobacco policy are unclear.
bill, sponsored by Senate Commerce
- produced and written in ways that
A week after McCain's bill advanced
Committee Chairman John McCain,
teen-agers and minorities will understand
to the full Senate, the tobacco companies
R-Ariz., includes provisions for women
easily.
pulled out of the talks with Congress and
and minorities requiring that:
Tobacco documents released during
are campaigning against further
-Research funded by the bill include
state trials and at congressional hearings
regulation of their business.
factors that affect women and minorities.
show that the industry waged largely
Clinton, who has urged legislation
-Studies on smoking among minorities
successful campaigns to recruit
even tougher than McCain's bill, and
be conducted in proportion to their
minorities.
some members of Congress have said
percentage of the smoking population
"The industry knows exactly how to
they will act without the tobacco
and be carried out at minority educational
get to us. We're getting the message,"
companies' support.
institutions or other places that provide
Noltenius said.
But many Republicans have criticized
minorities with the bulk of their health
The groups also want assurance that
the bill for contradicting conservative
care.
states will spend the funds only on
ideals and have signaled support for an
-States receive grants for school-,
tobacco-related programs. The provisions
approach focused on combating drug use
college- or university-based programs on
"really do need to require states to target
and smoking by teens.
16. Philadelphia Inquirer
April 28, 1998
White House and GOP feud on minority youth smoking
Clinton pressed for antismoking legislation. Republicans said he failed to
specify solutions.
By Steven Thomma
round of political sparring yesterday
adopt legislation to curb underage
INQUIRER WASHINGTON BUREAU
between the White House and the
smoking.
WASHINGTON - A surgeon
Republican leadership on Capitol Hill.
But even as Clinton focused on the
general's report detailing a dramatic
President Clinton used the first-ever
details of the problem, leading
increase in the use of tobacco among
report on smoking by minority teenagers
Republicans criticized him for not
young minorities touched off a new
to ratchet up pressure on Congress to
proposing specifics of a solution.
"The President has not provided
Surgeon General David Satcher used
With about 30 teenagers from the
leadership on the tobacco issue," said
the annual report - which has been
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R.,
issued for 24 years - to focus for the
standing behind him, Clinton noted that
Miss.) "He's provided lots of rhetoric,
first time on smoking among young
the tobacco industry, to survive, must
lots of talk. And he's not shown any real
minorities. Among his findings:
attract young people as customers to
courage in saying what things can be
About 20 percent of African American
replace those who quit or die. And he
done, what things must be done in order
high school students smoke. While they
said that it was up to parents and other
to achieve something that will pass."
still smoke less than other groups half
adults to counteract the industry.
And Senate Judiciary Committee
the rate of whites - their rate of
"Adults, and especially those of us
Chairman Orrin Hatch (R., Utah)
smoking jumped by 80 percent from
who are parents, are not doing our jobs
complained that Clinton - in calling for
1991 to 1997.
very well," he said. "We've done a good
steep price increases for cigarettes -
About 20 percent of Asian American
job over the years of strapping our kids
was advocating an approach that would
high school students smoke, up 17
into seat belts and cars and safety seats
bankrupt the industry and drive teens to
percent from 1990 to 1995.
marijuana.
About 33 percent of Hispanic high
"But we haven't done what we should
House Speaker Newt Gingrich also
school students smoke, a 34 percent
in wrapping the protective arm of parents
has blasted the approach favored by
increase from 1991 to 1997.
and other adults in our society as a whole
Clinton - currently embodied in a
About 50 percent of American Indian
around them when it comes to resisting
Senate bill backed by Sen. John McCain
high school students smoke, up 26
advertising, peer pressure or whatever
(R., Ariz.) - as a "very liberal, big
percent from 1990 to 1995.
other forces get young people into
government" proposal. Gingrich is
"Unless they are reversed, these
smoking."
leaning toward a more modest tax,
increases in tobacco use are a time bomb
Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.), one
framed as part of a bill fighting teen drug
for the health of our minority
of several members of Congress who
use.
populations," Satcher said. "If tobacco
attended the White House event, said an
Between the political sparring, the day
use continues to increase among minority
increase in cigarette prices would help
focused on the escalating rates at which
adolescents, we can expect severe health
drive young people away from the
young racial and ethnic minorities are
consequences to be felt in the early part
product.
smoking.
of the next century."
But Lott complained that Clinton was
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
23
not helping to work out the details of
and he's out there basically lobbing
farther apart rather than narrowing their
what would be an historic attempt to
bombs," Lott said.
differences.
regulate the tobacco industry.
In recent weeks, both Republicans and
Without major moves toward
"We're up here in the arena, senators
Democrats have become deeply divided
compromise soon, the legislation could
on both sides of the aisle, trying to work
among themselves over what to do, and
die.
through how we get a bill to the floor,
political pressures are pushing them
17. Los Angeles Times
* 04/28/98; Edition: Home Edition; Section: National Desk; Page A-12
Minority Teens Bucking Trend
Lighting Up More, Study Finds
By ALISSA J. RUBIN
Natives. These groups account for 24%
success story for public health advocates
TIMES STAFF WRITER
of the U.S. population, but by the middle
because of their relatively low smoking
WASHINGTON - The first surgeon
of the next century their share of the
rates. But now they are catching up with
general's report to focus on the smoking
nation's population is expected to reach
non-Latino white teenagers. Smoking
habits of racial and ethnic groups shows
nearly 50%.
rates are especially high among Latino
that, while the overall use of tobacco is
Although deaths from lung cancer are
high school students (overall, 34% smoke
declining among adults, it has begun to
declining, it remains the leading cause of
cigarettes, though among seniors the rate
rise among minority teenagers, creating a
cancer death for all four racial and ethnic
drops off to 26.8%), while almost 40% of
"time bomb" for minority populations.
groups, with African American men
non-Latino white teenagers smoke
Surgeon General David Satcher
having the highest lung cancer death rate.
cigarettes.
presented the report Monday to President
Rates of other tobacco-related cancers
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX /
Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
vary widely among the racial and ethnic
INFOGRAPHIC) Smoking Up for Teens
Public health advocates said the study
groups but are highest among African
Smoking is on the rise for high school
clearly shows why Congress should pass
American men.
seniors of all races, according to a report
comprehensive legislation to curb teen
However, the general trend toward
issued Monday by the surgeon general.
smoking. The report examined the
fewer lung cancer deaths could change if
% of high school seniors who consider
smoking habits of African Americans,
minority teenagers' smoking rates
themselves smokers:
Latinos, Asian Americans/Pacific
continue to rise.
Whites
Islanders and Native Americans/Alaska
In the past, minority teenagers were a
Latinos
Blacks
most recently in 1995, when 20.5% of
("Tobacco use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic
*
Asians and 47.7% Native Americans
Minority Groups")
Note: Figures for Asians and Native
smoked.
Americans compiled every four years,
Source: surgeon general report
18. The Washington Post
04/28/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: A Section; Page A03
Clinton Calls For Unity to Curb Youth Smoking
By John F. Harris
as he accepted a surgeon general's report
the administration's campaign to pass
Washington Post Staff Writer
showing smoking by young people
comprehensive tobacco legislation this
A week after warning that House
continuing to rise, especially among
year.
Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) was
blacks and Hispanics.
Congressional Democrats, particularly
parroting the company line of Big
Clinton and fellow Democrats have
in the House, have urged the White
Tobacco, President Clinton markedly
not exactly forsworn rhetoric. Just last
House to draw sharper partisan lines over
softened his approach yesterday. Praising
Tuesday, Clinton, Vice President Gore
tobacco. But when Clinton did exactly
Republicans in the audience on the White
and congressional leaders gleefully
that, he drew protests from some of the
House South Lawn, Clinton pledged that
whacked Gingrich for his impromptu
very Republicans, including Sen. John
he has no interest in quarreling over
comments that advertising symbols such
McCain (Ariz.), whose cooperation the
details as long as both sides agree on the
as Joe Camel were not the cause of youth
administration needs if it intends to
larger goal of curbing youth smoking.
smoking.
actually pass a bill. Last week's barrage
"Every step along the way, we have
But the contrast between last week
against Gingrich even raised questions in
been able to reach across party lines,
and yesterday's ceremony - in which
some quarters over whether Clinton's
we've been able to put aside rhetoric,
Clinton stood before a group of children
goal was to pass legislation - or to help
we've been able to try to look to the
wearing anti-smoking T-shirts -
Democrats craft an issue to lash
health issue of our children," Clinton said
highlighted the political complexity of
Republicans with in the fall elections.
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24
White House officials say Clinton's
stroking to pass legislation, particularly
have been profoundly moved by the
goal is emphatically to pass a bill. His
with the limited number of days Congress
extent to which this really has become an
choice of people assigned to the tobacco
is scheduled to be in session the rest of
issue about health, not politics; an issue
issue suggests this is the case.
the year. Clinton plans a steady drumbeat
about our children, not partisan
Chief of Staff Erskine B. Bowles and
of public events over the next several
differences," he said.
domestic policy adviser Bruce Reed -
weeks designed to heighten the profile of
Clinton allowed as there are "several
who have been meeting quietly with
the tobacco issue.
complexities" about a tobacco bill, such
lawmakers for weeks - are seen on
From the White House vantage point,
as how much money should be raised
Capitol Hill as less partisan figures than
as several Clinton aides described it in
from tobacco, how advertising should be
many of their White House colleagues.
recent days, there is a solid consensus in
restricted, and how much regulatory
Bowles helped craft last year's balanced
the Senate to pass a tobacco bill before
power should be invested in the Food and
budget agreement, which many
the Memorial Day recess. The hope is
Drug Administration. But Clinton
Democrats voted for only grudgingly.
that Senate action will transform the
portrayed these as finer points. "The big
Reed was a critical voice in urging
more hostile politics of the House, where
issue is that the children behind us
Clinton to sign the 1996 overhaul of
some Clinton aides point to forces on
deserve to have a future, and we know
welfare, which many Democrats opposed
both sides of the aisle who would be
that unless we do something to stop them
outright. In the perennial White House
happy to see tobacco legislation fail.
from being treated as replacement
debate over whether compromise or
Clinton, said senior adviser Rahm
smokers, their future will be restricted,"
conflict is the right approach toward
Emanuel, "is trying to work this
he said.
Republicans, both men are usually on the
legislation from the center out, and not
The latest annual report by the
side of compromise.
allow the extremes to tear this legislation
surgeon general, David Satcher, showed
Last week, just two days after
apart."
what other studies have highlighted: that
Democrats pasted Gingrich, Bowles met
In terms of public exhortation,
smoking continues to increase in allure to
privately with the speaker in his office,
Clinton's challenge is to create public
young people even as fewer adults
assuring him that Clinton wanted to work
pressure for action while avoiding the
smoke. Over the past six years, it said,
together on tobacco and other issues.
kind of rhetoric that would sour the
youth smoking has risen by nearly a
This week, Bowles and Reed continue
legislative process. If some Republicans
third, and some 40 percent of white high
their shuttle diplomacy to Capitol Hill,
accused Clinton of overstepping last
school students smoke. Smoking by high
with planned meetings with Sens. Bill
week, White House aides said the
school-age blacks, who still smoke less
Frist (R-Tenn.) and Ernest F. Hollings
president was sending a useful signal to
than white counterparts, rose by nearly
(D-S.C.), among others.
Gingrich about the risks he faces if he
80 percent from 1991 to 1997. The
At the same time, White House aides
blocks legislation. In any event, Clinton
smoking rate among Hispanic students
say it will take more than closed-door
moved back several steps yesterday. "I
rose by34 percent, the study found.
19. Boston Globe
April 28, 1998
Teenage smoking up sharply
Drastic increase is reported among blacks
By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff,
Harris, founder of the Boston-based
Market."
WASHINGTON Drastic increases in
Churches Organized to Stop Tobacco.
The tobacco showdown centers on a
smoking by black teenagers have created
But even as Clinton issued his call,
bill sponsored by Senator John McCain,
a public health "time bomb," Surgeon
others were mobilizing to stop the
an Arizona Republican, that would raise
General David A. Satcher warned
tobacco bill - at least in its current form.
cigarette taxes by $1.10 over five years
yesterday, as President Clinton pressed
Senate majority leader Trent Lott, though
and require the tobacco industry to pay
for landmark tobacco legislation amid
he held out the possibility of a vote on
the government $516 billion over 25
new attacks by Republican congressional
the issue before Memorial Day,
years. The measure passed the Senate
leaders.
underscored the GOP leadership's new
Commerce Committee last month by a
Issuing the 24th surgeon general's
opposition strategy by assailing the $516
vote of 19-1.
report since 1964 on the perils of tobacco
billion measure as a vehicle for raising
Hatch and several other key
use, Satcher said smoking among all
taxes and enlarging the federal
Republicans have sided with the tobacco
youth increased 33 percent over the past
bureaucracy.
industry by declaring the legislation so
six years, while smoking among black
Meanwhile, Senator Orrin Hatch, a
costly that it could bankrupt the cigarette
youth surged 80 percent.
Utah Republican who is chairman of the
makers. The issue faces numerous
"The call to action should be getting
Senate Judiciary Committee, signaled his
hearings in the House, where dozens of
louder," Clinton said in a White House
growing skepticism about the bill by
tobacco bills are pending.
ceremony attended by Howard Koh,
vowing to proceed with a hearing
Industry spokesman Scott Williams
Massachusetts
public
health
tomorrow titled, "Raising Tobacco
criticized yesterday's White House
commissioner, and the Rev. Hessie
Prices: New Opportunities for the Black
ceremony as "one gigantic photo
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25
opportunity designed to put political
Latino Americans.
Churches Organized to Stop Tobacco as
pressure on the Congress to pass a
Public health officials estimate that
an example of how community activism
half-trillion-dollar tax increase."
3,000 adolescents become regular
can counter cigarette marketers. In 1995,
Clinton, sharing a stage on the White
smokers every day and 1,000 of them will
the group helped to lead a successful
House South Lawn with rows of
die as a result. "Unless they are reversed,
protest in Boston against a new
teenagers, renewed the antismoking
these increases in tobacco use are a time
mentholated brand called "X," which was
theme that worked to his advantage in the
bomb for the health of our minority
packaged in the Afrocentric colors red,
1996 presidential election. He called it a
populations," Satcher said. "If tobacco
black, and green, and featured a
national imperative to spare children
use continues to increase among minority
prominent "X," reminiscent of Malcolm
from the well-documented health risks of
adolescents, we can expect severe health
X.
cigarettes.
consequences to be felt in the early part
But the Massachusetts experience,
"They're just kids," Clinton said.
of the next century."
while offering a national model, provided
"We're the grown-ups. If we know what
Massachusetts is an exception to the
little comfort amid yesterday's news of
the danger is and we know what the
national findings, largely because of the
tobacco use among minority groups.
remedy is, are we going to do what it
state's aggressive, $32 million
"Tobacco is ravaging our racial and
takes to save their lives and their health
antitobacco campaign, according to
ethnic communities," said Health and
and their future or not?"
public health officials.
Human Services Secretary Donna
The sharp increase in smoking among
Between 1993 and 1996, cigarette
Shalala.
black teenagers presented a disturbing
smoking in Massachusetts dropped
The report also found that adult black
turnaround to public health officials, who
among black students in grades 7 through
men who smoke and contract lung cancer
had long lauded black teenagers for
12, from 22.1 percent to 18.7 percent.
are far more likely to die from the disease
largely resisting the lure of cigarettes.
The level of smoking stayed the same for
than white male smokers, a disparity
With the increase, about 20 percent of
Latino youth over that period, although a
which may indicate unequal access to
all black high-school students smoke, the
spokesman for the Department of Public
health care.
same rate as Asian American teenagers,
Health did not have the exact percentage
About 81 percent of black male
the report found.
available yesterday. No numbers have
smokers with lung cancer die, compared
By contrast, 40 percent of white
been kept for Asian American youth in
to 54 percent of their white counterparts,
high-school students smoke, 50 percent
the state.
the study says.
of Native Americans, and 33 percent of
The surgeon general's report cites
20. USA Today
April 28, 1998
Calif. students face tough balancing act
By Charisse Jones, USA TODAY
OAKLAND - Ashley Shaw-Scott grew
and UC-Santa Barbara. "Why would I go
especially distressing. Students like
up here knowing that she would not have
somewhere that doesn't value students
Ashley must balance the benefits of a
to go far to attend one of the nation's
like me?"
low-cost education at a respected public
pre-eminent universities. The University
Ashley isn't the only one asking that
"university with fears that they will not
of California at Berkeley is just up the
question as California comes to grips
feel welcome and will find few students
road. And the university's other seven
with Proposition 209, the law voters
like themselves.
campuses are an hour away, at most, by
enacted in 1996 to outlaw racial
They experience pressure from parents
plane.
preferences in education, employment
and teachers who say they must go
Her solid grades and 1410 SAT scores
and public contracts. There are lessons
because they were among the chosen few.
won her admission to two UC campuses,
for the rest of the country, too, as various
Their joy at being admitted is tempered
putting her in the select company of
states ponder whether to follow
by guilt that many of their classmates
about 1,200 black high school seniors to
California's lead and eliminate
were not. And some are torn between
make the grade.
affirmative action.
private colleges wooing them to move far
But Ashley, 17, a National Merit
Early this month, as admissions and
away and families who need them to stay
scholar, will be leaving California when
rejection letters were mailed, it became
close to home.
September rolls around for Wellesley
clear that the number of minority students
UC officials began to consider race
College, outside Boston. When she saw
in the next freshman class would be the
and gender in admissions in the late
the sharp decline in the number of blacks,
lowest in nearly two decades.
1970s, taking those factors into account
Hispanics and Native Americans
Now the students who beat the odds
along with grades, SAT scores, economic
admitted to the class of 2002 at the giant
and were accepted are wrestling with
disadvantage and extracurricular
University of California - the first class
whether to say yes to the university that
activities. That was the system followed
selected without affirmative action she
said no to so many of their friends. The
until this year when, under Proposition
decided she didn't want any part of the
University of California, like most
209, any consideration of race or gender
place.
colleges across the country, gives
was banned.
"I was disgusted," said Ashley, a
students until May I - Friday - to
Foes of affirmative action say that
senior at San Francisco's University High
make up their minds.
today's students should be heartened that
School who was accepted at UC-Davis
In California, that decision is
they got into a UC campus without the
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26
kind of preferential boost their older
The university's fear is that the number
encourage every student of color who
brothers and sisters got.
of black, Hispanic and Native American
was admitted to attend.
"The kids who were admitted to UC
students who actually choose to attend a
Berkeley's chancellor, Robert Berdahl,
Berkeley or UCLA, no matter their racial
UC school could drop precipitously,
said he would lobby minority students
background, can feel confident and proud
accounting for less than 10% of the
himself. "I believe this will be a loss to
that they got in under their own
incoming class, though these minorities
Berkeley, and, if they leave the state, for
individual merit," says Jennifer Nelson,
account for 37% of the state's population.
the future leadership of California,"
executive director of the American Civil
"I'm afraid we're moving towards a
Berdahl said. "I will personally phone as
Rights Institute. The institute was
fast-track resegregation of higher
many of these students as I can."
founded by Ward Connerly, a university
education and then ultimately
"We have some work to do to
regent and the architect of Proposition
resegregation of the society," says
convince these kids that UC can benefit
209.
Ling-chi Wang, chair of the ethnic
from their attendance," says Terry Colvin,
UC officials, however, worry that
studies department at Berkeley. "What
a spokesman for the university. "Every
many of the brightest students admitted
has taken the University of California 30
college in the country is after those kids,
to the freshman class will, like Ashley
years to achieve is going to take less than
and we want them to come to us."
Shaw-Scott, bypass a system they view as
two or three years to undo."
But Ashley says the UCs made no
unwelcoming and enroll instead at
(Asians, 11% of California's
effort to reach out to her though she was
private colleges outside the state.
population, are not considered an
heavily recruited by private colleges.
And they are right to worry.
under-represented minority within the
She was initially attracted to schools
Traditionally, about one-third of all
UC system and have never been subject
such as Smith College in Massachusetts
students admitted to the university system
to affirmative action. At UC Irvine, Asian
and Spelman, historically a college for
actually enroll. And though a year at a
students outnumber whites, and at some
black women in Atlanta. Last fall, she
UC costs $12,000 for tuition, room and
other campuses Asians nearly equal
attended a special weekend for women of
board, compared to $27,924 at Wellesley,
whites.)
color at Wellesley, where potential
many students of color are being wooed
So concerned are university officials
students were paired with blacks and
by Ivy League schools with hefty
about losing minority prospects that they
Hispanics already enrolled.
financial aid packages.
have launched outreach efforts to
"It wasn't just 'we want you to come to
a SAT score of 1170 out of 1600,
Latino alumni association. But it may
our school.' It was 'we want you to do
Yobany was accepted at every school to
consist of three members."
well,' she says of Wellesley's message.
which he applied, including UC Irvine
Yobany left with his mind made up.
"That's really important when you're
and Berkeley. But he always wanted to be
"T'll be a Bruin," he said.
deciding on where you want to go to
a Bruin, swathed in blue and gold,
Debating UC Berkeley VS. MIT
college. It's hard enough being away from
cheering in UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
Aden Allen wants to be an engineer,
your family without being at a school that
Yet he was put off by the scarcity of
so he weighs a college's merits by the
doesn't really care about you."
Hispanics at UCLA. "I went up there last
numbers: Where does its engineering
She fears the UC system will pay a
night and just walked around the
school rank? How many students
high price for sacrificing minority
campus," says Yobany, one of 1,001
graduate in four years?
students. "You don't just learn from
Hispanics to be admitted to UCLA's next
Aden, 17, has boosted his grade point
books. We learn from people, students
freshman class. "And it felt a little weird.
average above 4.0 by taking a load of
learning from students. And when you
The first thing that came to my mind was,
advanced placement courses, and he
lose something like that, you've really
'Where are the Hispanics?"
scored 1,380 on his SATs. He was one of
lost a lot."
He also applied to two schools in
191 African Americans admitted to
USA TODAY also interviewed three
Colorado, just in case he didn't get into
Berkeley's fall freshman class. "It's like
other students admitted to UC campuses.
any of the UC campuses. He thought long
playing the lottery," he says of his good
All had strongly considered entering the
and hard about Colorado State.
fortune.
system, but following the end of
But the University of California would
Now he must choose between
affirmative action, began to have second
not give up on Yobany without a fight.
Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute
thoughts. Here are their stories:
Among the many letters and phone calls
of Technology. Aden was disturbed by
How far to go from East L.A.?
he received from UC alumni urging him
the end of affirmative action. But he says
Yobany Chacon is 18 but talks like a
to attend was a letter from Antonio
that will not affect his decision. Instead,
man far older. While taking advanced
Villaraigosa, the speaker of the California
his choice hinges on financial aid,
courses at Garfield High School in East
Assembly and a Hispanic graduate of
academics and whether he can tolerate a
Los Angeles, he worked up to 30 hours a
UCLA.
Massachusetts winter. "I'm still trying to
week at a Starbucks to help support his
The final push from UCLA came on a
decide whether to go fight the cold or
55-year-old mother, Victoria Ramirez,
rainy Saturday at a reception hosted by
stay in this warm weather," Aden says.
who suffers from back trouble.
UCLA's Latino Alumni Association.
He always planned to go to Berkeley.
But in the three weeks after he got his
A soft-spoken medical student uttered
He grew up here in Oakland, the city that
acceptance letter from UCLA, he was
the words Yobany wanted to hear. "No
borders the college town, and his older
gripped by a child's uncertainty. He does
one is successful in a university setting
brother and mother both went there. He
not want to leave his mother. "She's
without a team behind them," said
has sported Cal T-shirts and caps his
helped me a lot," says Yobany. His
Gilberto Hernandez, noting UCLA's
entire life.
mother raised him by herself working as
strong network of Hispanic alumni.
Then he visited MIT's campus. "If I
a seamstress. "And I owe her a lot."
"Where are your talents going to be
could get a certain amount of money to
With a grade-point average of 3.7 and
nurtured? Other schools may have a
go to MIT, it would move up" on his list,
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27
he says.
at Berkeley and I could say give it to you,
her ambitions will not allow her to
Aden knows not everyone is as lucky
I would do it," says Xochil, 17, who with
forsake the UC system entirely.
as he is, able to attend Bishop O'Dowd, a
a perfect 4.0 grade-point average is
She wants to study biological science
respected Catholic private high school in
valedictorian at Oakland's Castlemont
at a school not far from her East Oakland
Oakland. He defends UC students from
High School. "I really feel bad that they
neighborhood. UC Davis, her choice, is
earlier classes who might have benefited
didn't get in. I know a lot of them wanted
less than an hour away by car.
from racial preferences.
to go."
The school has offered her $6,000 in
"Even those who got there because of
Once she, too, wanted to go to
financial aid. And unlike Berkeley and
affirmative action could hold their own,"
Berkeley. She spent a lot of time there as
UCLA, the percentage of minority
he says. "I wonder about people who've
part of Upward Bound, a program that
students admitted to the Davis freshman
gone to public schools their whole life,
guides underprivileged youths towards
class dropped only slightly.
and now the best public school in
college. But the demise of affirmative
One Berkeley undergraduate lobbied
California has just closed their doors on
action changed her mind.
hard for her to go there, but also gave her
them."
"If I went to Berkeley
I'd really
a piece of invaluable advice. "She said,
Saying no to Berkeley
stand out," says Xochil, who will be the
'wherever you go, make sure your voice
The same day Xochil Jimenez got her
first member of her family to graduate
is heard. Be down with your race and
acceptance letter from Berkeley, she
from high school. "I don't think I'd be
make it known that you want more who
wrote back, and declined. Her only regret
comfortable."
look like you, and think like you, and are
is that she cannot specify who will get
It is not only Berkeley's dwindling
like you, at that school.'"
her spot.
number of Hispanics that bothers her.
"I tell my friends, 'IfI gave up my spot
She craves a smaller campus as well. But
21. U.S. News & World Report
04/27/98Section: Culture & Ideas; Cover Story; Page 34-37, 40-41, 44, 46
The new education bazaar
Charter schools represent the free market in action-with all its problems
By Thomas Toch
experiment in education reform. For over
both political conservatives-who view
David Mackey liked the idea of running
a century, local school boards have held a
them as a step toward a more radically
his own school. So last year he got a
tight monopoly on where and how
demonopolized system in which students
franchise to open a branch of Life School
students can receive schooling at public
would receive vouchers to attend public,
College Preparatory, a new kind of
expense. But deepening dissatisfaction
private, or parochial schools-and
"public" school. The company holds a
with traditional public schools has
moderates who see charters as a way of
charter to educate Arizona kids with
changed the landscape. Conservative
averting precisely this dramatic step.
public funds outside the regular school
thinkers have long argued that public
Both groups believe that charter schools,
system and offers franchises to operators
schools would do a better job if they had
which in their purest form operate largely
for a fee of $1,000 per student. Now
to compete for customers, as private
beyond the reach of school boards and
Mackey, who once taught public school
firms do. Now, a hybrid "free market"
teachers' unions, can strengthen public
in Utah and worked as education curator
system, in which students and parents
education by promoting competition and
at a Phoenix firefighting museum,
exercise choice but the public pays the
by liberating innovators from the
teaches math, science, history, and
costs, is becoming a reality.
shackles of tradition. President Clinton, a
English to two dozen students, grades
TD Since 1988, 16 states have passed
strong backer of the charter concept, has
seven through 12, in a small room in a
"school choice" laws granting students
called for quadrupling the number of
single-story, downtown professional
permission to attend schools beyond the
charter schools to 3,000 within the next
building in Mesa, Ariz. He had to recruit
geographic borders of their local school
two years.
the students himself, and if his
districts tuition free. More than 4,000
In two states, Arizona and Michigan,
enrollment drops, so does his $40,000
"magnet" schools allow students to select
the notion of a free-market school system
income-each student brings about
schools with special teaching or
has moved well beyond the theoretical
$4,500 in state funding. The founder of
curriculum themes within their school
stage. Charter laws in both states are the
Life School, James Alverson, a former
systems. And six years after the first
most permissive in the nation: Virtually
public school teacher himself, says he
charter school opened in Minnesota,
any person or organization can open a
borrowed the single-person franchise idea
there are nearly 800 such independent
charter school and enjoy wide latitude
from Amway, the home-products
public schools educating more than
over staffing, curriculum, and spending,
distributor.
165,000 students in 23 states and the
and the backing of the state lawmakers
Until recently, the notion of
District of Columbia.
and regulators. Together, Arizona's 241
maximizing profits and creating incentive
Of all these free-market reforms,
charters and Michigan's 107 make up
schemes had little to do with running a
charters have attracted particular interest
nearly half the total number of charters in
public school. But Mackey and hundreds
because they represent the most dramatic
the United States.
of other charter-school operators like him
departure from traditional schooling.
Good and bad. Yet weeks of reporting
around the country are part of a bold new
Proponents of charter schools include
in the two states, including visits to
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
28
nearly three dozen charter schools, yield
models are inevitable features of
wider variety of options for students with
a picture of educational
tomorrow's education, the operating
different learning styles. The teaching
entrepreneurialism that features not only
realities of charter schools in Arizona and
philosophies of two charters in Mesa,
the classic benefits of any market-based
Michigan are reminders of perils to
Ariz., for example, couldn't offer a more
enterprise but also the classic drawbacks.
avoid-and guideposts for parents
striking contrast: Benjamin Franklin
Charter schools are both better and worse
seeking the right schools for their
Charter School is a throwback to Norman
than ordinary public schools. Their
children.
Rockwell schools of the 1950s, with
problems are different, having more to do
High-quality charter schools share one
well-scrubbed students working silently
with those of a free-wheeling market than
trait: They have brought new participants
at desks in tidy rows, under the watchful
a state bureaucracy. The best charter
who care about children's welfare into
eye of no-nonsense teachers. Several
schools pursue innovation and
public education. A dozen or so
miles away at the Montessori Education
educational excellence with an
Detroit-area clergy, for instance, have
Centre Charter School, elementary
enthusiasm sorely lacking in many
started charters to help students
students grouped three grades to a room
traditional public schools. But these
languishing in the city's public schools.
sprawl on the floor or bunch together at
schools are the minority. Much more
Charter schools are also generally small
tables, learning math by grouping beads
common are schools beset with problems
and safe, offering a cohesiveness hard to
and working on sound-letter
as bad as-and in some cases worse
find in Arizona's and Michigan's often
relationships, or drawing in their
than-those found in traditional public
large public schools.
journals. When they need help, they call
schools. If competition and market
Charter schools in both states offer a
their teachers by their first names.
A few schools in both states are truly
Excel Education Centers Inc., and the
Hard to learn. No one would dispute
innovative. In Michigan, a secondary
Leona Group. These companies take
that bad teaching and scarce resources
school created by the Ford Motor Co. is
advantage of the fact that Arizona
plague many traditional public schools.
located in the Henry Ford Museum in
requires high school students to attend
But shortages are so severe in some
Dearborn. Students study the museum's
only four hours of school a day. They
charter schools in Arizona and Michigan
technology exhibits as part of the
target kids on the margins of traditional
that it's hard to see how any learning can
curriculum. A smattering of new schools
public schools-low achievers, discipline
take place. Many of the charters' teachers
have established themselves as
problems, truants-with pledges of swift
are low-paid neophytes; as a result, staff
specialized educational powerhouses,
and simple routes to graduation. And
turnover is high. Labs and libraries are
including Sankofa Shule, an Afrocentric
many of the companies increase their
rare. Even basic classroom supplies are
elementary school in Lansing, Mich., that
revenues by running two or three
often lacking: The kindergarten teacher at
includes instruction in four languages,
four-hour sessions a day and substituting
EcoTech Agricultural Charter School in
and the Arizona School for the Arts, a
self-paced computer instruction for a
Chandler, Ariz., for example, appeared to
junior/senior high school in Phoenix that
regular teaching staff.
have little more than paper and pencils
couples a half-day performing-arts
Academic standards in such "high
available for her students. And there are
program with a college-prep core
schools"-many occupy a few rooms in
plenty of charter schools housed in
curriculum.
commercial buildings-are often very
buildings few would deem conducive to
Most fundamentally, the spread of
low. Marilynn Henley, Arizona's
learning: Teachers at the West Michigan
charters in Arizona and Michigan proves
curriculum director in the mid-'90s, who
Academy of Environmental Sciences
that competition can promote reform. So
last year visited more than 100 of the
spent more than a year teaching 300
far, the Mesa school system, Arizona's
state's charter schools, calls the computer
students at picnic tables and old desks in
largest, has lost only 1,600 of its 70,000
coursework "work sheets on screens—
the Stadium Arena in Grand Rapids,
students to the area's many charter
mostly at a seventh- or eighth-grade
briefly vacating the building for a
schools. But the mere existence of the
level." Many "courses" last only a few
knife-and-gun show.
schools seems to have motivated the
weeks. There is typically no homework.
Even more disturbing is the
mainstream bureaucracy. To stanch the
And many students get credits for
opportunity for profiteering created by
flow of students to the likes of Ben
after-school work, including, in the case
charter laws in Arizona and Michigan.
Franklin and the Education Centre, the
of students at the Arizona Career
When William and Mary Delaney turned
district is opening new traditional and
Academy, a nonprofit charter in Tempe,
Warwick Pointe Academy, a private
Montessori elementary schools, building
jobs in fast-food restaurants.
elementary school they owned and
a performing-arts magnet school, and
Standards in many of Arizona's
operated in Grand Blanc, Mich., into a
adding daylong kindergartens to many
for-profit charter high schools with
public charter school in 1996, they began
elementary schools to court working
conventionally taught courses aren't any
charging the school $200,000 a year in
parents.
higher. At the Leona Group's new
rent for the building and furnishings-
If the best of a newly marketized
Apache Trail High School in Apache
over three times the -foot rate paid by
system is very good, however, the worst
Junction, where staffers are paid bonuses
several public schools and another
has problems rarely encountered in
for raising enrollment, 30 students taking
charter school in the area. William
traditional public education. And in
a course called "American literature
Delaney declined to discuss the rent.
scores of charters in Arizona and
through cinema" listened (with the
A study of Arizona's charters
Michigan, curricula and teaching are
exception of those asleep at their desks)
conducted last year turned up a number
weak, buildings are substandard, and
to the soundtrack from Last of the
of instances where the enrollments
financial abuses are surprisingly
Mohicans. Defenders of the charter high
schools submitted to claim state aid
prevalent. Nearly half Arizona's charters
schools say the schools offer a second
differed sharply from the schools' average
are high schools, the majority run by
chance to students abandoned by
attendance. In Michigan, the Romulus
chains such as PPEP TEC High School,
traditional public education.
public school system sought to profit
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
29
from another market reform-the state's
rural school systems out to make money
Phoenix. The school's founder and chief
new school-choice law. Located just west
by charging chartering fees of up to 10
executive is Armando Ruiz, a former
of Detroit, the Romulus system opened a
percent of the charter schools' revenues.
state senator and adviser to former Gov.
school within the Detroit school district's
The Arizona charter law also let
Fife Symington. His twin brother,
borders. It enrolled about 2,200 students,
sponsoring school systems count charter
Fernando, is the school's budget director;
including many dropouts, offering as one
students as their own for state-aid
his younger brother Reyes is the school's
attraction a $50 "signing bonus." The
purposes,
a
since-rescinded
"spiritual development" director; his
school qualified for $14 million in state
double-dipping opportunity that gave the
mother, Estella, is an administrator; his
aid, but only about a fifth of the students
3,300-student Window Rock school
father, Reyes Sr., is a school carpenter;
continued to attend the school. (Last
district, located on the Navajo Indian
his sister, Rebecca, is a teacher. While
year, the Michigan legislature outlawed
reservation in northeast Arizona, an
the family-run model is ideal for many
such practices in Detroit, causing the
added $200,000 to a budget of $20
small businesses, the potential for abuse
school to close.)
million.
in public contracting is obvious; the law
Traditional public school systems
Nepotism is widespread in Arizona
in Arizona bans nepotism in regular
have the ability to grant charters in
and Michigan charter schools. One
public schools but not in charter schools.
Arizona. Most of those that have done so,
example is NFL-YET Academy, a
however, have been tiny, cash-strapped
620-student elementary school in
Such problems have multiplied in the
monitors) saw was wonderful. But if it
by state universities: Central Michigan
absence of rigorous oversight. "We have
wasn't, OK. In the main, I'm pleased, far
University, Grand Valley State, Saginaw
not found a single (state) with a
and away, with the quality of the public
Valley State, and a few others, all of
well-formed plan for dealing with
charter schools.
How much
whose boards of trustees were appointed
problem schools or outright failures,"
monitoring do you think is going on in
by Republican Gov. John Engler. Engler
write conservative education expert
the traditional system?"
is a staunch advocate of charters who
Chester Finn Jr. and his coauthors in
Two governor-appointed boards that
readily acknowledges that he pressed
their 1997 report, "Charter Schools in
grant charters in Arizona, the State Board
trustees to promote charter schools.
Action." Local school systems have
of Education and the State Board for
Instead of closing down a severely
largely sidestepped the task of monitoring
Charter Schools, also declined to take
troubled school in Muskegon, the head of
the 50 or so charter schools they sponsor
action against many schools discovered
the charter-school office at Grand Valley
in Arizona. Window Rock, for instance,
during the evaluation to have serious
served as the school's interim principal
hasn't assigned any staff to keep tabs on
educational problems. The boards,
for several weeks. Harry Ross, director of
the dozen schools it has chartered, the
dominated by free-market advocates,
oversight at Central Michigan's
closest of which is 400 miles away.
revoked two charters in the wake of the
charter-school office, says the university
Window Rock's new school
evaluation, including that of Alan
had nearly 30 charter schools in
superintendent, Paul Hanley, did move to
Wright, a past superintendent of
operation before it hired oversight staff.
close four schools last fall, including two
education at the Arizona Department of
Keegan and other market-reform
run by Reed Gaddie, who in 1989 was
Juvenile Corrections, who recruited many
advocates argue that it is consumers-
sentenced to jail on a drug paraphernalia
students from the state's youth justice
parents and students-who should
charge. One of Gaddie's schools,
system to his 12 Success charter schools.
determine the fate of charter schools. "If
Community Campus, had no building
The state said Wright failed to serve
the education in charter schools isn't
and was conducting classes in a park; the
special-education students and committed
good, people leave, and the schools don't
other, the Arizona Career and
other transgressions, which he denied. (A
stay in business. It's a better way to run a
Technology High School, on one
state court recently reinstated Wright's
system," she says. Yet neither Arizona
occasion last fall resorted to "locking
charter on due-process grounds, though
nor Michigan incorporates testing
down" students in their classrooms with
the Success schools have shut down.)
systems to measure whether charter
custodians and construction workers
But over three dozen schools in last
students are learning any more than their
patrolling the halls to keep order.
year's evaluation of Arizona's charters
counterparts in regular public schools—
State chartering boards haven't been
that were identified as having education
making it difficult for parents and
eager to crack down on abuses, either.
programs bad enough to close were left
students to make smart choices.
Last year's evaluation of Arizona's charter
alone on the grounds that they weren't
In fact, the choices may be fewer than
schools was conducted by the staff of
physically endangering students or
many consumers realize: Though funded
Lisa Graham Keegan, Arizona's elected
defrauding taxpayers. The systematic
with tax revenues, many charters have
state superintendent of schools, after
evaluation of the charter schools by
proved less welcoming than truly
Keegan's office began receiving many
Keegan's staff ended last fall, halted by
"public" schools. To be eligible for
complaints about the schools. But
the heads of the two charter boards and
federal start-up grants, the schools must
Keegan's department didn't make the
Keegan, a former speech pathologist who
be open to any student who applies and
evaluation's troubling findings public
entered the Arizona legislature at age 30
must use a lottery if they are
until nearly a year later-after the state
and coauthored the state's charter law
oversubscribed. But Arizona doesn't
school board association lawyer filed a
after failing to push through voucher
require charters to use a lottery, and some
freedom-of-information request, and after
legislation. Through a spokesperson, they
schools that have received federal funds
Keegan's top charter-school aide removed
say that the Arizona Department of
don't. The well-regarded New School for
evaluators' handwritten notes on their
Education is not required by law to
the Arts in Scottsdale, for example, has a
school visits, as allowed by law. Says
conduct charter-school evaluations.
lengthy waiting list. Yet it considers
Keegan about the evaluators' report: "I
No furniture. In Michigan, the
applicants on a first-to-apply basis and
would prefer that everything {the
majority of charter schools are sponsored
then counsels out students not suited to
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
30
its advanced arts program.
"zero tolerance" discipline policies that
for families who couldn't otherwise
Some charter schools discourage
they discuss in long, preadmission
afford private schooling. But to the extent
special-needs students from applying.
interviews with parents and students as a
that such schools don't open their doors
Lyle Voskuil, director of special
way to discourage potential bad apples.
to "outsiders," charter laws are simply
education at eight Grand Rapids area
"We're trying to get our share of good
creating public subsidies for private
charters run by National Heritage
kids," says Japen Hollist of Life School
schooling, and encouraging social
Academies, a for-profit company, says
in Mesa. "We've raised the dress code to
balkanization. The A.G.B.U. Alex and
that for financial reasons his schools offer
scare off a few, and we have frank
Marie Manoogian School in Southfield,
no more than three hours of special-ed
conversations with others."
Mich., for example, was a private
services to a student a week and that they
Twenty percent of Arizona's charter
Armenian church school before it became
urge the parents of students who need
schools and nearly half the charters in
a charter two years ago (tripling its
more help not to attend the schools. "We
Michigan are former private schools that
revenue in the process). As a charter
tell them upfront that they may be better
converted to charter status-frequently as
school, its board, faculty, and student
off elsewhere," says Voskuil. Traditional
a way to raise their revenues. Many of
body are still almost entirely Armenian.
public schools don't have that luxury.
these "conversion" schools-including
"Not a lot of new kids apply,"
Bad apples. Arizona's charter high
some 20 Montessori schools in Arizona
acknowledges principal Nadya Sarafian,
school chains may recruit troubled
and two prestigious private schools in
who keeps small U.S. and Armenian flags
students, but other charter operators work
Detroit, Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse and
side by side on her desk.
to keep such students out. Many have
Aisha Shule-have created more options
Nowhere are the separatist tendencies
lines has also created church-state
central-office edicts and teacher-union
of some charter schools more strongly
conflicts. A year after Heritage Academy
contracts-and thus not responsible for
reflected than at Sankofa Shule, one of
Inc., a privately run Mesa high school,
their own performance. They were told
half a dozen African-centered charters in
converted to charter status, the Arizona
what to spend money on, whom to hire,
Michigan. While its students clearly
Republic reported that the school was
and what to teach. Many charter schools,
thrive in a setting celebrating their
teaching creationism in its science
in contrast, are largely free of such
heritage, Sankofa deliberately places
classes-and violating the law in the
bureaucracy. In exchange for that
itself outside the cultural mainstream.
process. The school's headmaster at first
freedom, it would make sense to allow
Rather than Labor Day, Memorial Day,
defended the practice. Later, faced with
public authorities to scrutinize charters'
and Presidents' Day, it observes holidays
the loss of state funding, he vowed
financial practices and educational
such as African Independence Day and
instead to teach neither creationism nor
results-and to crack down on laggards.
Malcolm X Remembrance Day. "The
evolution.
Such a trade-off could in turn inspire a
traditional concept of Thanksgiving, like
Keegan and other charter backers
similarly rigorous system of
the Fourth of July, really has nothing to
contend that charter schools shouldn't be
accountability in traditional public
do with us," writes a teacher in the school
held to higher standards than traditional
schools. What is clear from the Arizona
newsletter. And a daily "affirmation"
public schools. Yet charter schools offer
and Michigan experiences with charters
spoken by the entire school begins, "I
a chance to introduce a level of
is that, without rigorous accountability,
pledge to my African nation
accountability absent from public
both students and taxpayers suffer.
The segregation of many charter
education in the past. For decades, public
schools along ethnic, racial, and religious
schools have been at the mercy of
22. CyberTimes (New York Times on the web)
April 28, 1998
Study Shows Students Use Internet Primarily for
Research
By PAMELA MENDELS
New York City, SchoolTech, and a
of market research for the Denver-based
Numerous studies have established
company official fleshed-out the findings
company.
that Internet use in schools is rising
at the request of a reporter.
Indeed, about 65 percent of the
dramatically, but how, exactly, are
In its third annual survey of Internet
teachers who responded to the survey
teachers and students employing this new
use in schools, the company surveyed
said that they use the Internet in their
technology?
about 400 K-12 teachers at public
work - and close to 30 percent reported
According to a recent survey, the most
schools throughout the country.
using it daily.
popular use of the Internet is for research.
The study, conducted by telephone in
The largest group, 69 percent of those
That is one of the findings of a study
February, found that about 82 percent of
who turn to the Internet at least once
scheduled to be released in late May by
schools are connected to the Internet.
weekly as a teaching aid, said that they
Quality Education Data, a market
Less than half were wired when the study
use it for research.
research company that studies trends in
was first conducted in 1996. Increasingly,
The next largest group - 66 percent
education. Preliminary findings of the
classrooms - rather than libraries or
- browse the Internet to get curriculum
study were released this week at a trade
computer labs - are being wired, too,
material. The third most popular use, by
show on education and technology in
according to Karin K. Hendersin, director
46 percent of the teachers participating,
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
31
was for professional development,
spend up to two hours online. Research
most often in their profession. The most
followed closely, at 44 percent, by lesson
was the most widespread use, with 49
popular site, named by 11 percent of
planning. About 35 percent said they use
percent of teachers reporting that their
respondents, was the United States
the Internet as a "presentation tool" to
students used the Internet at least once a
Department of Education site, followed
display material to their students in the
week for this purpose. Twenty one
by the Educational Resources
classroom.
percent reported students doing online
Information Clearinghouse and the
Most teachers reported that the
projects in class and 19 percent reported
National Aeronautics and Space
students in their classes spent an hour or
that the students used e-mail in the
Administration (NASA) Web site.
less a week doing "hands-on" Internet
classroom.
work. But almost a quarter - 23 percent
The study also asked the teachers to
- reported that students in their class
name the three Web sites that they use
23. Dow Jones News Service
04/27/98
GOP May Attach Student Loan Plan To Mid-Year
Spending Bill
By Jennifer Corbett Dooren
approve a measure to change student loan
approved as part of a 1993 law - when
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)-
interest rates before July 1 when such
interest rates were higher and when
Republican leaders may attach legislation
rates are likely to drop below 7% because
lawmakers expected the government's
that would lower the interest rate students
a new formula used to calculate the rates
direct lending program to handle more
currently pay on federally-backed
will take place.
than the 30% of student loans it currently
education loans to a bill that would
Earlier this month lawmakers on the
places. Banks have threatened to pull out
provide funding for weather-related
House and Senate education committees
of the student loan market if the July 1
disaster relief and U.S. military
agreed to change student loan interest
change takes place.
operations.
rates so that students would see lower
Lawmakers are scheduled to meet
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott,
rates than they are currently paying and
Tuesday to begin working out the
R-Miss., said Monday that it was likely
to keep banks in the system.
differences between the disaster and
that the mid-year spending bill would
Students would pay 7.43% rather than
defense spending bills that were
include the student loan interest rate
the 8.25% maximum rate for education
approved by the House and the Senate
change.
loans and lenders would receive a 50
last month.
It is still unclear how lawmakers
basis point subsidy from the federal
(MORE) DOW JONES NEWS
would pay for the interest rate measure,
government to bring the rate they receive
04-27-98
which is estimated to cost about $3
to 7.93%. The subsidy could cost more
05:04 PM
billion over five years.
than $3 billion over five years.
Lawmakers are under pressure to
The July 1 formula change was
24. Good Morning America (ABC)
04/27/98Section: NEWS;
PARENT TO PARENT
TEACHING KIDS TO ARGUE
By STEVE AVESON
Arguing is a real skill that not only takes
JAMES BAKER, Secretary of State:
CHARLES GIBSON
serious concentration but also practice.
I'm not going to get into a debate with
CHARLES GIBSON, Host: One of
And our Steve Aveson is here with
you about...
the most important parts of education is
more. Steve?
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) From
for a child to be able to form an argument
STEVE AVESON: Imagine, arguing
a young age, we learn that arguing is one
and defend it. So in this morning's
being an actually positive thing! Well,
way to make a point.
Parent to Parent, we're going to talk
working with more than 200 children in a
Secy. JAMES BAKER: I simply do
about teaching children to argue. Believe
Pittsburgh middle school, researchers
not agree with that.
it or not, a recent study shows that
from the University of Akron found that
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) Of
parents should encourage their kids to
teaching kids to debate an issue without
course, there are good ways to argue and
argue, to form an argument, to be able to
losing their tempers gives them a skill
there are ways that are less effective.
defend it. We're not talking about the
that will benefit them throughout life.
And when children don't learn the
yelling and name calling that so many
And parents agreed. Not only were their
difference between the right way and the
kids and, in many cases, parents have
kids more controlled when arguing, they
wrong way to argue, it can turn to
perfected, because those are just fights.
also proved to be better listeners.
violence.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
32
Prof. ANDREW RANCER, University
convinced, good arguing can actually
Middle School Teacher: They'll say, "Oh,
of Akron: Conventional wisdom would
decrease violence. That's why here at the
I've been in a lot of arguments." But
suggest that arguing is not good, don't
Fort Couch Middle School in
really what they've been in is fights and
argue. But that's because people confuse
Pennsylvania, they're encouraging kids to
disagreements and yelling and screaming
the two. People are confusing what
argue.
and using verbal aggression. First I try to
argumentativeness is, which is
1st STUDENT: Give me the
explain to them that's not really an
constructive, and verbal aggression,
controller.
argument.
which is destructive.
2nd STUDENT: No, I have it first.
3rd STUDENT: Give me the
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) After
1st STUDENT: No, shut up and give
(inaudible).
20 years of studying the way people
me the controller.
4th STUDENT: No! Get away!
disagree, Professor Andrew Rancer is
VALERIE WHITECAP, Fort Couch
VALERIE WHITECAP: The
change in the way he - you know, his
Then, what you've got to do is, you
definition of argument is that it's an
arguments make more sense. You know,
have to define the topic. If you're talking
opportunity to define and defend a
you could see there was some thought
about allowance, talk about allowance. If
position and destroy the position of
and some logical thinking, and he was
you're talking about bedtime, talk about
someone else.
trying to, you know, present his point of
bedtime. Don't bring in the fact that you
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) The
view.
didn't clean your room earlier in the day.
key is to use words to define the problem,
PRABHA SANKARKNARAYAN,
That's not the issue. The issue is one
but not just any words.
Aditya's Mother: Not only does he make
thing and one thing only. Agree on what
5th STUDENT: I think your clothes
the case, he's also able to hear what we
that is, and then go forward with your
suck, they're so ugly.
have to say differently, which is the other
argument.
6th STUDENT: Shut up, you 'tard.
difference in him.
The next good idea is to really do
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) These
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over) At
what we said in this piece, which is,
seventh-graders are taught to avoid using
the Fort Couch Middle School, they are
listen. The best way for parents to teach
destructive words that attack the person.
expecting results similar to other research
their kids how to listen is to actually
Instead, they're encouraged to use
that shows kids who argue are creative
listen to their kids when they have an
constructive words that build toward a
thinkers and become skillful at solving
argument, because they have some
solution.
problems. But Andrew Rancer is also
legitimate things to say.
7th STUDENT: I think we should go
expecting an even bigger impact.
CHARLES GIBSON: Interesting you
to the movies.
Prof. ANDREW RANCER: If we can
bring up the topic of money, because my
8th STUDENT: No, we should go to
make some inroads in providing students
girl...
the mall.
with some skills that they didn't have
STEVE AVESON: Something that's
7th STUDENT: Why?
before, and some understanding of why
close to your heart, Charlie.
8th STUDENT: No way. (crosstalk)
arguing is important and why I should
CHARLES GIBSON: Well, no, I just
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over)
learn how to do it, then we - then we
got a - I got a very reasoned, very well
Showing disrespect is also off limits.
may have helped in the reduction of
thought-out argument, a two and a half
Kids are not allowed to interrupt while a
school-related violence.
page letter, from my daughter at college
point is being made. You get to talk until
CHARLES GIBSON: As we were
about why she needed more money each
you're done. And that helps kids learn to
watching that, you had a good way to
month.
listen.
explain what's involved.
STEVE AVESON: How did you
9th STUDENT: The bad is that people
STEVE AVESON: This middle
respond?
will have to adjust to the change.
school teacher had a great idea. She said,
CHARLES GIBSON: Well, you know
10th STUDENT: The system that we
"Kids want to attack the other person's
how I responded, of course. She got it.
have now, the regular system, is fine.
position, but you don't want to attack the
But..
STEVE AVESON: (voice-over)
person. So fill your quiver with arrows
LISA McREE, Host: Fifty dollars
Students who have gone through the
that are ideas and then shoot the arrows
doesn't go as far as it used to.
program say that it really works at school.
at the position, not at the kid, not at the
CHARLES GIBSON: That's right,
And for 13-year-old Aditya
person. Don't try and undermine them."
Lisa's over there saying, "Fifty dollars
Sankarknarayan, it has also provided
CHARLES GIBSON: All right, you
doesn't go as far as it used to." But she
breakthroughs at home with his family.
have some points, I know, since we've
really did, it was a very logically
ADITYA SANKARKNARAYAN,
made up little graphics, but you have
thought-out argument, well presented,
Former Student: As soon as I heard the
some points of what parents can do to
well documented as to where the money's
word "No," I'd, you know, get a lot of
teach their kids to argue effectively.
going.
anger inside of me and want to run to my
STEVE AVESON: Oh, a lot of
STEVE AVESON: Chances are she
room and, you know, slam the door. Now
parents want to learn how to do this.
learned that from you when she was
I hardly ever do that. I learned to present
You can teach your kid how to argue at
younger.
my arguments much better than I used to,
home. Practice makes perfect. First thing
CHARLES GIBSON: Well, I don't
and I also learned to keep myself much
you want to do is avoid distractions.
know, it was a good letter, though, it was
more under control.
Turn off the television, turn off the radio,
a good letter. It worked. Thanks very
SANKAR SEETHARAMA, Aditya's
turn off the CD player, don't have
much, Steve Aveson.
Father: Kind of detected that there's a
conversations with other kids.
25. Morning Edition (NPR)
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
33
04/27/98Section: Business; Domestic;
School-to-Work Programs
A new study by the National Employer Leadership Council found significant
benefits for companies and the high school and college students they hired.
Many companies say one unexpected benefit they reaped from the programs
was the financial rewards.
By Elaine Korry
DESK, JUNIOR, SONOMA STATE
corporate citizen, but it soon realized it
San
Francisco;
Alex
Chadwick,
UNIVERSITY: HQ91PO1.
could profit.
Washington, DC
UNIDENTIFIED AUTO DESK
BOB PERLMAN, PRESIDENT,
ALEX CHADWICK, HOST: Increasing
EMPLOYEE: Right.
AUTO DESK FOUNDATION: We
numbers of companies are getting
GOLDMAN: Oh, that's, that's the
found that students working in many,
involved in school-to-work programs.
server you're trying to connect to.
many our departments started to do
Employers bring high school or college
KORRY: Dan Goldman has been a
extraordinary work. And it was a like a
students into the workplace to teach them
technical assistant at the internal help
little secret going around the company
how academic learning applies in a real
desk at Auto Desk for about five years.
that you can get great work out of interns.
job.
This is where employees call when they
KORRY: So good, in fact, that some
Most firms with these programs say
have a question about their own
interns began filling in for engineers
they do not expect to really make money
computer equipment. Goldman is one of
earning $25 an hour. The interns were
at them, these are training opportunities.
about 150 high school students who have
making about $7. After figuring the cost
A recent study, however, shows that
interned at Auto Desk since 1994.
of tools, administration and supervision,
investment in school-to-work programs
Getting the chance to actually apply his
Auto Desk calculated its overall return on
can bring impressive returns.
textbook learning on the job has turned
the program to be $2.37 for every dollar
NPR's Elaine Korry reports from San
Goldman around.
spent. And its good results were
Francisco.
GOLDMAN: When I was in high
duplicated at other companies in the
ELAINE KORRY, NPR REPORTER:
school, before I started the internship
study - McDonalds, Charles Schwab,
Most companies that invest in student
program, I hated school. I did it because
and Eastman Kodak, among others.
intern or apprentice programs are
I had to. I was a average student, Cs. I
But, the positive return was not
motivated by community spirit, as well as
didn't get a good grade. And then after
universal. There is the case of Bell South
a legislative mandate to become more
the internship program into my final
in Atlanta.
involved in education. Well, the good
years of high school, onward to college, I
Pat Stone with the Employer
news for these firms is that their efforts
just started to take initial. I learned. I
Leadership Council:
are paying off in economic terms.
really stuck in see where I could apply
STONE: I think that Bell South is the
The National Employer Leadership
things and really question things. My
exception, but critical to the study.
Council recently asked a number of
grades soared.
KORRY: Bell South illustrates some
companies to measure their return on
KORRY: Before coming to Auto
of the pitfalls in designing a
investment in student programs. Former
Desk, Goldman wasn't even thinking
school-to-work program.
The
council director Pat Stone (ph) could not
about college. Now he's a junior at
telecommunications giant knew it would
believe the results.
Sonoma State University, close to
have to hire 25,000 new employees by
PAT STONE, FORMER DIRECTOR,
making honor roll. At the same time he's
the year 2010. As a recruitment
NATIONAL
EMPLOYER
acquired job skills that help alleviate the
experiment, the company set up an
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: We were just
big worries many young people have
apprentice program with high school and
blown away. Of the eight companies,
about their futures.
community college students. But Bell
there was a range from 39 cents return on
GOLDMAN: You're stressing -
South finally had to end the program,
every dollar invested to over $5 return on
what am I gonna do for the rest of my
when its cost-to-benefit ratio got too
every dollar invested. We were very
life? And I don't really feel like I have to
high.
surprised.
worry about that. I can go here. I have
Company spokesperson Lee Doyle
KORRY:
The participating
tools. I'm marketable. I could go
(ph) says Bell South learned some
companies spanned a broad range of
somewhere else if I wanted to.
important lessons- - first of all, that high
industries, from fast food and discount
KORRY: The benefits to student
schoolers are not well suited for the
brokers to Auto Desk (ph), the software
interns are fairly obvious, but for a long
work.
company north of San Francisco that
time, Auto Desk wasn't sure what the
LEE DOYLE, SPOKESPERSON,
makes AutoCad (ph).
company was getting out of it.
BELL SOUTH: The entry-level skill
SOUNDBITE OF A CROWD IN
Bob Perlman (ph) is the president of
requirements are not found in high school
OFFICE
the Auto Desk Foundation, which
students. They don't have enough work
DAN
GOLDMAN
(PH),
manages the intern program. He says the
experience and they don't have enough
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT, AUTO
company started out wanting to be a good
education by and large.
KORRY: So, the company learned it
for apprentices, but Bell South also had
from the program. That's because the
was better to target community colleges
trouble hiring them after they graduated
company could not forecast precisely
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
34
where it would need new hires.
was too costly to maintain, Bell South
that sets up a school-to-work program.
Again, Lee Doyle:
does not consider it a failure. The
But, the success of most companies
DOYLE: Because these are
company may try a different approach in
should encourage other employers to at
entry-level jobs, people who are in the
the future.
least try.
program in Key West are not gonna move
According to the National Employer
Elaine Korry, NPR News, San
to Orlando for the job opportunity.
Leadership Council, no one can
Francisco.
KORRY: Even though the program
guarantee great results to every company
26. The Wall Street Journal
04/28/98
GOP Angers White House by Loading Spending
Measure With Amendments
By David Rogers
written to Mr. Lott in recent days asking
agriculture bill if the food-stamp funding
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
for a floor vote on the package, he has
wasn't included.
WASHINGTON - From federal crop
clearly sided with a handful of
But the White House can't so easily
insurance to bank rates on student loans,
conservatives who oppose any food
reject the emergency spending measure
Republican leaders are loading up an
stamps for immigrants.
which includes disaster aid for states and
emergency spending bill with last-minute
"I would like to get crop insurance and
funds to replenish Pentagon accounts
amendments that the White House
ag research done, and not food stamps,"
strained by the costs of overseas missions
opposes.
Mr. Lott said yesterday in a hallway
in the Balkans and Mideast.
The initiatives come even as a
interview. "There should never have been
Mindful of this, the House Republican
HouseSenate conference is slated to
a coalition between the aggies and food
leadership wants to add its own
begin talks this afternoon on the bill's
stamps."
single-shot amendment to make future
final shape. The tactics have infuriated
Last evening, Mr. Lott won the
interest rates on federal student loans
the administration, especially since the
reluctant support of Sen. Thad Cochran, a
more attractive to commercial lenders.
same GOP leaders insisted just last week
fellow Mississippian who chairs the
Rates are slated to drop July 1 under a
on streamlining the measure by dropping
Appropriations Committee's agriculture
formula adopted five years ago, and
an $18 billion request for the
panel and has been part of the same
Republicans fear that as commercial
International Monetary Fund.
coalition. "We will have to try to do it
lenders withdraw, the market will become
The crop-insurance amendment,
later," Mr. Cochran said of the
dominated by a direct-loan program
promoted by Senate Majority Leader
food-stamp portion.
begun by the administration.
Trent Lott (R., Miss.), threatens to
The nutrition benefits were first cut
House Education Committee
fracture a coalition of farm and
under the welfare-reform bill adopted two
Chairman William Goodling (R., Pa.), a
antipoverty groups that have banded
years ago, and the administration has
fierce critic of the direct-loan program,
together to fund both crop insurance and
been working to bring about 250,000
has pushed for the amendment with the
a partial restoration of food-stamp
immigrants back onto the rolls. The target
blessing of Majority Leader Richard
benefits to the most vulnerable legal
population includes the elderly and
Armey (R., Texas). The precise language
immigrants.
disabled, children and refugees. Leading
would be drawn from a bill adopted in
The two sides have agreed to use an
Catholic clergy, including Cardinal John
March by Mr. Goodling's committee with
estimated $1.7 billion in administrative
O'Connor, archbishop of New York, have
bipartisan support. But the White House
savings from the food-stamp program to
pressed that state's delegation to move on
says the plan concedes too much to the
address both their needs. The same
the bill.
banking industry and will exhaust over
compromise also included substantial
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman,
$1 billion in savings needed to fund other
new funds sought by land-grant colleges
who telephoned senators yesterday, has
programs.
for agricultural research.
warned he would recommend that
Although more than 70 senators have
President Clinton veto the initial
27. Associated Press
04-28 3:52a
Vice president wants more Internet access for schools
WASHINGTON (AP) - Concerned
The vice president today was
who spoke Monday on condition of
that too many students may miss out on
announcing a strategy for setting up the
anonymity.
the revolution in information technology,
Internet in every school in the nation's 50
The goal is to get those schools wired
Vice President Al Gore is proposing a
largest school districts and 185 schools
by this time next year, the officials said.
plan for getting Internet access into more
run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Efforts to connect Indian schools, which
urban and American Indian schools.
according to two administration officials
serve 53,000 children, are to begin May
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35
16, when volunteers will establish
and private schools and libraries, the
through a special "Ask An Expert"
Internet connections in 28 schools, the
officials said.
service.
officials said.
The proposal also calls for a
The vice president, considered a
Gore was announcing the initiative
Commerce Department analysis of trends
leading contender for the Democratic
today at an event with Education
in Internet usage, to determine whether
presidential nomination in 2000, also
Secretary Richard Riley and Federal
there is a racial divide "between
planned to praise union workers who
Communications Commission chairman
informational haves and have-nots," one
have devoted their weekends and other
William Kennard,
official said.
free time to setting up Internet
Under Gore's plan, Internet access
And, it seeks to establish guidelines
connections in 700 of the nation's poorest
would be provided through a special
through the Department of Education to
schools.
"education rate" initiative that offers
set up on-line mentoring, through which
steep discounts for the service to public
students can get access to information
28. Wisconsin State Journal
04/25/98; Edition: All; Section: Local/Wisconsin; Page 1B
Milestone
By Pat Simms
Presidential Scholar.
High School and Joshua Passman of
Sarah Berman, 18-year-old daughter
Berman, a senior at Madison West
University School in Milwaukee - will
of Madison attorney Niles and tutor
High School, and two others from
be honored by the White House in
Linda Berman, has been picked as a 1998
Wisconsin - Troy Swift of Platteville
June.
29. The Kansas City Star
04/25/98; Edition: METROPOLITAN; Section: METROPOLITAN; Page C1
One of a select few
By MIKE KENNEDY; LYNN
"I was really shocked and flattered,"
15 at large; and 20 scholars in the arts.
HORSLEY; STA
said Holmes, of Shawnee. "I just always
Jacob M. Montgomery, a senior at
Lauren Holmes refuses to spend all
push myself to do the best I can."
Lawrence High School, and Jacqueline
her time studying. The Shawnee Mission
Students are selected on the basis of
K. Tran, a senior at Warrensburg (Mo.)
Northwest High School senior serves on
academic achievement (including SAT or
High School, also were honored.
the cheerleading squad, swims, plays
ACT scores), essays, leadership,
The scholars will visit Washington
piano, visits nursing homes and watches
character and commitment to high ideals.
from June 13 to 18 to receive their
Thursday night television in addition to
Scholars include one young man and one
Presidential Scholar medallions.
her studies. On Friday, she learned she
young woman from each state, the
- Stacy Downs
was one of 141 Presidential Scholars in
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico;
the United States for 1998.
others from U.S. families living abroad;
30. The Capital Times
04/25/98; Edition: All; Section: Local/State; Page 3A
WEST HIGH SENIOR IS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
Madison West High School senior
award. The scholars are selected by a
their achievements in academics or the
Sarah M. Berman is one of 141 high
32-member commission from among 2.5
arts, will visit Washington in June and
school students from across the country
million graduating high school seniors.
receive Presidential Scholar medallions at
named Friday as 1998 Presidential
President Clinton and U.S. Secretary
a White House-sponsored ceremony.
Scholars.
of Education Richard Riley announced
Each scholar will be asked to name a
Other Wisconsin winners of the
the winners Friday in Washington, D.C.
teacher who has had the greatest impact
prestigious award are Joshua L. Passman
"These 141 students have
on his or her academic or artistic
of Shorewood, a senior at University
demonstrated a commitment to education
accomplishments, and that teacher will
School of Milwaukee, and Troy P. Swift
and a dedication to excellence," Riley
also be honored with a certificate of
of Platteville, a senior at Platteville High
said. "Their accomplishments in
excellence during the ceremony.
School.
scholarship, leadership, community
The 141 Presidential Scholars include
Berman, the daughter of Niles and
service and the arts serve asa model for
a boy and girl from each state, the
Linda Berman, was one of seven
all."
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and
Madison students in the running for the
The scholars, who are selected for
from U.S. families living abroad, as well
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36
as 15 at-large recipients and 20 scholars
in the arts.
31. The Seattle Times
04/25/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: LOCAL NEWS; Page All
BAINBRIDGE, SNOHOMISH STUDENTS NAMED
SCHOLARS
By NANTLE TIMES SNOHOMISH
decide whether to attend Yale or Harvard
she said, "is actually really proud of me"
COUNTY BUREAU
next fall, said Larry Aalbu, Snohomish
- plans to attend either Stanford
A Bainbridge Island girl and a
High principal. Ewing is active in debate
University or Williams College, a small
Snohomish boy have been chosen from
and scored a perfect 1,600 on his SATs.
liberal-arts school in Massachusetts.
among the nation's 2.5 million graduating
Baker has a 4.0 grade-point average
Presidential Scholars are recognized
high-school seniors to be 1998
despite her rigorous course schedule, said
for achievements in academics or the arts.
Presidential Scholars.
her principal, Dave Ellick, and she is the
Each year, 141 are selected (two from
Katie M. Baker of Bainbridge Island
director of the student production of
each state, the District of Columbia,
High School and Benjamin M. Ewing of
"Fiddler on the Roof."
Puerto Rico and U.S. families living
Snohomish High are the two Presidential
"I couldn't think of someone better to
abroad, plus 15 at large and 20 arts
Scholars in Washington state, the U.S.
get (the award)," Ellick said. "She's just
scholars) by a commission of private
Department of Education announced
the kind of kid that everything she
citizens. They are chosen from thousands
yesterday.
touches, through hard work and
who've already been selected as "state
Ewing was visiting Connecticut when
exceptional ingenuity, turns to gold."
scholars.
the announcement was made, trying to
Baker who has a twin brother who,
32. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
04/25/98; Edition: REGION; Section: LOCAL; Page A-10
UPPER ST. CLAIR STUDENT NAMED
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
CARMEN J. LEE
a select group of high school seniors
violin with the state high school
POST-GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
chosen as presidential scholars.
orchestra.
Kelly Doran was busy as usual when
In fact, the Upper St. Clair teen wasn't
news came yesterday that she was among
even in town. She was in Erie playing
U.S. Secretary of Education Richard
students work with teen-age girls who
brilliant, she's also an athlete and a
W. Riley appeared to have Kelly in mind
have been sexually and physically
musician and she's very kind to everyone.
when he said of this year's scholars that
abused. She was recently named a
She thinks beyond herself. She's a very
"their accomplishments in scholarship,
Post-Gazette All-Star Achiever.
remarkable human being."
leadership, community service and the
"Kelly is really one of the most
A 32-member commission appointed
arts serve as a model for all."
organized, conscientious and committed
by President Clinton selected 141
A class valedictorian, Kelly, 17,
young women I've worked with in a long,
scholars from among 2.5 million
scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT. She is
long time," said Paula Huffiman,
graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen
yearbook editor, majorettes captain,
coordinator of volunteers for the institute.
annually based on academic achievement
co-concert mistress in the school
"I can depend on her. She's a great leader.
- including SAT or ACT scores and
orchestra and a lacrosse player.
Seventy to 75 of the students this year got
transcripts - leadership and character.
Last summer, she attended the
involved in volunteering at the institute
The students will visit Washington,
Pennsylvania Governor's School for
because of her leadership."
D.C., June 13-18. They will be honored
Health Care, where she proposed a
Kelly's high school counselor, Marian
at a White House-sponsored ceremony.
fund-raising concert that generated more
Orr, added that the impressive young
Each will receive a presidential scholar
than $1,000 to increase awareness of
woman handled her accomplishments
medallion.
breast cancer.
with modesty.
Kelly has been accepted to every
Kelly also is co-president of Interact,
"IfI put her in a lineup with five other
college she applied, a list including
an Upper St. Clair High School volunteer
women you'd never know who she was
Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford and
group. For nearly three years, she's
because she never talks about what she
Brown universities and she probably will
volunteered at The Wesley Institute, an
has achieved. She's a very humble, very
attend Harvard.
agency in Upper St. Clair that provides
wonderful woman," Orr said. "I was the
services for at-risk youth from across the
one who called her my Renaissance
region. Kelly and other Upper St. Clair
woman. She not only is academically
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37
33. The Washington Post
04/25/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: Metro; Page B03
Students Named Presidential Scholars
Eight Washington area high school
Susanna M. Flug, of National Cathedral
McDonough School.
seniors are among this year's 141
School; Dorothy A. Fortenberry, of
From Northern Virginia: Rahul
presidential scholars.
Sidwell Friends School; and Alan S.
Dasgupta, McLean, Langley High
Winners of the award are recognized
Morse, of St. Albans School.
School; and Jason Munyan, Alexandria,
for their achievements in academics or
From the Maryland suburbs: Kirk B.
Thomas Jefferson High School for
the arts and are chosen by a panel
Doran, Potomac, Walt Whitman High
Science and Technology.
appointed by the president. Selection is
School: Shoshana L. Frankel, Silver
The scholars will be honored at a
based on SAT scores, grades and essays.
Spring, Yeshiva of Greater Washington;
White House ceremony at which each
From the District, the scholars are
and Daniel L. Wagner, Clarksville,
will receive a medallion.
34. Associated Press
04-25 0:33a
Two Alaskans named Presidential Scholars
ANCHORAGE (AP) - Two local high
Sarah Marriage of East were named
Scholars also are selected from the
schoolers have won honors as
Friday in an announcement from the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and
Presidential Scholars, joining a group of
federal Department of Education.
from among U.S. families living
141 students who will be honored in a
Scholars are recognized for their
abroad.
White House-sponsored ceremony in
achievements in academics or the arts.
June.
The group includes two scholars, one
William Falsey of Dimond High and
male and one female, from each state.
35. Associated Press
04-24 11:04p
Montanans among 141 high school seniors chosen as
1998 Presidential Scholars
HELENA (AP) - Two Montanans are
County High in Dillon were recognized
House-sponsored ceremony.
among 141 high school seniors chosen as
Wednesday for their achievements in
The selections are made from among
1998 Presidential Scholars.
academics or the arts.
2.5 million graduating high school
Zachary Pincus of Bozeman Senior
They will visit Washington June 13-18
seniors.
High and Whitney Ward of Beaverhead
and be honored at a White
36. Associated Press
04-24 7:05p
Two Nevada high school seniors among 141 1998
Presidential Scholars
RENO, Nev. (AP) Two Nevada high
and David K. Wong, who attends Edward
said in a written statement. "While there
school seniors are among 141 selected as
W. Clark High School in Las Vegas.
is no substitute for hard work and high
1998 Presidential Scholars.
Recipients were announced Friday by
academic standards, the creativity, energy
The presidential scholars are
U.S. Education Secretary Richard W.
and discipline these young people bring
recognized for their achievements in
Riley.
to their work make their
academics or the arts.
"These 141 students have
accomplishments all the more
The Nevada recipients are Marissa M.
demonstrated a commitment to education
exemplary."
McClish, a senior at Reno High School,
and a dedication to excellence," Riley
The scholars include one young man
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
38
and one young woman from each state,
House-sponsored ceremony in June.
commission from students who
Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and from
Scholars are chosen from among high
participate in the Arts Recognition and
U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15
school seniors nationwide by a
Talent Search, which is conducted by the
at large recipients and 20 scholars in the
32-member commission appointed by the
national Foundation for Advancement in
arts.
president.
the Arts.
They will be honored at a White
Arts scholars are selected by a
37. Associated Press
04-24 6:47p
Grand Forks, Fargo students 1998 Presidential Scholars
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Students
Grand Forks; and Nidhi R. Kalra, a
achievements in academics or the arts.
from Grand Forks and Fargo have been
senior at Fargo South High School.
In June they will visit Washington,
selected as 1998 Presidential Scholars.
They are among the 141 high school
where they will be honored at a ceremony
Selected were Todd A. Johnson, a
seniors selected nationally.
and receive a Presidential Scholar
senior of at Red River High School in
The students are selected for their
medallion.
38. Associated Press
04-24 5:58p
Wyoming high school seniors named 1998 Presidential
Scholars
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Two
from across the country to be recognized
honored in a ceremony.
Wyoming high school seniors have been
for their achievements in academics or
The seniors chosen for the award are
named 1998 Presidential Scholars.
the arts with the award.
selected from among 2.5 million
Rebekah Billings of Casper-Natrona
The students will join other
graduating high school seniors.
High School and Dennis Hungerford of
Presidential Scholars in June at a meeting
Rock Springs were among 141 seniors
in Washington, when they will be
39. Associated Press
04-24 5:57p
Virginia high school students are among this year's 141
Presidential Scholars
WASHINGTON
(AP)
-
Three
ceremony at which each will receive a
Alexandria, a senior at Thomas Jefferson
Virginia high school students are among
medallion.
High School for Science and Technology.
this year's 141 Presidential Scholars.
The Virginians are Rahul Dasgupta of
The 141 winners are selected from
The scholars are recognized for their
McLean, a senior at Langley High
among 2.5 million graduating high
achievements in academics or the arts.
School; L. Katrina Glanzer of Dayton, a
school seniors.
They'll visit Washington, D.C., from June
senior at Eastern Mennonite High School
13 to June 18 and will be honored at a
in Harrisonburg; and Jason Munyan of
40. Associated Press
04-24 3:23p
Students from Jackson and Hattiesburg named
Presidential Scholars
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Seniors from
high school students nationwide who
Scholars.
Jackson and Hattiesburg are among 141
have been named 1998 Presidential
Christine Varnado of Hattiesburg
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
39
High School and Mark Rawls of Jackson
SAT and ACT scores, essays, transcripts,
said
in
a
statement.
"Their
Preparatory School received the honor
leadership and character.
accomplishments
in
scholarship,
Friday. They were chosen to represent
"These 141 students have
leadership, community service and the
Mississippi by a 32-member commission
demonstrated a commitment to education
arts serve as a model for all.
appointed by the president.
and a dedication to excellence," U.S.
Scholars were selected based on their
Secretary of Education Richard Riley
41. Associated Press
04-24 2:37p
Columbia, Chapin high schoolers named Presidential
Scholars
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - High
School and Kimberlin E. Westin of
The pair are among 141 high school
School seniors from Columbia and
Chapin High School will be honored at a
seniors nationwide recognized for
suburban Chapin have been named South
White House-sponsored ceremony in
achievements in academics or the arts.
Carolina's two 1998 Presidential
mid-June and receive a Presidential
The scholars are selected by a 32-member
Scholars.
Scholar medallion, the federal Education
commission appointed by the president.
Adams E. Rackes of Dreher High
Department said Friday.
42. Associated Press
04-24 2:03p
Three Oklahoma students named presidential scholars
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Three
City, and Ponca City High School senior
appointed by the president and is
Oklahoma high school students were
Matthew J. Szabo will get to visit
comprised of eminent private citizens.
among the 141 teen-agers named by
Washington in June.
The 1998 scholars were selected on
President Clinton and Education
The trio will be honored at a White
the basis of broad academic achievement,
Secretary Richard Riley Friday as 1998
House-sponsored ceremony and each will
including SAT or ACT scores, essays,
Presidential Scholars.
receive a medallion.
transcripts, leadership, character and
Norman High School senior Emily K.
A 32-member commission on
commitment to high ideals.
Drennan; Karen E. Robinson, a Shawnee
Presidential Scholars selects the scholars
senior attending the Oklahoma School of
from among 2.5 million graduating high
Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma
school seniors. The commission is
43. U.S. News & World Report
04/27/98Section: Culture & Ideas; Page 40-41
Sugar daddies for charters
Buying a revolution
By Thomas Toch
charter public schools, and one of nearly
Project.)
Foundations created by wealthy,
two dozen new companies drawn to the
A. Alfred Taubman. A shopping-mall
industrial-era families like the Fords and
business of public education by the
developer and chairman of Sotheby's, the
the Carnegies have been the traditional
chance to compete for students. "Edison
New York auction house, Taubman, 73,
benefactors of public school reform. But
has a good {education} model and we
is using his vast wealth-pegged at $680
today's market-driven experiments are
want to give Bay-area schools a chance to
million-to launch the Leona Group, a
drawing a new generation of
use it," says Donald Fisher, 69, himself a
Michigan-based, for-profit operator of
underwriters. They include:
product of San Francisco's public
charter schools. Leona already has won
Donald and Doris Fisher. The
schools. Bringing in an outside firm like
contracts to run 16 charters in Michigan
billionaire founders of the Gap Inc. have
Edison, Fisher says, gives public school
and Arizona by helping charter-school
pledged $25 million through a new
systems a catalyst for reform "without
founders secure start-up loans backed by
foundation to help the San Francisco area
getting caught up in the voucher debate."
Taubman's millions. The company
public schools hire the Edison Project, a
(The Fishers' son John independently
expects to have three dozen charter
for-profit operator of both traditional and
owns about 4 percent of the Edison
schools open by September and hopes to
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
40
expand nationally.
founded his own for-profit charter school
stressing traditional values (each school
company-National
Heritage
has a "moral focus" committee).
J. C. Huizenga. This wealthy
Academies-which runs eight charter
Huizenga, cousin of entrepreneur Wayne
manufacturer and evangelical Christian
schools in the Grand Rapids, Mich., area
Huizenga, also plans to expand.
The Walton family. The heirs of
and private schools. The family
contributed $3 million to help District of
Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton are using
foundation has donated $350,000 over
Columbia students attend private schools,
part of their $28 billion fortune to
the past two years to a national group that
one of three dozen such efforts begun
encourage the shift of students from
helps launch charter schools, for
nationally in the 1990s.
traditional public schools to both charters
example, and John Walton, 51, has
TRADE
44. LRP Publications
April 24, 1998
Senate Passes Coverdell Education Savings Account Bill
Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., last night
level, or to continue receiving funding
shadow on the Coverdell victory.
won Senate approval for his bipartisan
from Washington; ban national tests in
In an April 20 letter to Senate majority
measure that will allow parents to
reading and math unless approved by
and minority leaders, the president wrote
establish tax-free accounts to pay for
Congress; authorize a literacy program
that he found fault with the Coverdell bill
K-12 private, parochial or home
which focuses on training teachers to
because it provided for the use of
schooling expenses.
teach reading in scientifically proven
"needed" federal resources toward
The Parent and Student Savings
methods, such as phonics; and provide
non-public schools.
Account PLUS Act, which was
incentives for states to implement
Education Secretary Richard Riley
co-sponsored by Sens. Robert Torricelli,
teacher testing and merit pay programs.
echoed the president's concern.
D-N.J., and Joseph Lieberman D-Conn.,
"Today's vote represents both a great
"Does anybody really believe that this
passed the Senate floor by a vote of
victory for our Nation's schools and a
is a serious effort to improve education
56-43.
giant step forward in the journey toward
in America?," Riley asked. "Let's get real.
The education savings accounts will
genuine education reform," Coverdell
This bill sells America's future short and
allow parents to place as much as $2,000
remarked immediately following the vote.
it is unacceptable to the president and to
per year, per child, in a designated
"We are on the verge of providing
me."
savings account. These after-tax, private
desperately needed education assistance
Coverdell, meanwhile, beseeched
citizen dollars would earn interest at a
to millions of American families."
Clinton to give his bill due
tax-free rate and be could be used for
A Conference Committee will now be
consideration.
education expenses associated with any
appointed to reconcile the Senate bill
"The Senate has now passed a
K-12 school such as computers,
with the version of the measure passed by
bipartisan education reform bill, a bill
transportation, tutoring, and tuition.
the House last year. If differences
that would improve the educational
Other provisions of the bill, including
between the two bills are worked out, a
opportunities available to children across
those added by way of amendments,
conference report will be generated,
our Nation," said Coverdell. "I urge the
would make $3 billion available in
upon which both chambers will have to
president to review the legislation in its
school construction bonds over 5 years;
vote prior to its being sent to the
final form before making any decisions
allow states to choose whether to receive
president.
about the substance of our proposal."
$10 billion in federal education funds as
President Clinton, however, has
a block grant at the state level, local
promised to veto the bill, which casts a
45. Education Week
April 29, 1998
Black Students Found Less Likely To Access The
Internet
By Mary Ann Zehr
Mr. Pearce, the director of a program
and relevance of technology to their
A study released this month showing
run by the Washington-based Time
lives.
that black students are much less likely
Dollar Institute that puts used computers
"In the African-American community,
than whites to own a home computer or
in the hands of children attending
a lot of times they think that the
have access to the Internet came as no
Chicago public schools, says some blacks
technology is coming, and they don't
surprise to people like Calvin Pearce.
still don't see the potential importance
understand that it's already here," Mr.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
41
Pearce said last week. "They have a false
time that the kids spend on the computer
sense in thinking that just the amount of
at school is enough."
The study by Vanderbilt University
home.
technology programs and policy for the
management professors Donna L.
"In poor communities, technologies
National Urban League, said he believes
Hoffman and Thomas P. Novak,
like the Internet and high technology are
the study doesn't reflect the extent to
published April 17 in Science magazine,
sort of looked at as an alien world, and
which blacks may be catching up with
shows that 73 percent of white high
that is more intense in the
whites in getting on-line. "White males
school and college students own a home
African-American communities," said
have been the early adopters," he said.
computer, compared with only 32 percent
Peter B. Miller, the network director for
"African-Americans are getting on-line
of black students. The gap persisted even
the Newton, Mass.-based Community
and are going to continue to get on-line."
when household income was taken into
Technology Centers' Network. His
Fewer Resources
account.
organization supports community centers
Some observers said black students
The finding is based on a survey of
that provide computer and Internet access
who lack home computers are less likely
336 white students and 64 black students
to low-income communities.
to seek out access to the Web because
in December 1996 and January 1997 as
"What you put in your home to
they have fewer places to find it. Mr.
part of a CommerceNet/Nielsen Internet
construct your information environment
Pearce said that in the middle-class black
demographic study.
is a cultural choice. Many
community where he lives -Chicago's
'A Cultural Choice'
African-Americans thought the Internet
Washington Heights-h knows of only
"Household income does not explain
was not for them," agreed Mark Lloyd,
two public terminals for Internet access.
race differences in home computer
the director of the Civil Rights Forum
"There are certainly more
ownership," the researchers write. "This
Communications
Project,
a
organizations that have these kinds of
is the most disturbing instance yet of
Washington-based nonprofit group that
programs in even poor white
when race matters in Internet access."
advocates ways of giving poor people
communities than in primarily
The study also showed that white
access to telecommunications services.
African-American communities," added
students without a computer in the home
He clarified, though, that he believes
Mr. Miller of the Community
were more than three times as likely as
it's the information on the Internet, not
Technology Centers' Network.
black students of similar economic status
necessarily the medium itself, that some
Michael Roberts, the director of an
to have used the Internet's World Wide
blacks find irrelevant.
information-technology initiative for the
Web in the previous week.
Few blacks, for the same reason, read
United Neighborhood Houses of New
In other words, white students lacking
The Atlantic Monthly, he said. "The
York, said the quality of the community
a home computer were more likely than
information that's there is not really for
computer centers is as important as the
their black peers to access the Web from
us. That doesn't mean that
quantity.
locations such as homes of friends and
African-Americans and others, once they
"If you go into a place where the
relatives, libraries, and community
see what [the Internet] can do for them,
computers are hand-me-down and the
centers. There was no difference in Web
won't make use of it," Mr. Lloyd added.
software is slow, people will show up
use when students had a computer at
B. Keith Fulton, the director of
once and not again," he said.
46. Education Week
April 29, 1998
GOP Reading Proposal Approved During Debate in
Senate
By Joetta L. Sack
reading amendment, Julie Green, a
July 1 of this year to pass a literacy bill.
Washington
spokeswoman for the Department of
If not, its $210 million appropriation will
The Senate approved a GOP-backed
Education, said last Thursday. ("Bill
be directed to special education instead.
literacy proposal during debate late last
Previews Future Education Policy
Legislative Shift
week on a bill to establish tax-free
Battles," in This Week's News.)
President Clinton made headlines with
education savings accounts.
Joe Karpinski, a spokesman for the
his America Reads plan, which he
The literacy language, which was
Senate Labor and Human Resources
unveiled during his 1996 re-election
offered as an amendment to the bill and
Committee, said the committee planned
campaign and proposed to Congress in
passed by voice vote last Thursday, is
to advance a separate reading bill based
his 1997 State of the Union speech. But
nearly identical to a plan approved by the
on the House language. A committee
his plan -which was built on the
House last November. It would
hearing on literacy issues was scheduled
concept of putting 1 million tutors,
emphasize teacher training instead of
for this week.
11,000 Americorps volunteers, and
volunteer reading tutors, as President
Mr. Karpinski said that, before last
30,000 reading specialists in schools -
Clinton had proposed.
Thursday's vote, the committee's
was dismissed by House Republicans.
But the literacy plan's future remained
chairman, Sen. James M. Jeffords, R-Vt.,
("Effectiveness of Clinton Reading Plan
uncertain last week. Mr. Clinton has
had not planned to write separate reading
Questioned," Feb. 26, 1997).
repeatedly threatened to veto the
legislation but to work with the House
The House plan, sponsored by Rep.
tax-free-savings bill to which it is
version of the plan.
Bill Goodling, the Pennsylvania
attached. That threat remained despite the
Last year's budget gave Congress until
Republican who chairs the Education and
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42
the Workforce Committee, would
states to propose how they would
teachers in order to receive grants. ("GOP
disseminate research from the National
incorporate the research into their
Tutoring Grants Inspire Concerns,
Institute for Literacy and then require
professional-development plans for
Praise," Oct. 22, 1997).
Known as the Reading Excellence
money to hire outside tutors for students
But last year, the Education Department
Act, the measure also includes "tutorial
having trouble learning to read.
said it would support the act if that
assistance grants," which would give
Democrats objected to that language,
provision was removed.
schools in impoverished communities
calling it a thinly veiled voucher plan.
47. Education Week
April 29, 1998
Bill Previews Future Education Policy Battles
By David J. Hoff
help public, private, and home schools,"
passed a related bill with just the savings
Washington
Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., the bill's
incentives last year.
The Senate spent last week debating
sponsor, said of the savings accounts he
But after that, a presidential veto is
an education bill almost certainly
believes would inspire $10 billion in
almost certain, and supporters are
doomed to go nowhere this year.
education spending over the next 10
unlikely to come up with the two-thirds
But the lawmakers' efforts were not in
years.
majorities needed in both the House and
vain. For as they toiled, senators gave a
"It is wrong to have a one-size-fits-all
Senate to override it.
preview of how a future Congress might
approach on the federal level," Sen. Tim
Glimpse of the Future?
overhaul the federal government's means
Hutchinson, R-Ark., said in response to a
Last week's debate offered several
of supporting public and private K-12
failed Democratic amendment on Mr.
insights into future federal education
schools.
Clinton's proposal to subsidize the
policy debates.
The bill in question would offer tax
salaries of 100,000 new teachers. "We
It revealed that Senate Republicans
incentives for saving for K-12 expenses
may need more teachers in some states,
hold a slight majority of votes for their
and create a new federal block grant for
but we may not need them in others."
plan to blend all federal K-12 programs,
states. It includes support for none of
Tax-Free Accounts
other than special education, into a block
President Clinton's current education
Last week began with the Senate
grant that would give states and local
proposals, including his plans to help
debating Mr. Coverdell's plan to allow
districts wide discretion over how to
districts hire 100,000 new teachers and to
parents to open savings accounts in
spend federal dollars.
offer federal assistance in financing
which interest and capital gains would
Block grant supporters won the 50
school construction.
accumulate free of federal taxes, so long
votes they needed to include their plan in
Not surprisingly, the chief executive
as parents used the money to pay
the bill.
has already declared that he will veto the
educational expenses. That would include
But they didn't gain the support of
bill. But while last week's extended
private school tuition, as well as tutoring
Sen. James M. Jeffords, R-Vt., the
debate may not transform the bill into law
or supplies needed by public school
chairman of the Labor and Human
this year, it succeeded in showing how
students.
Resources Committee, which deals with
much proponents of those ideas can win
President Clinton disagreed with the
education, or Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.,
in the legislative process and how far
private school language so vehemently
the chairman of the subcommittee that
opponents will go to stop them.
that he promised to veto the
handles education appropriations.
Democrats, having lost on every
tax-incentives bill even if it included his
They also have left themselves open to
substantive education issue they raised
plan to underwrite $22 billion in school
rhetorical attack that Republicans want to
during the nearly weeklong debate,
construction.
"abolish the Department of Education
resorted to heated campaign-style
"It won't do anything to strengthen our
for elementary and secondary education,"
rhetoric, blaming the Republicans for a
schools, and, in fact, would weaken
as Sen. Daschle told reporters.
"far right" and "extremist" agenda to
public education by siphoning limited
But Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., the
dismantle federal education policy.
federal resources away from public
block grant amendment's sponsor,
"What this means is the death of
schools," Mr. Clinton said April 21.
believes his "triple option" adequately
public education in this country," Senate
As the week wore on, the Senate
addresses that concern. It would give
Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.,
tacked on block grant language, a ban on
states the chance to continue receiving
charged at a meeting with reporters last
proposed new national tests, and several
federal dollars for specific programs,
Thursday before the bill passed.
other amendments. It also rejected
such as Title I or drug-free schools; to
Republicans, on the other hand,
Democratic attempts to replace the entire
accept federal money in one chunk
argued that they simply wanted to
bill with legislation for the president's
without earmarking for specific education
transfer power from a federal bureaucracy
proposals for school construction and
initiatives; or to give Education
to parents who want to save for their
hiring 100,000 new teachers.
Department funds directly to districts in
children's education and to school
("Amending the Bill on Tax-Free Savings
block grants.
officials who want to cut through red
Accounts.")
"I am not sure why anyone should
tape.
The bill eventually passed the Senate
oppose that triple option allowing a
"By this simple, small incentive, we
on a 56-43 vote late Thursday.
different way of doing things," Mr.
are causing American families to come
The Senate now must reach a
Gorton said last week. "Only if we
forward with billions of new dollars to
compromise with the House, which
regarded the present education system as
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
43
perfect should we reject an experiment of
Last week also highlighted growing
legislation.
this sort."
support for federal school choice
In the early 1990s, voucher
critics.
the White House who was for vouchers,
proponents couldn't get a majority in the
Now, by shifting the debate toward tax
they'd have a national program," said
Democratic-controlled Congress. Once
incentives instead of cash payments,
John F. Jennings, a former education aide
Republicans won a majority in the House
choice proponents are likely to send a bill
to House Democrats who is now the
and Senate in 1994, they could muster
to their liking to the White House. Even
director of the Center on Education
the votes to pass voucher bills in both
with a certain veto, such an outcome
Policy, a Washington nonprofit seeking
chambers, but could not overcome Senate
would give advocates of school choice a
public support for schools.
rules requiring 60 votes to overcome
moral victory.
procedural roadblocks raised by voucher
"If [the Republicans] had somebody in
48. Chronicle of Higher Education -- Academe Today
April 28, 1998
Welfare-Law Changes Lead 2-Year Colleges to Alter
Ways They Serve Needy Students
By PETER SCHMIDT
wealth, she said. Meanwhile, certain
programs," said Thelma Scott-Skillman,
MIAMI BEACH
industries, such as information
the vice-chancellor for student services
Changes in state and federal welfare
technology and shipbuilding, complain
for California's community-college
laws are forcing community colleges to
that they cannot find people with the
system.
rethink how they serve students who are
skills needed to fill many high-paying
Her system, which has always had to
on public assistance, and some who have
positions.
be "all things to all people," now must be
already gotten off of it.
At the same time, the threat of being
"all things to all people all the time,"
With state and local officials under
cut off from welfare has been driving
providing intensive, short-term courses
pressure to trim welfare rolls, recipients
many people who lack basic skills, and
night and day, on weekdays and
who are employable have been getting
otherwise might not have chosen to
weekends, she said.
pushed out of college and into jobs,
continue their educations, into
When California's community colleges
according to many of the educators
community-college classrooms.
set up those new courses for welfare
gathered here for the American
At a forum held here, Catherine
recipients, they often find that many
Association of Community Colleges'
Cornelius, president of South Florida
students who do not receive welfare are
annual convention.
Community College, asserted that such
also attending the classes, prompting the
Often, those welfare recipients have
welfare recipients are now "much more
colleges' leaders to wonder whether they
ended up taking low-paying jobs, and
motivated" to learn basic skills that will
need to make broader changes in how
many need to return to community
leave them "much better off."
they serve students.
colleges for additional education and
But she and other community-college
Colleges are taking other steps to help
training so they can qualify for
leaders said their institutions were
educate people who lack basic skills. Nan
better-paying careers that will leave them
finding it difficult to prepare those
Poppe, the director of the Maywood Park
and their families financially secure, U.S.
students for employment within the 12
campus of Mt. Hood Community
Deputy Secretary of Labor Kathryn
months that federal law generally allows
College, in Oregon, said her institution
(Kitty) Higgins said here Monday.
people to be involved in
now has drug and alcohol counselors on
Although economically "we are in
vocational-training programs while still
hand, and is seeking ways to better help
better shape than we have been in more
receiving aid for needy families.
students with learning disabilities.
than a generation," many people earn too
To respond to those challenges,
little at their jobs to get a share of the
"colleges are repackaging a lot of their
49. Chronicle of Higher Education -- Academe Today
April 28, 1998
House Leaders Find $1-Billion to Finance Key
Provision of Higher-Education Bill
By STEPHEN BURD
$1-billion needed to pay for a proposal
consider a bill this week that would
WASHINGTON
that would sharply reduce interest rates
renew the Higher Education Act.
Republican Congressional leaders
on student loans. That cleared the way for
said Monday that they had found the
the full House of Representatives to
The proposal, which is aimed at
averting a potential collapse of the
guaranteed-student-loan program, would
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
44
reduce the interest rate OR student loans
leaders of the House Budget Committee
default. The financial burden to the
by 0.8 of a percentage point, but would
to come up with about half of the
government for a student loan grows at
lower the margin that banks now earn on
subsidy's cost.
the point at which it goes into default, so
student loans by only 0.3 of a point. The
On Monday, House Speaker Newt
delaying that date would save the
difference would be made up by creating
Gingrich, a Georgia Republican, agreed,
Treasury money. The House committee's
a new government subsidy for banks.
reportedly ordering the Budget
plan would push back to 270 days from
The Congressional Budget Office has
Committee to find $550-million to help
the current 180 the time that borrowers
reported that such a subsidy would cost
pay for the deal. Details were not
have to make good on their loans.
about $1.1-billion. Consideration of the
available on where the money would
Representative Dale E. Kildee of
bill on the House floor has been delayed
come from.
Michigan, the highest-ranking Democrat
for a week as the Republican leaders of
The House education committee will
on the education committee, has
the House Committee on Education and
provide the other $550-million. The
reportedly agreed to support the
the Workforce, the panel that had
panel believes it can cover most of that
provision.
approved the bill in March, scrambled to
cost by extending the length of time
The bill is now expected to be
find the money to pay for the subsidy.
before the federal government declares a
considered on the House floor on
As part of that effort, they asked
delinquent student-loan borrower to be in
Wednesday
50. CongressDaily/A.M.
04/28/98Section: BANKING;
Supporters Of Student Loan `Fix' Looking For Offsets
Proponents of a bipartisan plan to
lower of two CBO cost estimates that
Clinton opposes this subsidy, claiming
subsidize the interest rate paid to banks
assumes a lower interest rate
banks would still make the no-risk
for guaranteed student loans scrambled
environment. Instead of $3.6 billion
student loans at the lower rate.
Monday to find $1 billion in offsets to
through FY2003, House members are
With the July 1 deadline looming, and
add either to the Higher Education Act
looking for $1 billion. The figure could
college students already making financial
reauthorization or the supplemental
drop to $785 million if attached to the
plans for the fall semester, House and
appropriations bill. Aides said both bills
supplemental bill, which requires offsets
Senate leaders are trying to move the
are still viable legislative vehicles for the
only through FY2002. Both Republicans
HEA bills quickly.
interest rate "fix." The House Rules
and Democrats want to set a new
Aides said the time sensitive nature of
Committee today will mark up the rule
guaranteed student loan interest rate
the issue is why House Majority Leader
for the Higher Education Act, which
because the rate, under current law, is
Armey, backed by banking interests,
should move to the floor Wednesday or
scheduled to drop on July I, 1998, five
proposed to move the "fix" even quicker
Thursday.
years after passage of President Clinton's
via the supplemental.
Meanwhile, appropriators have
direct loan program.
Also, Senate passage of the interest
generally agreed to carry the interest rate
Banks and other student lenders argue
rate provision as part of the Higher
provision on the supplemental if it
the new rate is so low they would stop
Education Act is not a done deal.
contains offsets agreeable to them. The
making student loans. But Republicans
Aides said Senate Labor and Human
House Education and the Workforce
on the House and Senate education
Resources ranking member Edward
Committee is attempting to come up with
committees, knowing politically they
Kennedy, D-Mass., may attempt to
one-half of the offsets, while the House
could not oppose cuts for student loan
eliminate the subsidized rate paid to
Budget Committee works on the other
interest rates, proposed to give students a
banks, while Senate Budget Chairman
half. Aides said they expect to have an
lower rate.
Domenici may raise a budget point of
offset plan ready today because both bills
In order to keep banks in the system,
order if it does not contain offsets or if
are heading toward the floor this week.
they also proposed having the federal
the cost is too high.
House members made their quest for
government pay banks the difference
offsets easier Monday by relying on the
between the higher and lower rates.
51. American Banker
04/28/98Section: Washington; Page 2
House Aye Due Wednesday for Cheaper Student Loans
By Bill McConnell
bill for higher education programs,
House leaders continue to search for
WASHINGTON - The House is
would reduce the rate students pay by 80
budget cuts to pay for the subsidy,
expected to approve legislation
basis points on July 1. The rate
whose cost it put at $1.1 billion over
Wednesday that would cut the rate on
lenders earn would drop only 30 basis
five years. The Senate is expected to
government-guaranteed student loans.
points, however, thanks to a subsidy
vote on a similar plan this week, but the
The measure, included in a spending
from the federal government.
day has not been set.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
45
To increase chances of quick enactment
unprofitable, but say that it is the best
opposes the subsidy, and wants banks to
for the student loan fix.
deal the industry can get.
absorb the full 80 basis point cut. If
congressional leaders have included it in
"The cut will affect lenders' ability to
banks refuse to participate in the
separate legislation to provide
offer full customer service (and)
program, Education Secretary Richard
additional spending for the
invest in computer automation," said a
W. Riley has said, the federal
government's fiscal 1998 budget. The
Consumer Bankers Association
government, Sallie Mae, and state
Senate and
spokesman.
higher education assistance agencies
House are scheduled to vote on that
Also it "could possibly reduce the
should
legislation Thursday.
number of students banks are willing to
provide emergency funds.
Bank trade groups argue that the plan
assist," he said.
could make some student loans
However, the Clinton administration
LOCAL
52. San Francisco Chronicle
April 28. 1998
Part-Time Instructors Busy Working Overtime
Some say students miss full-time faculty
Pamela Burdman, Chronicle Staff Writer
this life."
In California, 65 percent of
Tim Dave's Isuzu Rodeo is inching
Besides their own complaints of
community college teachers and 43
along in rush-hour traffic going south on
substandard treatment, the burgeoning
percent of California State University's
I-680. Most of the other commuters have
ranks of itinerant instructors highlight the
faculty work part time. The University of
finished work for the day, but Dave is
even more troubling question of whether
California does not track part-time
just starting the second leg of his
students are shortchanged when teachers
teachers per se, but the school employs
workday.
parcel themselves out among several
2,000 lecturers and 6,000 graduate
By the time he returns home, he will
schools.
students, in addition to nearly 10,000
have been gone 12 hours, shelled out $12
"This is a
serious problem, a
regular faculty.
for gas and bridge tolls and driven 170
nationwide phenomenon that threads its
Besides not receiving pay on par with
miles, all for the sake of doing what he
way through all types of institutions,"
full-timers, many part- timers lack access
loves - teaching physics.
says Jack Schuster, an education
to photocopiers, computer equipment and
Like an increasing number of college
professor at Claremont Graduate
basic supplies. Few serve on the campus
instructors around the country, Dave is
University. "It is likely that the extensive
committees that develop programs and
patching together full-time work by
use of part-time faculty will have adverse
govern the college - either because they
teaching part time at more than one
consequences for the quality of teaching
do not have the time or they are barred
college.
and learning."
from participating.
And like most of them, Dave earns a
In the past 25 years, the proportion of
Schuster and other scholars recently
fraction per class of what full-timers
part-time instructors has doubled to more
met in Washington to discuss the
make, gets no insurance, receives no
than 40 percent of college faculty. And
problem, which is particularly acute in
payment for office hours and has no
while the number of part-time faculty
humanities departments like English and
office. And he still doesn't know for sure
grew by more than 30 percent between
history, and at community colleges where
whether he'll have work in the fall.
1991 and 1995, full-timers increased only
enrollments fluctuate from semester to
"I live on the hairy edge," he says.
3 percent, according to recently released
semester.
"You truly have to love teaching to live
U.S. Department of Education figures.
"At what point will the proportion of
have careers as accountants, dancers and
Ken Valentine is one of them. The
part-time appointments have grown so
journalists, for example.
Russian River-area resident has been
large that higher education's ability to
But today, more and more part-timers
teaching screenwriting at City College of
perform its historic mission will be
teach traditional subjects. And many
San Francisco for 14 years. But as a
compromised?" the scholars asked in a
work part time because, like Dave, they
part-timer, he's not allowed to teach more
statement.
can't get full-time work. Although fewer
than three classes a semester.
For California's community colleges,
than 20 percent fell into this category in
So in addition to three classes there,
that question is a chronic conundrum, as
the 1980s, today nearly 50 percent of
Valentine teaches two at Diablo Valley
attempts to increase the ratio of full-time
part-time faculty say they would prefer to
College in Pleasant Hill and another at
instructors have repeatedly failed.
teach full time, according to Schuster. In
Santa Rosa Junior College.
There is little dispute that part-timers
the meantime, some are freeway flyers,"
For teaching those six classes - five
can add valuable expertise to a college
logging hundreds of miles a week
are considered a full-time load -
curriculum - particularly those who
traveling from school to school.
Valentine makes about $35,000. At City
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46
College, starting instructors make nearly
the state, part-time issues are one of
Democrat John Vasconcellos that said 75
$37,000. Those with his years of
teachers unions' top concerns in
percent of classes should be taught by
experience get $57,000. Adding insult to
collective bargaining. "It is living hell,
full-time instructors and offered money to
injury, he says, he was given credit for
and it's still not a living wage," said
colleges that met that goal.
three- fourths of a year's work in the
Janene Frahm, a speech instructor at City
By 1991, state budget cuts forced the
state's retirement fund last year -
College. Frahm said she interviewed for
colleges to abandon the effort, and the
despite teaching six classes one semester
full-time positions three times but was
percentage of community college classes
and seven another.
never hired. She shares the sense of many
taught by full-timers inched back to 60
"I'm a very angry part-time employee.
part-timers that there is a stigma attached
percent statewide - about where it was
I'd go on strike tomorrow if the union
to part-time teaching. One full-time
in 1988.
said so," said Valentine. "We could stop
instructor gave a different explanation,
Vasconcellos tried to reinvigorate the
the entire education system in the state
noting that many of the instructors are
legislation last year, but Governor Pete
anytime and make the government deal
"not good enough to teach full time." In
Wilson trimmed the needed $15 million
with it."
interviews, the main complaint from
from the state budget. Scott Wildman, a
City College is one of the few colleges
students about part-timers was that they
Glendale Democrat, is renewing the
in the state that approaches a goal set by
are harder to find outside of class.
effort this year.
the Legislature 10 years ago of having 75
Administrators at individual
Without more money, increases in
percent of classes taught by full-time
community colleges and at the state
full-time hiring may come only if
instructors. The district is also one of the
community college chancellor's office say
part-time pay is forced up through
best-paying in the Bay Area and one of
they would like to decrease their reliance
collective bargaining.
only 14 statewide that offer some health
on part-time teachers. But to do so, they
For now, though, teachers like Dave
benefits for part-timers.
said they need something that has
have few full-time jobs to apply for. Of
Still, part-time teachers there don't
repeatedly been denied them - more
seven physics instructors at Solano
have parity pay, and their health
money.
Community College in Suisun, only one
insurance disappears during the summer
In 1988, the Legislature passed an
is full time.
months. As in most college districts in
Assembly bill sponsored by San Jose
53. Orlando Sentinel
April 28, 1998
GED hopefuls must wait because of stolen tests
By Catherine Hinman
law, meet probation requirements.
in Florida last year. But Department of
of The Sentinel Staff
"I'm really concerned about people
Education officials did not know how
GED testing has been temporarily
who have been told 'If you don't have
many people would be caught up in the
suspended in Florida while officials
your GED by such and such a date you
state's shutdown of GED testing.
investigate the theft of testing materials
won't have a job or you won't get a
The GED test materials were stolen in
in the Panhandle and recover current
promotion," said Willie Ausherman,
Okaloosa County on April 9. The state's
versions of the GED test throughout the
principal at Community High School in
GED office also must screen the answer
state.
Osceola County and chief GED examiner
sheets and essays of all those who took
GED administrators scrambled late
there.
the test between April 10 and 23 for
Friday and Monday to notify hundreds of
Officials say testing could resume by
unusually high passing rates or scores.
test-takers that they will have to wait to
May 8 if Florida's more than 100 testing
The General Educational Testing
take the test, which equates to a high
sites comply quickly in returning their
Service in Washington ordered the
school diploma.
inventory of current GED tests to
suspension April 23 as part of its security
The delay could affect test-takers'
Washington.
procedures. But it is only the second time
plans to enroll in community college, get
The
General
Educational
in a decade that the agency has had to
a job or a promotion or, in the cases of
Development series of tests, known as the
suspend testing on a statewide basis.
some kids who have had brushes with the
GED, was given to almost 57,000 people
Testing was not suspended in the
The Okaloosa-Walton Community
registrar at Okaloosa-Walton Community
adjacent states of Georgia and Alabama
College testing center has been closed
College. "This was a random act."
because they have different versions of
pending the results of the investigation,
In Central Florida, the number of
the test.
but it is expected to reopen next month.
people who will have to wait to take the
The stolen materials included 21 tests,
According to the police report, the
GED includes 32 in Osceola County, 135
15 completed answer books, scratch
testing materials, held in a suitcase, were
in Seminole County and 150 in Orange
paper and an examiner's manual. They
taken by a man with a buzz haircut.
County. An Orange County woman on
were taken about 12:30 a.m. April 9 from
College officials do not think the thief
Monday asked GED county administrator
the car trunk of an Okaloosa-Walton
had any idea what he was stealing.
Kenneth Harper to send a letter to her
Community College test administrator.
"Our take at the college with all the
husband's employer explaining the delay.
The administrator had taken the materials
facts we have is this was not a targeted
Her husband needed his GED by June 1
home with her after a day of testing. The
crime," said Christine Bishop, registrar
for job requirements.
test was to resume the next day.
and director of enrollment services and
"People don't realize how important
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47
the GED is," Harper said. "I think this really opens up people's eyes to how important the test is.
54. Memphis Commercial Appeal
April 28, 1998
Soggy parents rip school policy
By John Semien
"We've been sitting out here for
Sappington said she is trying to get
The Commercial Appeal
several hours in the rain and the
transfers for two children - a 14-year-old
About 100 parents and other relatives
thunderstorm," Bunday said. "I'm
son from Wooddale Middle to
of Memphis City School students braved
drenched to the bone. And they finally
Whitehaven High School and a
the thunder, rain and weather warnings
decided to let us go in here to line up like
9-year-old daughter from Evans to
Monday night to be first in line to
a bunch of cattle, and I'm just furious.
Richland Elementary.
transfer the students to their choice of
"There has got to be a better way."
Eric Hollowell took off from his
schools.
Jacklyn Sappington, who was No. 25
evening job as a mechanic to try to enroll
Seventy-two Memphis schools have
on the list of parents, said she had been
his 5-year-old son in Keystone
5,285 openings for transfers for the next
camping out at the registration building
Elementary.
school year under the school district's
several hours. Sappington said the first
He had been in line since 2 p.m.
open enrollment policy.
30 people signed a list and had roll call
Monday and planned to stay there until
The transfers are open to all students
every four hours.
6:30 a.m. today.
in regular school programs, but are
"We were leaving and coming back
"If all city schools would do as well a
limited to schools with space, and some
and as long as you were here for roll call
job as other schools, we could eliminate
transfers have higher priority.
it was great," she said. "But at 4 p.m.
this," he said. "In the meantime, you have
Parents who lined up outside the
today (Monday) some people started
to go where you feel safe."
Pipkin Building at the Mid-South
getting irate and didn't want to do it that
Janice Crawford, spokesman for
Fairgrounds brought lawn chairs, tents,
way, so we said OK."
Memphis City Schools, said this is the
coolers and other items to make the
Sappington said parents were told
second year for open enrollment.
all-night wait until 6:30 a.m. more
later that a final roll call would be made
Crawford said the thunder and rain
bearable.
at 8 p.m. and then they would be required
were a hardship on the parents who
But as rain forced school officials to
to stay in their spot until applications are
gather early for application day and that
open the building to parents, some said
accepted today.
"we do whatever we can to accommodate
things should not have to be this way.
"I really believe that every school
the parents."
Her poncho soaked, Susan Bunday
should be brought up to par, to optional
"We opened the building to
said she was in line to get her
level or optional classes, so if your child
accommodate the parents who lined up
eighth-grader into White Station Middle
is an exceptional child, then we wouldn't
early because it was storming out there,"
School.
be standing here," Sappington said.
Crawford said.
55. Charleston Post & Courier
April 28, 1998
Sheheen: Racial accord key to saving schools
By SYBIL FIX
standards possible for programs that train
and to which he has devoted most of his
Of The Post and Courier staff
the state's teachers?" " Sheheen's
life. It takes him little to explain what
Second in a series of profiles of the
unabashed response says a lot about why
now brings him to this race: The
candidates for state superintendent of
Million believes he should be the next
preservation of the public school system.
education. A few years ago, Steve
superintendent. "He understands issues
Decades ago, he saw it threatened by the
Million, an associate professor of
perhaps better than anyone. His work is
racism of the Civil Rights era; now he
education at Winthrop University,
essentially peerless and he is a man of
sees it threatened by racial and
attended a conference of institutions that
high principle," Million said. "His work
socioeconomic divisiveness. "The public
prepare college students to be teachers. A
is his bond, and that is very unusual in
school system is the only gateway to
faculty member from one of the
contemporary politics. "There is no
equality and opportunity," he said. "I see
institutions stood up and complained to
question that he cares passionately about
a replay of the white flight from the
then-Commissioner on Higher Education
education," Million said. "When he says
public educational system. I see a
Fred Sheheen that the standards for the
that education represents the future of our
breakdown in racial harmony. It is more
preparation of teachers were too rigorous.
state, there is more to that statement than
subtle, but it is sinister. And it is not a
"I shall never forget Fred's response,"
just platitude." It is hard to separate
valid reason to abandon the public
said Million. "He stood up and asked,
Sheheen - his private life or his discourse
schools." Sheheen, 61, is a quick-witted,
'Why would any institution in the state of
- from education, in which he became
short man with a bursting, high-pitched
South Carolina NOT want the highest
involved as a young parent in Camden
laugh. He grew up in Camden in a large,
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48
politically active family of Lebanese
grandfather). When not divided between
critics still say he didn't fight for funding
descent. He was exposed to politics early,
those, he swims, fishes, gardens, plays
for higher education, that he didn't
with his father's election as mayor of
raquetball, plays the piano and sings in
advocate the interests of faculty or defend
Camden. His brother, Bob, later became
his church choir. Sheheen spent 26 years
the importance of research. He comes to
House speaker. A member of the family's
in education, mostly with the
the race with widespread contacts
first generation of college students, he
Commission on Higher Education. He
throughout the state and very strong
excelled quickly, earning As and Bs in
advocated tighter fiscal management for
goals to shore up the strength of public
everything except for conduct (he talked
schools, tougher academic standards for
schools. Outgoing Superintendent
too much). In junior high, he was editor
athletes and simpler financial aid
Barbara Nielsen endorses Sheheen. They
of the paper and president of his class; at
processes. He fought against segregation
worked together on partnerships between
Camden High, he won the state debating
and fought for technical schools as
colleges and the K-12 system and on new
championship and was valedictorian. A
educa- tional stepping stones for the
student achievement standards, she said.
scholarship propelled him to Duke
poor. He was ousted from the job -
"He cares deeply about children, he is
University, where he studied political
admired for his contributions, yet
very organized, and he has the courage of
science, edited the school paper and won
criticized for his outspokenness, strong
his convictions," Nielsen said. "The role
his class' leadership award for men
opinions and maverick personality. He
as superintendent is to keep the vision
(Elizabeth Dole won the one for women.)
stepped on many toes, fighting against
moving ahead and to challenge people to
Public policy and his family are the
duplication of academic programs, or
think about what is better for children. I
staples of his life (he is said to serve his
colleges spending money on pet projects
think the compassion and the sensitivity
wife breakfast in bed and to be a doting
such as hotels and golf courses. Some
are definitely there."
56. Minneapolis Star Tribune
April 28, 1998
Fight over school testing heats up; scores out Thursday
Rob Hotakainen and Norman Draper
February, must be passed to earn a
above the national average on nationally
Star Tribune
diploma. In 1996 and 1997, thousands of
normed tests.
With Minnesota set to release its latest
children failed the tests. And the results
"There's something wrong there," said
round of school test scores Thursday,
provided state officials with ammunition
Mark Mallander, the group's executive
school officials fired a preemptive strike
to chastise public schools.
director. "We don't know if it's a
Monday by accusing the state of
But a study by the Association of
technical glitch or just a pattern of
misusing and distorting test results.
Metropolitan School Districts found that
distortion of the results."
The tests in reading and math, which
many students who have failed the
were taken by all eighth-graders in
basic-skills test in reading have scored
The association, which represents 24
Kate Trewick, assistant commissioner
"What they dread is when districts are
metro-area school districts, said that not
for teaching and learning with the state
compared one to another," said Jim
only are students doing better than the
Department of Children, Families and
Angermeyr, lead associate for research
state might have you think, but that the
Learning, said the claim that the tests are
and evaluation with the Robbinsdale
tests are much harder than the public has
too hard was an unusual one.
School District. "I suspect that the results
been led to believe.
"What's odd here is that generally
will be fairly similar to last year.
The group said the results have been
we're hearing that the basic-skills tests
Whatever improvements you tend to see
distorted "apparently to advance a
aren't challenging enough," she said.
in tests like this are fairly small and
political agenda." Gov. Arne Carlson and
"Actually, what they show us is which
incremental."
his aides have used the results to push for
eighth-graders are ready to read
Angermeyr said the tests are designed
vouchers and tax credits for private
ninth-grade social studies textbooks, and
for high school graduates and that it's
schools, angering public school groups.
that makes sense to me."
unrealistic to expect large percentages of
The latest debate centers on the
Stakes are higher
eighth-graders to pass them. He said it's
difficulty of the tests. School officials say
This year, for the first time, all
wrong to describe children who do not
it's unfair to call the reading test an
eighth-graders had to take the tests. And
pass the tests as failures.
eighth-grade test when it's a graduation
schools weren't allowed to give
"They're only a failure in the sense
requirement.
comparable, but different, tests in their
that they're not above average," he said.
"It's a 12th-grade test," said
place as they were in the past. A
Many schools launched year-round
Mallander. "It's important that people
tightening-up of testing rules makes it
efforts to improve scores this year.
understand that it is a graduation test
tougher for districts to exclude
Educators touted a new emphasis on the
It just isn't right to label these kids- as
low-scoring special-education and other
basics, featuring expanded reading
failures."
poor-performing students from their test
classes, more math drill and a lot more
The group said in a statement: "The
results.
newspaper and magazine reading.
fact that so many Minnesota
All that should make it easier to
Trewick said she is hearing from
eighth-graders can pass this test before
compare school and district scores, a
districts that are optimistic that this year's
high school is a sign of success, rather
proposition that makes school officials
scores will show an improvement.
than failure."
uneasy.
"Boy, there are some districts that are
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
49
confident that more kids can read at this
Trewick responded that the tests are not
whether we're delivering or not, and this
level than there were in the last round of
about politics, but about holding districts,
is one of many measures."
testing," she said. "We'll see on
schools, teachers and students
Last year's results showed that 41
Thursday."
responsible for learning.
percent of Minnesota eighth-graders
In response to the claim that test
"It seems pretty basic to me," she said.
flunked the test in reading, while three in
scores were becoming too politicized,
"We need to have a measure to know
10 couldn't pass a similar test in math.
57. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 28, 1998
2 schools here ban clothing from 'South Park' show
By Jim Stingl
the harmless looking cartoon and stopped
one day, but other children gathered
of the Journal Sentinel staff
children from coming into schools
around to look at it, and that took "a little
"South Park," the most popular show
wearing "South Park" T-shirts and caps.
bit of time away from the classroom."
on cable TV these days, especially among
Although children have been enjoying
Dominican High School, in Whitefish
kids, is just beginning to appear on the
the show in ever growing numbers since
Bay, also has prohibited clothes depicting
radar screen of most parents and
it first aired last August, parents say
images from show.
educators who are looking past the
they're concerned by the profane and
"The humor characterized in the
sweet-faced cartoon urchins and finding
racially charged language and themes of
program is inconsistent with our school
shockingly adult themes.
the show, which have included an
philosophy," Michael Maguire, principal
At least two schools in the Milwaukee
elephant making love to a pig, anal
of the Catholic school, said Monday.
area have banned clothing depicting the
probes by aliens and lots of flatulence
If all that comes to mind is Whitnall
cute but potty-mouthed characters from
and poop jokes.
Park when you think of a south park, here
the half-hour animated program on the
Parents of the 520 students in
is a quick overview of the show, which
Comedy Central network.
kindergarten through fourth grade at
airs here at 9 p.m. Wednesday and
The satirical show is tagged with a
Stormonth Elementary School in Fox
repeats at other times:
TV-MA (mature) rating and is preceded
Point got a letter last week from Principal
The show is set in the hick town of
by an advisory to parents.
Linda Moore saying the clothing was
South Park, Colo., and follows the
Concerned schools here are joining
causing a disruption in the classrooms
adventures of four grammar school boys
districts in Georgia, Connecticut, Texas,
and would not be allowed.
crudely animated as wide-eyed fireplugs.
New Jersey and other states that have
Moore acknowledged seeing only one
warned parents about the adult content of
child wearing a "South Park" T-shirt on
There's Stan, the group's leader who
Authority figures who are still figuring
Moore, principal at Stormonth, who in
throws up when he gets nervous around
out that "Beavis and Butt-head" has
1996 banned Beanie Babies from school
girls; Kyle, the smart and sweet one who
dissolved into reruns might be surprised
because they distracted the children,
gets picked on for being Jewish;
to hear just how popular "South Park"
thinks children who watch "South Park"
Cartman, the fat kid whose
has become.
have been imitating the put-downs they
hermaphrodite mother is always feeding
Ten of the last 12 weeks, it was the
hear and have become disrespectful
him cheesy snacks; and Kenny, whose
No. 1-rated show on basic cable, and last
toward adults and peers.
claim to fame is that he gets killed every
week's show, which solved the mystery of
"We have become aware that some of
show in a microwave, for instance, or
Cartman's father, was seen by 6.2 million
our children are taping it and sharing it
torn apart by angry turkeys. Hence this
viewers, making it the second-highest
with their friends, so your child may be
year's hot phrase: "Oh, my God. They've
rated cable show ever.
watching it when you are not at home,"
killed Kenny!"
Most of the school principals
the letter to parents says.
Adults in the town are just as strange.
contacted for this story had never heard
She said she consulted her staff and
Mr. Garrison, the boys' teacher, is
of the show, and they said they were
showed a videotape of "South Park"
homophobic and a racist who often
unaware of it causing any problems at
episodes to the parent-teacher
speaks through a puppet. Chef, the
school. They said they tend to ban
organization before sending the letter.
school's cafeteria cook whose voice is
clothing that contains profane or violent
She has received only positive feedback
done by "Shaft" soul singer Issac Hayes,
messages, depicts alcohol, tobacco or
from parents about her warning and
croons explicit sexual songs.
drugs, or is anything - the recent
clothing ban.
Kathie Lee Gifford showed up as a
Marilyn Manson look-alike craze would
Victoria Jacobus, of Fox Point, said
cartoon, and Jesus fought Satan in a
be an example - that disrupts the
her son Jake, a fourth-grader at
pay-per-view match on one show that
learning atmosphere.
Stormonth, spent his own money on a
brought complaints to Comedy Central
Dennis Allmon, a spokesman for West
"South Park" hat that he can't wear to
from a national Catholic organization.
Allis schools, said his college-age
school any more.
"They thought that was outrageous,
daughter put a "South Park" bumper
But she supports Moore's decision and
but it was a positive story about Jesus. He
sticker on his car.
after watching the show with her fourth-
ended up winning the fight," said Tony
"The little guys are kind of cute, but
and fifth-graders has decided it's not
Fox, a spokesman for Comedy Central in
they do have terribly foul mouths,"
appropriate for that age.
New York.
Allmon said.
Her children still beg her to let them
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
50
watch the show.
out that this is a show for adults. He said
pick up on. They're subtle. It's social
"It just blew my mind when I viewed
about 20% of "South Park" viewers are
satire, and I think that's where the danger
it on my own," said Donna Olsen,
younger than 18, and only 5% are 2 to 11
lies for young children."
president of the Fox Point-Bayside
years old. Clothing from the show is not
According to Bev Greenberg, a
Parent Teacher Organization. "But it
made in children's sizes, he said.
spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable in
certainly has a following among the kids.
"We consider this an adult program.
the Milwaukee area, the company has not
That I know."
We don't want kids watching it," Fox
received any calls so far complaining
Fox, the Comedy Central spokesman,
said. "There's a lot of messages in the
about "South Park.'
said he applauds efforts to get the word
show that a young person is not likely to
58. Richmond Times Dispatch
April 28, 1998
School fund bid likely facing trim
Prince George board sought 10.5% boost
BY JON POPE
technically a "cut" in school funding; it's
standing-room-only crowd by delaying
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer
just not the sizable increase school
the hearing for nearly two hours. Parker
PRINCE GEORGE - It appears that
officials were seeking. The current
warned the audience before the public
the Prince George School Board will
budget allocates $8.3 million in local
hearing that any emotional outbursts,
receive $500,000 less in local funding
money to the schools.
including applause, could lead to a delay.
than it requested for fiscal year 1998-99.
The School Board's request for fiscal
After School Board Chairwoman
The Board of Supervisors is expected
year 1998-99 funding is $869,000, or
Rebecca L. Voorhees spoke, the crowd
to vote tonight on the proposed $63.1
10.5 percent, more than the county
applauded, causing the supervisors to
million spending package, which
provided in the current budget, while the
vote 4-1 to delay the hearing. Foster
allocates $8.6 million in local funding for
supervisors' proposed allocation
voted against the delay.
the public school system. The School
represents about a 4 percent increase.
The move brought derisive cries from
Board had requested $9.1 million from
Only Supervisor G. Reid Foster Jr. has
the audience, such as "You will be voted
the county.
spoken out in favor of full funding for the
out!"
"I think the general feeling is that the
school system.
When the hearing resumed, speaker
cut, per se, will probably remain," said
Residents blasted the Board of
after speaker asked the supervisors to
Henry D. Parker Jr., chairman of the
Supervisors at an April 14 public hearing
explain why they supported the "cut" in
Board of Supervisors.
on the budget but not before the
school funding, but no one responded.
The supervisors' proposal isn't
supervisors
stunned
the
The supervisors and the School Board
possible ways for the School Board to
improvement from an earlier meeting
met Friday to discuss the issue further.
lessen the impact of the "cut," including
between the boards when the supervisors
The supervisors told school officials that
leasing eight new buses for $80,000 or
either stonewalled school officials or
a 10.4 percent increase was too much,
$90,000 instead of purchasing them for
gave rude responses to budget
Voorhees said.
$382,000.
inquiries.
She said the supervisors discussed
Voorhees said the meeting was an
59. Baltimore Sun
April 28, 1998
Special education in city schools pushed to the back of
the bus again
By Mark A. Mlawer
be told. They had an easy act to follow;
Avenue was a bastion of educrats, paying
A CITY-state partnership for
and they are already making significant
its top administrators high salaries and
Baltimore schools was ushered in with
mistakes.
rating them "satisfactory" regardless of
great fanfare and $254 million a year ago,
Their predecessors almost steered the
performance, while students, parents and
stirring hopes that finally the schools
school system into oblivion. Students
the "culture" were consistently blamed
would be steered in the right direction.
dropped out at three times the state
for the systems failings.
Since the new school board and
average. Student performance was the
But hasn't a new day dawned?
interim schools chief Robert E. Schiller
lowest in the state, although a third of
Perhaps, but a look at special education
became actors in the city schools
Maryland's school districts spent less per
suggests a different conclusion.
melodrama, they have garnered relatively
pupil.
In 1984, Baltimore children with
good reviews. But the whole truth must
The school headquarters on North
disabilities sued the city schools for
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51
failing to obey federal laws governing
unnecessarily transported to expensive
guidance counselors for specific schools.
special education. Students were waiting
separate schools and classes. Costs
It is indeed challenging to implement a
too long for evaluations, weren't
continue to increase because of a failure
plan one hasn't read.
receiving services or had them
to break with these practices.
Not surprisingly, the city schools are
interrupted. Sometimes schools would
The plan calls for assisting teachers in
already far behind on much of the plan.
forget about students who were supposed
meeting the needs of at-risk students
Most of the bureaucrats responsible for
to be evaluated, rediscovering them years
instead of referring them to special
this are still safely ensconced in their
later with far worse problems.
education, and educating more students
jobs. Instead of implementing the plan,
Many court orders have been issued
in their neighborhood schools.
they are now doing what bureaucrats do
that direct the school system to comply
Implementing it will help control
best: writing a "modified" plan that
with federal law, but they were repeatedly
spiraling special education and associated
removes provisions necessary to solve the
violated. Things got so bad that in 1994
transportation costs.
problems.
then-Superintendent Walter Amprey was
Many expected that the new board and
What reform?
held in contempt of court. Even today,
Mr. Schiller would act quickly to carry
Does this sound familiar? It should.
the school system doesn't know where all
out the plan. Unfortunately, their actions
From the perspective of students with
its students with disabilities are or what
have been too little too late.
disabilities, too little has changed.
services they're supposed to receive.
In spite of repeated reminders, for
Nevertheless, now the state is supporting
Hundreds of students each month are
months no one was placed in charge of
city bureaucrats rather than city students.
denied services, and those are just the
the plan. In September, Mr. Schiller
Its active concern for the most vulnerable
students the system knows about.
stated that no additional funds were
students apparently ended when the
Last year, representatives of the city,
necessary to implement it. But in
city-state partnership was achieved.
state and students agreed to a long-range
November, the city schools claimed a
The school board and the state must
compliance plan, which the court
lack of money. The new money from the
make the plan a top priority. Special
adopted. The plan marks the first time the
state? Sorry, already spent. What about
education laws, court orders and the
parties have agreed on specific steps to
the state's agreement to help carry out the
federal court are not going away. Neither
fix the problems. Previous attempts
plan? Forget about it. The court order?
are these 18,000 students, and they've
treated only the symptoms, and,
Change it.
already waited long enough.
predictably, failed.
It is not even clear whether key staff
Mark A. Mlawer represented city
Plan for the problem
members are familiar with the plan.
students with disabilities on the
This plan gets at the heart of the
While publicly characterizing it as mere
Management Oversight Team from
matter: Severe problems in regular
"paperwork," they then explain their
1994-1997.
education cause large numbers of
failure to implement certain provisions by
students to be identified as disabled; once
professing ignorance of its contents, even
identified, students are often
requirements as concrete as hiring
60. Baltimore Sun
April 28, 1998
Baltimore schools shift on reading texts
More explicit phonics now being considered
By Marego Athans Sun Staff
- originally set for tonight - for one or
"They should take time to do this
Baltimore school officials changed
two weeks so he could weigh options and
process correctly," said state schools
direction yesterday on the purchase of
consult other big-city superintendents
Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick. "It's
reading books, and are now considering
and reading experts.
a very significant decision. It will totally
programs that teach more explicit
He said he was partial to programs
guide the instructional program for
phonics in the early grades.
that offer direct, explicit phonics in early
several years. It must be done in a very
Chief academic officer Searetha
grades, and was looking closely at
measured way and take into account the
Smith, who was set last week to
McGraw-Hill's Open Court program for
opinions of national experts in research."
recommend one textbook series for all
grades kindergarten through two.
As part of a sweeping reform of the
elementary school grades, expanded the
"It's not a matter of changing the
troubled school system, Schiller had
options yesterday. She suggested three
thinking - I like to have avariety of
called for one or two sets of textbooks to
choices: using a Houghton Mifflin series
policy options," he said. "We've been
bring consistency to the district, where
for all elementary grades; giving schools
talking it through; it may well be that
the medley of 15 different programs
three or four textbook selections; or
we'll wind up with one basal [textbook
makes it difficult to set standards.
adopting one book series for kindergarten
series]. But I want to make sure the board
Schiller has said he feels an urgent need
through second grade and another for
understands its range of options."
to pick books so that teachers can be
grades three through five.
The shift comes as school officials
trained by fall.
Interim schools chief Robert E.
face criticism for rushing into a decision
The stakes are enormous: 88 percent
Schiller decided yesterday to delay the
and paying too little attention to reading
of third graders don't meet state standards
board vote on the $3.8 million purchase
research.
in reading.
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52
Schiller and the school board will now
nearly 30 years of research that points to
speaking and listening in grades three
weigh the textbook issue, which already
the importance of teaching the sound
through five.
has provoked some controversy. In
structure of the language and phonics, the
In late March, a 35-member panel of
March, a panel of teachers and
debate has shifted to how phonics should
teachers, administrators and others heard
administrators favored two textbook
be taught.
presentations from six publishers and
series including the Houghton Mifflin
States like California and Texas,
selected two: Macmillan/McGraw-Hil
series recommended by Smith - that
leaders in reading reform, are now
and Houghton Mifflin, programs that are
have sold well around the country but
demanding "explicit, systematic
hot sellers around the country and are
have not been rigorously tested for
phonics." That means teaching children
marketed aggressively.
effectiveness.
to sound out letters in isolation and blend
What raised questions among many
The panel rejected two other textbooks
them together to form words; requiring
reading experts is that the panel rejected
that have proven successful in major
them to master simple skills before
two programs that have proven successful
studies and were developed by scripting
moving on to more complex ones; and
in independent studies: Open Court and
into practice the most reliable research on
asking them to read stories that have a
SRA Reading Mastery, both owned by
how to teach beginning readers.
high percentage of words they can sound
McGraw-Hill.
Robert E. Slavin, a nationally
out.
The panel disqualified SRA Reading
recognized Johns Hopkins researcher,
Several major publishing companies
Mastery, mainly because it lacked an
said that the selection process was typical
got caught on the wrong end of this
adequate language arts program in grades
of many school districts - influenced
rather sudden shift toward phonics, and
three through five.
more by publishers' marketing prowess
are scrambling to produce supplements
Of the remaining programs, Open
than solid proof.
and revisions. That means Baltimore's
Court ranked fourth.
"It's business as usual at a time when
purchase comes at a bad time. Within a
School officials consulted six reading
business as usual is not a good idea," he
year, some major publishers will have
specialists with the State Department of
said. "Evidence of effectiveness is hardly
hired big-name authors with expertise in
Education, Coppin and Morgan State
ever an issue. If I were making the
systematic phonics and have revamped
universities and the University of
decision I'd be looking for evidence."
their books for new standards in Texas.
Maryland, College Park - but only
Baltimore's textbook debate is the
In Baltimore, school officials
asked them to review the top two
latest incarnation of the "reading wars"
produced a list of criteria that calls for
recommendations. Three of those
between phonics, which focuses on
explicit, systematic phonics and
panelists lack expertise in beginning
sounding out words, and whole language,
phonemic awareness in kindergarten
reading, although all have general
which emphasizes engaging literature.
through second grade as well as an
knowledge about reading or middle
But now, with mounting attention to
integrated program of reading, writing,
school reading.
Smith, the school system's chief
and good teacher training. She said she
University of Utah who served on a
academic officer, could not be reached
doesn't believe that all children need
selection panel for Salt Lake City area
for comment yesterday evening. But in a
explicit phonics; some need a more
schools, one of the largest districts in the
recent interview, she said she saw no
"visual" method, she said.
country.
need to consult national experts, many of
Schiller, the acting superintendent,
"One district in Utah takes an entire
whom, she said, are affiliated with the
would not name the outside experts he
school year to review books when they're
publishing companies.
plans to consult about Baltimore's
about to issue a recommended list. It
"I consider myself a national reading
decision. Others who have been involved
would be very difficult to look carefully
expert," she said, noting that she is a
in textbook purchases advised taking
at six different series in that time frame
trained reading specialist and has already
time to study reading research and what it
and see whether or not the claims the
conducted three reading textbook
should look like in practice.
publishers' representatives make are in
adoptions in other school districts.
"We took six weeks, and I thought we
fact substantiated.
She said that particular textbooks are
were rushing," said Kathleen Brown, a
less important than an overall strategy
professor and reading researcher at the
61. Bergen Record
April 28, 1998
Not all colleges want to be universities
By JOHN MOONEY Staff Writer
continue to go by "college" and have no
College, and Thomas Edison State
Will Ramapo College soon be
plans to change.
College. Among private schools, Felician
Ramapo University? How does Stockton
"If you look across the country, the
College in Lodi is also letting the
U. sound? Or University of New Jersey?
term 'college' remains a very venerable
university bandwagon pass.
New Jersey's state college system is
one," said Vera King Farris, president of
These schools don't criticize their
swiftly being transformed into a state
Richard Stockton College in Atlantic
peers for switching to the fancier
"university" system, with Jersey City
County. "We're very happy where we
university title, which generally reflects
State College the latest institution
are."
the breadth of a school's graduate-level
seeking to become a university.
Concurring are officials from the
programs. But Ramapo President Robert
But there are a few holdouts that
College of New Jersey, Ramapo State
Scott said the university label also can
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53
connote a "large, cold, and impersonal"
commitment to retaining the programs'
definitely went up," said Czeclowicz, a
place something he hopes to avoid at
students and faculty, and have the
marketing major from Manville.
his 5,000-student campus in Mahwah.
financial resources to maintain the
And when he tries to convert that
"I think there is a niche for a public
programs.
major into a job, Czeclowicz believes the
liberal arts college like ours," he said.
To many, the change was long
university title will bring a certain cachet
So what's all this fuss about a name,
overdue. For instance, William Paterson
to his resume.
anyway?
University already had 13 graduate
"You can tell it helps when you say to
In the past five years, four state
programs before it got the new title.
people you went to Montclair State
colleges and two private colleges have
"William Paterson, Kean, and Jersey
University, instead of College," he said.
made the switch to university. Rider and
City, they should have been called
When filing their petition to become
Montclair State were the first, and
universities years ago," said Darryl Greer,
New Jersey City University, officials said
William Paterson and Kean the most
director of the New Jersey State College
the new name is more than just a matter
recent.
Governing Boards Association.
of semantics.
Jersey City State would be the seventh
"What precluded them was just asinine
"This great institution of higher
college-turned-university It is asking the
overregulation by the state," he said.
learning will then become an even greater
state Commission on Higher Education to
"Now, the regulations are more
one with a forward-looking name that
kindly dub it New Jersey City University.
reasonable. Institutions are now being
expresses its vision, place, and mission,"
A May 29 vote is scheduled.
called what they are."
said John Moore, the college's trustee
All this started in 1992 when the state
But it's more than just a matter of truth
chairman.
issued new regulations that loosened the
in advertising. The new name also brings
New Jersey's system is not alone in its
definition of what is and is not a
a prestige that a school hopes will raise
face lift.
university.
its standing in the community - and
"There is definitely a trend for
Previously, the state said a school was
increase its attractiveness to prospective
regional public institutions to re-name
either a "research university" providing
students.
themselves universities," said Robert
doctoral programs or a "college." There
As a member of the Class of 1999 at
Atwell, former president of the American
was nothing in between.
Montclair State University, Bob
Council on Education, a higher-education
Six years ago, a new "comprehensive
Czeclowicz said his school's name
advocacy group in Washington, D.C.
university" category was created. Among
change four years ago was significant.
"In fact, there aren't a whole lot of
its requirements: The institution had to
"You can't tell a difference on a
public four-year institutions that still call
have at least three graduate programs for
day-to-day basis, but the interest and
themselves colleges," he said.
the five previous years, show a
things like enrollment and applications
Atwell said the danger is the possible
New Jersey State College Governing
applications, according to officials. And
creation of a bunch of "flagship
Boards Association. "These are not
the College of New Jersey, which used to
wannabes" striving to compete with true
wannabe Rutgers or Princetons, and they
be Trenton State College, has become
statewide institutions like Rutgers
shouldn't be denigrated for just wanting
arguably the state's most competitive
University - a prospect that can drain
to be first-rate, comprehensive regional
public institution.
public money and resources.
universities."
"It's part of our whole mission," said
But he and others said that doesn't
And what of the current and future
Susan Long, a spokeswoman for the
seem to be happening in New Jersey. The
colleges? Few of them would probably
College of New Jersey. "With our
state still has a separate category for
qualify yet to be universities, anyway.
undergraduate focus, being a college
established research universities, and the
But several officials said the college label
reflects what we are much more than
new universities have to obtain separate
may become its own best advertising.
being a university would.'
approval for doctoral programs.
As it is, Ramapo College this year saw
"It's a straw man," said Greer, of the
a nearly 40 percent rise in freshman
62. New York Daily News
April 28, 1998
Gov Is Too Cutting, Say Schools Advocates
By NANCIE L. KATZ and
the aisle and spurring vows of overrides
than $10 billion in repairs, and noted
JON R. SORENSEN
and legal action.
space will be further squeezed when the
Daily News Staff Writers
He cut more than $200 million
city expands pre-kindergarten programs
chools advocates yesterday blasted
earmarked to rebuild the city's
public
and begins early grade class-size
Gov. Pataki for slashing hundreds of
schools, in addition to $100
million
reduction next year.
millions of dollars in education funds as
for teacher salaries and
training
"The vetoes here cut into the heart and
the governor defended those and other
programs.
soul of urban education," said Randi
cuts as fiscally prudent.
Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew
Weingarten, president of the United
Pataki on Sunday sliced about $1.6
said the education cuts "will have dire
Federation of Teachers.
billion in spending and borrowing
consequences for our students if they
And Assemblyman Steven Sanders
approved this month by the Legislature
are not restored."
(D-Manhattan) assailed the cuts as
- angering lawmakers on both sides of
He said school buildings need more
"heartless and irresponsible."
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54
But Pataki, who slashed a total $500
Giuliani said.
for the State University of New York.
million earmarked for school
"Gov. Pataki's actions on the veto and
"It's a big blow. It hurts students," said
reconstruction statewide, said the state
the budget were signs of real leadership."
Irwin Polishook, head of CUNY's faculty
already is set to spend $900 million on
But Assembly Democrats said they are
union.
building and reconstructing schools.
ready to go to court, saying the
Pataki also whacked $3 million that
"A lot of things I would have liked" to
governor's vetoes are illegal. And Senate
would have reinstated a conductor on
keep in the budget, he said. "But what
Republicans haven't ruled out an
every subway, $2 million to have more
you have to do ultimately is make sure
attempted override.
clerks on the Long Island Rail Road and
the budget meets the needs of the public,
The City University of New York,
Metro-North, and $100,000 to give half
not just this year - which is an election
meanwhile, is losing more than $19.8
fares to more city school children.
year - but in the future."
million approved by the Legislature,
Dozens of community groups,
Pataki got a thumbs up from Mayor
including $7.5 million to hire 150
meanwhile, will miss out on the $158
Giuliani, who praised his fellow
full-time professors, $2.3 million for
million in pork-barrel expenditures
Republican's fiscal restraint. "By and
tutoring programs and $1.6 million for
approved by the Legislature.
large, the city was helped by this,"
day care. A similar amount was rejected
63. Hartford Courant
April 28, 1998
National Group Taps Local Educator
By JANICE D'ARCY
for a sex change operation.
back and consider the issues before
WALLINGFORD - Superintendent
But now he might have a harder time
speaking out," Cirasuolo said in a recent
Joseph J. Cirasuolo declined to comment
fending off publicity. As president-elect
interview in his Wallingford office,
on an intensifying censorship debate a
of the American Association of School
sparsely decorated but festooned this day
few weeks back.
Administrators, Cirasuolo will be the
with congratulatory balloons.
Not long before, he would say little
front man for 15,000 colleagues and a
"I'm sure I'll be tempted to fire back at
when his school system was accused of
national spokesman for education.
times, but I've learned that's rarely the
forcing out a teacher who was preparing
"I think it's more responsible to hold
most responsible response."
It's a style the 56-year-old
system have shown that Cirasuolo is a bit
list, issuing a tactfully worded defense of
administrator intentionally cultivated
camara-shy - a quality that may not play
the novel's literary merit.
during a career that began as an English
well in his new post. Private school
The parents have appealed the
teacher in Hamden. He vividly
reimbursement, teacher tenure and school
decision to the board of education.
remembers the time, as an administrator
financing are a smattering of the
Cirasuolo did not speak on the second
in Clinton, that he publicly denounced a
contentious issues Cirasuolo will be
case until well after the controversy
colleague.
expected to weigh in on.
subsided. When Scott Hendricks, a
"I made the debate personal," he said,
"We need a forceful spokesperson for
popular high school teacher who was
taking care this day not to name his
this job," said Gary Marx, a top AASA
preparing for a sex change, abruptly
former foe. "I created a lot of enemies
administrator. But Marx noted that a
retired in February, his students and a
that stayed with me for years. That taught
delayed response is not necessarily a
few of their parents were outraged.
me a hard lesson."
passive one.
Cirasuolo said nothing in the face of
In Wallingford, where he has been
``I believe Joseph Cirasuolo is a
mounting protests to what appeared to be
superintendent for eight years, critics are
forceful spokesperson," he said. "I think
a forced resignation. His stock response:
few and far between. The board of
other administrators look to him for ideas
"All I will say is we do not discriminate."
education chairwoman calls him a
and guidance."
Almost two months later he explained
"treasure."
Eventually, Cirasuolo did speak
that Hendricks' departure "was better for
"He collects his facts and then
publicly on both the censorship debate
the students."
speaks," said Chairwoman Patricia
and the teacher who retired early.
"If the teacher were to have come in
Corsetti. "That way, you know you're
In the first case, which continues to
after the operation, it wouldn't be an
getting a thoughtful conscientious
simmer in town, a set of parents
issue. But that wasn't the case here. I
response."
complained that the James Dickey novel
think it would have been a very difficult
Outside Wallingford, he is well- liked
"Deliverance" was inappropriate as
transition for the students to deal with,"
enough that other administrators elected
assigned reading in their son's senior
Cirasuolo said.
him president of the New England
level English class.
The teacher has taken a cue from the
Association of School Superintendents
Cirasuolo was silent through a raucous
schools chief and has remained silent on
and its Connecticut counterpart before he
board of education meeting and weeks of
the issue.
was tapped for the national post.
local debate. He ultimately came out in
"Sometimes it's best not to talk about
But the two recent controversies in his
support of the book's place on the reading
everything all the time," Cirasuolo said.
64. Boston Globe
April 28, 1998
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55
Special ed reform ignored in House budget
$19.4b plan anticipates $500m tax reduction
By Geeta Anand, Globe Staff
education, shortchanging students in
$75, respectively, for each 20-minute
In a sign that the Legislature's
regular classrooms. The education
meeting they attend. The board meets
much-touted effort to overhaul special
committee recommended some reforms
twice a week and both men earn close to
education is dead, House Ways and
but stopped short of adopting the most
$10,000 annually from the membership.
Means Chairman Paul Haley put no
controversial changes.
Malone said through a spokesman that
money for the plan in the $19.4 billion
The House budget, up 5 percent from
he had "no problem" seeing the board
budget he unveiled yesterday.
what the House passed last year, was
abolished.
Haley said he will not go along with
praised yesterday by the Massachusetts
Acting Governor Paul Cellucci
an education committee plan to spend
Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded
attacked the House plan yesterday for
another $15 million to help communities
watchdog group. The spending plan
failing to include $40 million he
burdened by the high cost of special
anticipates a $500 million tax cut,
proposed for new teachers, a plan Haley
education because the same proposal
including the phase-out of a tax on the
dismissed as a gimmick.
does not go far enough in reforming the
insurance industry that will reduce annual
"We're going to keep fighting,"
existing system.
revenues by $10 million next year and as
Cellucci said. "I don't think lowering
"We're not going to put even more
much as $75 million when fully
class sizes is a gimmick."
resources into a special education plan
phased-in after 10 years.
Michael Widmer, president of the
until someone is able to come up with
Included in Haley's budget is a small
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation,
one that contains the costs," Haley said.
but highly symbolic plan to save $70,000
called the proposal a "good budget" and
Leading lawmakers have pushed for
by eliminating the state Emergency
said it takes advantage of the healthy
an overhaul, arguing that a
Finance Board. Both Treasurer Joseph
economy and huge budget surplus to
disproportionate amount of state
Malone and Auditor Joseph DeNucci are
offer tax cuts and invest in needed capital
education funding is going to special
members of the board and earn $100 and
programs.
"The initiatives may not be as sexy,
expand adult education.
But Haley and others have argued that
but they're important," Widmer said.
Haley's failure to include money for
the state special education law should be
Like the budget proposal Cellucci
special education angered the leading
changed to eliminate the requirement that
released in January, the House plan
advocacy group for children with
schools provide "maximum possible"
includes $50 million in new spending for
disabilities. Julia Landau, a lawyer with
services for children with special needs.
local roads and bridges, the type of
the Massachusetts Advocacy Center, said
Instead, they believe the state should
projects the state usually borrows to fund.
the money was sorely needed.
adopt the federal requirement used by
As Cellucci does, Haley calls for school
"We're very disappointed the budget
most states: a "free and appropriate
districts to spend more of the money they
fails to provide more money to school
public education."
receive through the Education Reform
districts for the cost of educating children
Critics of the federal standard say it
Act on general maintenance, requiring
with disabilities," she said.
would allow school districts to reduce the
that they do so in order to have access to
Landau has argued the reforms the
level of services they provide for children
a $30 million school building account.
education committee recommended were
with disabilities.
Haley's budget, $83 million higher
adequate to address critics' concern that
The House is scheduled to begin
than Cellucci's, also would add case
too many children with minor problems
debate on the budget Monday
workers for mentally retarded people and
were landing in special education.
65. Associated Press
April 28, 1998
No honor for student ToT
By Associated Press
barrier to joining the national society.
also barred male students who have
XENIA, Ohio - A student with a 3.8
"In Xenia, we have not allowed that,"
children.
grade point average has been barred from
said Xenia schools Superintendent James
Lemon filed a formal discrimination
joining her high school's National Honor
Smith. "This community is a very - what
grievance with the high school's principal
Society chapter because she is a teenage
would I say - conservative community."
on Friday, saying the school's decision
mother.
The National Honor Society,
violates federal law.
Amanda Lemon, 18, was invited to
established in 1921, allows the more than
The school is now reviewing its
join Xenia High School's chapter until
14,000 high school chapters across the
policy. However, a spokeswoman for the
the five-member faculty council that
country to set their own standards in four
national group that oversees the society
oversees the society learned the senior
areas: grade point average, service,
said a school can bar a teenage parent
has a 9-month-old daughter.
leadership, and character.
from joining.
School officials said parenthood is a
Smith said the school's society has
"If the child was seen as evidence the
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56
girl was engaged in sex behavior, that can
Lemon's mother said her daughter is a
whole world has crumbled around you,"
be used as a gauge of her character," said
role model who deserves to be inducted.
Barbara Lemon said. "You can make it
Pat Scanlan, spokeswoman for the
"She has shown you don't have to have
and excel."
National Association of Secondary
an abortion, you don't have to drop out of
School Principals.
school. you don't have to feel like your
66. Christian Science Monitor
April 28, 1998
Schools Slam the Door on Hallway Lockers
Suzi Parker,
students spent a lot of time at lockers,
sat down and thought that if we could
Special to The Christian Science Monitor
gabbing to friends and sometimes getting
alleviate the problem of students getting
ASHDOWN, ARK. - The decision
into fights.
into trouble or being late for class, the
was almost as easy as flipping a coin: no
To eliminate these distractions, Mr.
students could then get back to
lockers.
Halter and Jim Gentry, principal of
concentrating on learning."
Last fall, Steve Halter, principal of
Ashdown High School, decided at the
When the bell rings, the 800 students
Ashdown Junior High School in
beginning of the school year to remove
enrolled in both the junior and senior
Ashdown, Ark., decided the time had
the lockers.
high schools simply get up from one class
come to address tardiness and discipline
"We've always had problems in our
and walk to the next. All they need are
problems between classes.
schools with students being tardy and not
paper and pen, and most students carry
As a former assistant principal at the
getting to class on time, as well as having
book bags as well.
town's high school, he realized that most
arguments in the locker area, which is
problems occurred between classes when
normal," Halter says. "Mr. Gentry and I
A set of textbooks is kept in each
really miss talking to my friends between
program. But in the long run, the cost in
classroom and another set is issued to
classes. I don't think that's a good thing.
Ashdown was not that high since most
students to keep at home. Although it
It seems like studying all day," says
schools already buy additional textbooks.
means having twice the number of books,
eighth-grader Martelle Fields.
On the home front, students no longer
the benefits, including students no longer
But school officials point to the new
have the excuse "I left my books at
forgetting or losing books, outweigh the
policy's benefits. Halter once spent his
school" to avoid homework assignments.
extra cost, says Gentry.
time issuing 15 to 20 tardy slips a day.
And the wear, tear, and destruction of
"It's better this way," says ninth-grader
Now, two or three are unusual. Teenagers
books have come to a virtual halt.
Teresa Teehee. "We aren't late to class
no longer hang out in the locker bay, an
The lockers still stand in the schools,
anymore. There's not that pressure to
area now off limits to students.
and Superintendent Dickie Williams is
hurry. We still get to talk to our friends a
"In the past, we had students jammed
reluctant to pull them out just yet. He
little, not as much though. The good
into that one area," Halter says. "If a
says the plan is working for now, but he
thing is that we get started on time and
conflict broke out, then all the students
wants to make sure it will last. "If we go
seem to be getting more out of class."
gathered and looked. You couldn't get to
in and pull out the lockers and then five
But without lockers, students don't get
them. We have just taken the opportunity
years down the line a new principal wants
to socialize as long between classes, nor
to get rid of trouble."
lockers back in the school, then we will
do they receive a longer lunch. Next year,
Halter heard about the elimination of
have a big expense."
the schools plan to cut the time between
lockers at education conferences. He says
"Lockers gave students a place to store
classes from five to three minutes.
schools in Arizona and Texas have also
things they didn't need," Gentry says. "It's
Students may receive some compensation
tried the no-lockers plan.
amazing how much it has helped the
for their quickness to class if the
Halter credits the Ashdown School
school be more effective and efficient at
principals shorten the school day by six
Board for approving the project, which at
teaching."
to seven minutes.
first looked expensive. Cost factors often
Not all students like the new policy. "I
stop school districts from enacting such a
67. Christian Science Monitor
April 28, 1998
What Happens When They Teach the ABCs?
Gail Russell Chaddock,
alphabet. "Look at that fly. It sat on my
write them, build words with them, and
Staff writer of The Christian Science
hat." He chuckles, steals a glance at his
trounce his tutor at phonics bingo. "Hey,
Monitor
tutor, then reads on: "My cap has a flap.
I lose. You beat me, man. Good job!"
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - To
Rap. Rap. Rap."
says Dedric Barber, a volunteer tutor
hear Roderick Kirby, you wouldn't guess
This first-grader has his "ap" and "at"
with Book Buddies - one of the top
that six months ago, he didn't know the
sounds down cold. He can read them,
reading programs in the country and one
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
57
of the few that have learned to use
co-director of the Early Learning Project
Book Buddies tutors are not reading
volunteers effectively.
at Johns Hopkins University in
experts, but they teach as if they were.
Volunteers are the latest strategy to
Baltimore. "The worst-case scenario is
Mr. Barber is an employee at State Farm
resolve the nation's reading crisis.
that kids who work with these tutors will
Insurance in Charlottesville. When he
President Clinton has called for 1 million
become unmotivated and find that they
walks into one of his semiweekly tutoring
of them to help ensure that every child
can't learn to read," says Ms. Wasik, who
sessions with Roderick, he picks up an
can read well by the end of third grade.
just completed a study of volunteer
individualized lesson plan and all the
Tens of thousands have already signed on
reading programs.
materials needed to teach it.
to new tutoring programs associated with
What makes Book Buddies so
Barber signed on three years ago
the president's America Reads Challenge.
effective is that it gives volunteers close
because he hoped that training in the
But, in fact, not much is known about
support and feedback, she says. The
Book Buddies program would help him
how effective volunteer programs are in
program was developed by the University
tutor his own first-grader. He stayed
helping kids learn to read. Few
of Virginia's McGuffey Reading Center
because he loves helping kids make
programs evaluate their own work. And
in Charlottesville. It started small, and
progress. For example, when Roderick
reading experts worry that a surge of
evolved slowly. In the past six years, its
moves from familiar "at" and "ap" sounds
inadequately trained or supervised
volunteers have tutored more than 700
into the new worlds of "ad," he runs into
volunteers into America's classrooms
students in Charlottesville schools.
trouble. He stumbles over "dad," takes a
could do as much harm as good.
A report released this month by the
deep breath and makes a stab: "bad."
"Some incredibly good teachers are
National Research Council says that
"Now take a good look," says Barber,
having trouble teaching kids to learn to
Book Buddies achieved "considerably
gently. "What's that letter?. and that
read by the third grade, so it's not
higher" results than those of other tutorial
one Now say it. You got it. I saw you
surprising that there are a lot of
programs, often at a significantly lower
say it There you go! Good job!"
volunteers out there who are
cost; and that its tutors are comparable to
floundering," says Barbara Wasik,
professionally trained teachers.
Reading specialist Mary Boylin is on
Educators from Washington say that
that so many students didn't know the
site and observes part of the session. She
they are using the Book Buddies model
alphabet," comments Martha Kreiner,
will also see in Barber's report that "ad"
for DC Reads, a volunteer tutoring
who organizes tutors at George
was tough going, so "ad" words will
project launched last fall in 16 city
Washington University. Ms. Kreiner help
feature prominently in the next lesson
schools. Six local colleges and
develop new materials for the school's
plan she develops.
universities mobilized 579 federal
tutors, including phonics flash cards.
It takes at least 15 hours to prepare for
work-study student tutors last fall and
"Our library of reading aids has really
the 30 hours of tutoring she supervises
758 this spring, funded by more than $1
grown, and we're seeing kids grow in
each week at the Burnley-Moran
million in federal work-study grants. In
literacy," says Sanjiv Gajiwala, a
Elementary School. She develops lesson
addition, colleges have kicked in
freshman tutor.
plans and then assembles appropriate
$500,000 in grants and services. They
DC Reads is beginning a
books, games, and phonics cards based
plan to "massively expand" that effort
comprehensive evaluation of the program
on her ongoing diagnosis of what a child
next year.
next month, and the need for better
needs to learn.
But what fell out of the model early on
training and supervision is at the top of
Tutoring sessions are tightly focused:
was an on-site reading specialist. "A
the list of concerns.
10 to 15 minutes for rereading familiar
reading specialist was just too
"There is an opportunity here to make
stories, 10 to 12 minutes for word study,
expensive," says Karen Hallerman of the
a difference," Ms. Invernizzi says, "if
5 to 10 minutes for related writing, and
Corporation for National Service, which
people would wake up and listen to the
10 to 15 minutes to introduce a new
helped organize DC Reads.
research: There are no quick fixes and no
book.
Instead, DC Reads uses AmeriCorps
substitute for knowledge about reading."
"Several programs have tried to copy
VISTA members to supervise college
Send
comments
to:
the Book Buddies model, but omit the
students and other community tutors at
[email protected]
reading specialist because it won't fit the
the schools. But the lack of a reading
Getting Started
budget. That decision undermines the
specialist to solve problems shows up in
* Start small and develop slowly. The
whole program," says Marcia Invernizzi,
the quality of some tutoring sessions.
need is so great in some school districts
who teaches at the the University of
For example, during one session, a
that there may be pressure to get a big
Virginia's Curry School of Education and
community volunteer at the Miner
program off the ground immediately.
helped develop Book Buddies. "Most
Elementary School asked a first-grader to
Take care to set up a system that allows
people have no clue how they learned to
complete the spelling of the word
tutors to get good training and assistance.
read. They just took it for granted. For
"panda." The student's guesses at the final
* Don't skimp on a reading specialist,
kids that have problems learning to read,
vowel included: o, r, d, e, o, u, d, and O.
on site and available to volunteers. The
for whatever reason, it's hard work. And
The tutor followed up each wrong guess
specialist is usually the first to drop out
the tutor has to know exactly what to do,"
with "No," or "How did I tell you to spell
of the plan, once budget constraints kick
she says.
this?" or "Now, what would that make it?
in, but experts say there is no element of
What people don't like to hear is that
pan-dOOO." There was no lack of effort
a volunteer literacy plan that is more
good tutoring is extremely labor
on the part of the student or affection
important.
intensive, she adds. She worries that
from the tutor. But neither had a clue
* Just because you had no trouble
volunteer programs like America Reads
about how to get over that phonetic
learning to read does not mean you can
try to do too much, too fast, with less
hurdle.
teach someone to read. Volunteers need
than adequate training.
"We just weren't prepared for the fact
to understand the principles of language
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
58
instruction, especially phonics. "It's
including: rereading familiar books as a
*
Provide on-site instruction and
difficult to take people cold off the street
warm-up, word study, writing, and
feedback. Don't just use reading experts
and have them do phonetic decoding
introducing new books. Seek out books
as a resource of last resort for tutors.
without some instruction," says Barbara
that teach new sounds sequentially. It's
Often, the tutors most in need of help
Wasik, co-director of the Early Learning
better if a child is tutored by the same
don't realize it. Collect data to measure
Project in Baltimore.
person every week to establish
the effectiveness of your program.
*
Structure tutoring sessions,
consistency.
68. Lancaster New Era
04/27/98Section: NEWS; Page A-3
Classmates nicknamed him 'Satan'
It was a kind of joke, a piece of
"He had a really sick sense of humor,"
people and then commit suicide. But
adolescent gothic, when 14-year-old
said one of Wurst's friends, Triston
neither boy accepted the threats at face
Andrew Wurst's friends nicknamed him
Lucas, 14, who attended James Parker
value.
"Satan."
Middle School with the suspect.
"He would, like, laugh when he said
But the joke took on a bitter irony
Bystanders said Wurst laughed as he
it: "I'm going to go to the dinner dance
Friday when Wurst was charged with
sat in a police cruiser after the shooting.
and kill some people," Lucas said
opening fire at an eighth-grade dinner
Lucas and another friend, Ben Mills,
Saturday. "A typical kid wouldn't have
dance, fatally shooting a teacher and
said that about a month before the
believed him."
injuring three other people.
shooting, Wurst had threatened to kill
Lucas said Wurst also talked of
"devastated."
themselves as among Wurst's closest
suicide.
"This family's devastated," Friedman
friends, said he was unhappy at home and
"He said he had 10 shells," Lucas said.
added. "Their hearts go out to the Gillette
became obsessive over girls.
"He said he was going to kill nine people
family."
"He hated his life. He hated the world.
he hated and then he was going to kill
Mills said he had nicknamed Wurst
He hated school," said Mills as he sat on
himself."
"Satan" about five months ago because
his bicycle on Lucas' front lawn. "The
Neither Mills nor Lucas thought
Wurst was a fan of rocker Marilyn
only thing that would make him happy
Wurst intended to specifically kill the
Manson and his dark music.
was when (a girl he liked) would talk to
teacher, John Gillette.
Classmate Chad Konetsky, 14, said he
him."
Erie lawyer Philip Friedman, who has
noticed that Wurst was becoming
Members of the Wurst family, who
been hired to represent Wurst, said he
increasingly curt and unfriendly with
run a landscaping business, declined to
talked with the boy in Erie County Prison
people during the past few weeks.
comment.
Saturday and described him as
Lucas and Mills, who described
69. Raleigh News & Observer
04/25/98; Edition: Final; Section: News; Page Al
Government to probe Wake for racial bias in special
education
By TODD SILBERMAN
from school systems across the country.
for students diagnosed with behavioral or
STAFF WRITER
"The data indicate that we need to
mild mental handicaps - often the most
Civil rights investigators with the U.S.
look at this particular school system,"
racially skewed - black students account
Department of Education announced
said Rodger Murphey, a spokesman for
for as much as 70 percent of enrollment.
plans Friday to examine Wake schools
the Department of Education in
Murphey stressed that the decision by
for racial discrimination in the placement
Washington, D.C. He said the check was
the Office for Civil Rights to review
of black students in special-education
not prompted by a complaint.
Wake's special-education practices is not
classes.
The agency has conducted about 50
an indication of discrimination by the
Concerns have been raised for years in
similar reviews this school year at other
school system.
North Carolina and elsewhere that black
school systems around the nation. Wake
"We understand the autonomy of a
or other minority students often make up
is the only North Carolina system that
school system in setting policies and
a disproportionate share of programs for
will be examined this year, Murphey
procedures for placing students," he said.
children judged to be disabled, often with
said.
"We want to make sure that the perceived
behavioral or mental impairments.
Black students make up about 26
imbalance is not the result of
The federal agency decided to look
percent of Wake's 89,500 students, but
discrimination or discriminatory effect. If
more closely at Wake schools after a
they represent 42 percent of students in
there's a significant justification for the
routine review of enrollment statistics
all special-education programs. In classes
imbalance, we leave it alone."
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
59
The review, to be conducted during
elsewhere during the 1970s to ensure an
behaviorally or mentally impaired. A
the week of May 10, will include a public
education for handicapped students. But
series of articles found that
meeting May 12 to gather information
some educators worry that too many
special-education students in those
from parents. A team of three or more
students, often with only marginal
categories often came from poor families
investigators will spend several days
problems, end up with stigmatizing labels
and that critics believed the imbalance to
visiting schools and speaking with Wake
in classes with only low rates of success.
be a result of subtle class bias.
educators.
Educators also have been concerned
Since 1993, the percentage of all black
Bill McNeal, associate superintendent
that as the stakes continue to rise on test
students in Wake schools enrolled for
for instruction in the school system, said
performance, regular classroom teachers
three key disabilities often cited for racial
he hopes the review can help bring
may be more inclined to refer problem
imbalances has declined from 13.4
improvement to the county's schools. In
students for special-education classes.
percent to 12.1 percent. The percentage
addition to close scrutiny, McNeal said,
Over the past few years, the Wake
of white students has fallen from 6.9
the agency also can lend expertise.
school system has altered the way it
percent to 6.2 percent.
"If they find there's a way to improve
refers students for special education in an
McNeal said that the change in the
our process, we would be more than
effort to hold down the number of
system's strategy may have affected those
willing to take their technical support,"
students being placed in such classes.
percentages.
McNeal said. "We are always seeking
Some of those changes were made
"We wanted to do everything possible
new ways to improve. If they can help us
after The News & Observer reported in
to keep them in the regular program
do that, we're more than glad to accept
1993 that Wake and Chapel
unless there was a bona fide need to refer
their help."
Hill-Carrboro schools ranked among the
them," he said.
Special-education programs were
highest in the state in the percentage of
added to schools in North Carolina and
blacks in special-education classes for the
In deciding which students to place in
the program."
when school systems recognize that there
special education, the school system does
Enforcement action by the Department
is a disparate impact on minorities in
not rely exclusively on IQ tests - a
of Education stemming from such
special-ed placement, they revise their
diagnostic tool often cited as having a
reviews is rare, Murphey said. If school
criteria."
discriminatory effect.
systems refuse to respond, the agency can
###
"Wake has a multifaceted referral
refer cases to the U.S. Justice Department
Speak out:
process," McNeal said. "There isn't a
for civil litigation. Murphey said he knew
What: Community outreach meeting,
reliance on any one test."
of only one such instance, involving
sponsored by the Office for Civil Rights,
Still, McNeal said, the school system
Denver schools, over alleged
U.S. Department of Education, on the
has had mixed success in promoting such
discrimination against students with
issue of minorities and special education.
efforts among all schools.
limited English proficiency.
Parents will have a chance to share
"It's been more effective in some
Murphey said he knows of no such
concerns and ask questions.
schools than others," he said. "We have
action involving special education.
When: 7 p.m. May 12
to continuously provide training if we're
"We haven't had to take any action,"
Where: St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 402
going to get maximum effectiveness from
he said. "It's been our experience that
W. Edenton St., Raleigh.
70. U.S. News & World Report
04/27/98Section: Culture & Ideas; Page 46
Vouchers for good and ill Do they work?
By Warren Cohen
public schools to improve by giving their
Full up. Even if costs could be
Cleveland's 3,000-student voucher
students the option to leave. But in
brought under control, Cleveland doesn't
program is in its second year, and it is
Cleveland, the program seems more a
have enough private schools to provide
wildly popular: 5,000 students who
form of educational triage than a catalyst
voucher seats for all 77,000 public school
applied couldn't get in. The enthusiasm
for reform. With only 3 percent of
students. Already, 33 of the city's 39
isn't surprising, given that only 16
Cleveland's public school students
Catholic schools-by far the city's largest
percent of ninth graders in Cleveland's
participating, the voucher program hasn't
source of private education-participate
regular public schools pass Ohio's
to date had a reforming effect on the
in the voucher program, and many are'at
proficiency tests, and only 33 percent of
whole system.
or near capacity. Although Cleveland's
the city's students graduate on time.
Yet expanding the voucher program
vouchers are publicly funded, voucher
Voucher schools tend to be smaller and
significantly would be hard, in part
schools can select their students and need
safer than the public schools; 60 percent
because it's proved far more costly than
not accommodate all comers. The private
of voucher students attend Catholic
expected. The law requires Cleveland to
school with the most voucher students,
schools, which have a reputation for
transport voucher students to private
Hope Central Academy, offers no
strong academics.
schools, but the city was short on buses
services for learning-disabled students.
Yet in other ways the pilot program,
and drivers, so a third of students took
Meanwhile, the fact that a majority of the
advanced as a market-based remedy for
taxis-at a yearly cost of $1,300 per
city's voucher schools include religion in
public school ills, falls short of its
student, nearly as much as the vouchers
the school day has triggered lawsuits
promises. In theory, vouchers encourage
themselves.
challenging
the
program's
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
60
constitutionality.
public schools do. A recent independent
progressed at the same pace in core
Perhaps of biggest concern, there is as
study of the city's public and parochial
subjects as did public school students.
yet no evidence that Cleveland's voucher
voucher-school students found that third
schools educate kids any better than
graders in voucher schools last year
71. Newport Daily Press
04/27/98
Virginia's College of William and Mary Raises
Out-of-State, Graduate Tuition
By Deborah Straszheim World Reporter
The board opted not to increase tuition
row. However, all students will see an
WILLIAMSBURG, Va.-Apr. 25-The
for out-of-state graduate students in two
increase in student fees, to pay off the
College of William and Mary Board of
schools - law and business - citing
debt incurred to refurbish dormitories
Visitors raised tuition Friday for
concerns the college would lose
and support additional technology and
out-of-state undergraduates and many
prospective students to competitors.
computer training on campus.
graduate students. The hike will affect 40
In-state tuition for undergraduate
percent of the student body.
students was frozen for the third year in a
Under the approved changes, in-state
academic budget for the college, up from
than it can accept.
undergraduates will pay $9,914 in tuition
$75.8 million this year. The academic
But Cell said a tuition increase could
and fees next year, $296 more than the
budget includes costs for instruction like
aggravate the downward trend which
present cost of $9,618. Out-of-state
faculty pay, library staff salaries and
exists in new applications.
undergraduates, by comparison, will pay
technology.
Jones said later that competitors like
$20,874 in tuition and fees next year,
Students helped lobby in Richmond
Wake Forest University and Washington
$884 more than the cost this year of
for state money to pay for the salary
and Lee University offered more
$19,990.
increase, which is part of the budget for
attractive financial aid packages to
The tuition changes were needed to
the coming fiscal year, which begins July
students even though their "sticker price"
help pay for a 9.4 percent in faculty
1.
for tuition and fees looks comparable.
salaries over the next two years. Faculty
College President Timothy Sullivan
"If you go to two car dealerships and
at William and Mary earn an average of
said the college is sensitive to the impact
they both have the same sticker price, but
$61,300, placing their pay well below
of tuition increases. The state policy that
one offers to give you $1 dollar back and
their peers, said Samuel Jones, vice
forbids increasing in-state undergraduate
the other offers to give you $2 back, who
president for the college office of
tuition is helpful to students but does not
are you going to buy the car from?" he
management and budget.
allow for much flexibility, he said.
asked.
Rhian Horgan, president of the student
"This policy distorts a lot of the
But he said that also assumes the cars
assembly, said she thinks most students
decisions that we have to make," he said.
are equal, which depends on what the
understand why the board increased
Sometime in the next couple of years,
student is looking for.
tuition.
Sullivan said, "We are really going to
The burden on students has been
"I think they didn't have much
have to determine whether there is a need
intensified by the other changes in
choice," said Horgan, a student from
to take a serious look at whether
financial aid, said Samuel Sadler, vice
Colorado. "Tuition's been rising every
adjustments need to be made."
president for student affairs. Federal
year, and my parents haven't been too
In two cases, the college did not raise
policy has shifted from supplying
frustrated.
tuition for out-of-state graduate students
students with grants and gifts to offering
"But now that we've gone over
because it was concerned about losing
them loans, he said.
$20,000, I think that will make a big
students to colleges with better overall
-
difference to people," she said.
financial packages.
Visit Digital City Hampton Roads, the
Horgan has three younger sisters who
Gillian Cell, W&M provost, said law
World Wide Web site of the Daily Press,
will be attending college in coming years,
schools across the nation are seeing a
Newport
News,
Va.,
at
she said.
drop in applicants, which is also
http://hamptonroads.digitalcity.com/
Both tuition and faculty pay hikes
happening at William and Mary. The law
were approved as part of an $80.9 million
school still has many more applicants
72. The Pueblo Chieftain
04/27/98
Colorado Lawmakers Turn Attention to School Funding
By Tom McAvoy World Reporter (TM)
lawmakers will turn their energies next to
the school bill, HB1234 by Rep. Debbie
DENVER-Apr. 27-In the wake of
the $3.3 billion school finance bill.
Allen, R-Aurora, and Sen. Jeff Wells,
this week's final passage of the state's
The House is expected to reject Senate
R-Colorado Springs.
$10.9 billion budget, Colorado
amendments that added $15 million to
At that point, the House and Senate
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
61
each will name three members to a
Education to monitor.
life by printing a score he made two years
conference committee to negotiate a
The department may - but wouldn't
before graduation," Schroeder said.
compromise.
have to - revoke accreditation if a
"It's like a scarlet letter, depriving
One of the questions is whether Allen
district fails to achieve stated goals.
someone of opportunities in the future.
will get $3.9 million for her other bill,
Allen's co-sponsor, Sen. Ben
All of us have had problems with tests."
HB1267, to tie student standardized test
Alexander, R-Montrose, ran into trouble
The Allen-Alexander accreditation bill
scores to school district accreditation.
Friday trying to amend the bill to stamp
will be voted on in the Senate next week.
Allen, who chairs the House
high school graduates' 10th-grade
In the meantime, school lobbyists
Education Committee, has support for
reading, writing and math scores on their
have intensified their demand that the
standards-based accreditation from State
diplomas.
Senate's extra school finance money go
Education Commissioner William
"We're raising the bar because we're
into raising the House's 3 percent
Moloney.
graduating kids right now who don't have
inflation per pupil in all 176 school
Raw standards and assessment scores
10th-grade skills," Alexander said. "The
districts in the state.
aren't the key factor in Allen's bill,
idea is to show these kids they need to
Wells, the Senate majority leader,
however.
work hard and score well on these tests."
countered with funding-formula
HB1267 starts by requiring each of
Sen. Bill Schroeder, R-Morrison,
adjustments that would boost some 30
Colorado's 176 school districts to
strongly objected to printing 10th-grade
midsized school districts from Fort
establish performance-improvement goals
scores on 12th-grade diplomas.
Collins to Pueblo to a modest degree.
for Moloney's state Department of
"I don't think we should scar a kid for
Subject to conference committee
appropriation to $28.1 million.
Gigi Dennis' district.
changes, HB1234 currently provides a
Also hanging in the balance are Senate
-
$3.8 million increase to bring Pueblo
amendments that would give $1.4 million
Visit The Pueblo Chieftain Online at
District 60 to a total school finance
to small attendance centers, mostly in
http://www.chieftain.com/
appropriation of $81.3 million.
Lamar Rep. Brad Young's eastern plains
-
Pueblo County District 70 would get a
district, and $157,000 to Moffat in the
$2.7 million increase, bringing its total
San Luis Valley part of Pueblo West Sen.
73. Indian Country Today
04/27/98
South Dakota School Principal Offends Some American
Indian Workers
By Jean Roach City
work, I'm gonna discuss my concerns
Losing the Indian employees "hurts the
S.D World Reporter (TM)
with them, it doesn't matter if they are
children a great deal," he said, referring
RAPID CITY, S.D.-Learning in a safe
Native American, white, Asian or black."
to them as role models.
environment is the goal of every school
Ms. Roth said.
He's experienced personal problems
system, but when a school official scowls
Ms. Burnette said she was yelled at
with Ms. Roth and has noticed the
at employees, is this productive to the
two times by Ms. Roth and claims she
turnover of employees at the school. "She
school and students?
wouldn't let her do her job. "On two
(Ms Roth) is not open-minded and does
Janice Burnette, a Lakota educator for
occasions with total disregard of
things in a sneaky way." Mr. Randall said
14 years, alleges she was belittled in front
professional protocol (she) pointed her
he was "tickled" when Ms. Burnette
of children and staff by Knollwood
finger in my face, berated and belittled
started teaching at Knollwood School
Principal Susan Roth. She's allegedly not
me in a manner showing complete
because "she's from his hometown" and
the only one who has left the school
disrespect of me as an individual and an
he was excited with the possibility of her
because of the principal's behavior; at
employee," Ms. Burnette stated in a
teaching his children. He said he was
least two other American Indian
letter.
"mad" when he found out why Ms.
educators have moved on.
"I felt very intimidated, frustrated and
Burnette left.
Other people have noticed the racial
embarrassed. I felt my job was dangled in
Mr. Randall, who frequents the school
tension. Some people blame the
my face. I turned and walked away and
on a regular basis, and is a PTA member,
revolving door of principals at the
began crying." As a result of this
said the principal gave him a "hard time"
school, and others trace the problem to
treatment, Ms. Burnette has resigned her
when he solicited two new bicycles for a
the principal.
position.
raffle. Mr. Randall needed a letter from
At Knollwood School, the population
Ms. Roth said to her knowledge she's
the office to give to the donor of the
of American Indian children accounts for
never yelled at anyone. She added that
bicycles and the principal refused to help
more than half of the students.
sometimes her daughter claims she's
him.
Principal Roth said it's not a race
being yelled at by her, but admits she
Child Services Facilitator Ann Many
issue, but there are personnel issues that
does have a "firm voice."
Birds said "in four years we've had four
are confidential. Ms. Roth said her
Parent James Randall is concerned
principals," and that she's never
expectations are reasonable and it doesn't
about the environment at the school. As a
experienced any problems with Ms. Roth.
matter what race a person is, "for
parent, he's felt unwelcome and "feels
"We've been able to work at our
example, if they miss twenty days of
like he's stepping on toes at the school."
relationship and she's open to learn."
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62
Regarding the turnover of principals, Ms.
(Ms. Roth) sized me up and the look was
Knollwood," referring to "Indian children
Many Birds questioned why "an Indian
so negative," said Ms. Red Elk.
and their learning capacity."
principal or someone who understands
"Immediately, she wanted to do things
An American Indian employee who
the culture" isn't assigned to the position.
her way. We all knew the way she wanted
was also yelled at by Ms. Roth in front of
Dolly Red Elk, a tutor, said she felt
to do the testing was wrong, but she
children, called the treatment,
bad vibes immediately and asked her
wouldn't listen to our suggestions."
"intimidation" and accused the principal
boss to move her. Ms. Red Elk worked at
Three other staff members who are
of "stalking" her at school.
Knollwood School for 12 years as a
still working for the public school system
second-grade tutor. Ms. Red Elk cited
wanted to make anonymous comments
Visit Indian Country Today on the
"disrespect" as the reason she left and
because they felt they would be singled
World
Wide
Web
at
never returned after meeting with the
out if they went public. A non-Indian
http://www.indiancountry.com/
principal one day.
employee said she's noticed that
"When she walked into the room she
"negative stereotypes are predominant at
74. Los Angeles Times
* 04/28/98; Edition: Home Edition; Section: Metro; Metro Desk; Page B-8
School Office for Instruction Is Reorganized
By DOUG SMITH
Deputy Supt. Liliam Castillo said the
overcrowding. Haynes Street School in
TIMES EDUCATION WRITER
cluster administrators, whose duties have
Canoga Park is scheduled to begin
The Los Angeles Board of Education
previously been largely operational, will
receiving students in the fall; Newcastle
on Monday approved a reorganization of
focus entirely on instruction in an effort
Avenue School in Reseda at the start of
the school district's office of instruction
to raise test scores.
the 1999-2000 school year. Osage
and the appointment of four district
Castillo said the four new
Avenue School in Westchester is
employees to new superintendent
superintendents successfully competed
scheduled to reopen as a magnet school
positions, moves officials promised
for their jobs against 21 outside
during the 1999-2000 school year.
would help boost test scores.
candidates.
Unanimously approved the
Effective immediately, Carmen N.
Board member David Tokofsky, the
appointment of 18 members to an
Schroeder, acting head of instructional
sole dissenter in the closed-session vote,
accountability task force charged with
services for eight months, will become
described the new structure as a
searching the nation for ideas on how to
associate superintendent overseeing
"multi-headed hydra" and criticized the
hold district officials at all levels
instruction. Schroeder will be assisted by
selection of only insiders.
responsible for improving student
Andrew A. Cazares, Renee Jackson and
He said that one person should be
performance. The appointees include
John Liechty, who will become assistant
responsible for instruction and that it
parents, PTA representatives and experts
superintendents July 1.
diffused responsibility to have three
from academia and business. The
In the new organization, the three
people reporting to Schroeder.
committee is to report by the end of
assistant superintendents will each
In other action, the board:
July.
oversee a third of the district's 27 cluster
*
Voted to reopen three closed
administrators.
elementary schools to relieve
75. Los Angeles Times
*
04/28/98; Edition: Valley Edition; Section: Metro; Zones Desk; Page B-1
Having Devil of a Time Breaking With Tradition
Few students participate in voting at Birmingham High, and some who do
simply write in 'Braves,' which has been banned by the school district.
By VANESSA HUA
Breakers and Patriots, and instead
symbol-which Native American groups
TIMES STAFF WRITER
penciled in the forbidden mascot.
had argued perpetuated a stereotype-the
VAN NUYS - In an apparent show
"I don't like any of the choices," said
Van Nuys school has been polling staff,
of defiance against a court order to
Geri Hirsch, 14, of Tarzana. "We should
parents and students throughout the
change the name of their school team,
stay with the Braves."
month and is expected to reach a decision
only 500 of 3,000 Birmingham High
Even the proposed new names seem to
Wednesday.
School students cast ballots during two
be engendering a measure of controversy,
It is the last to do so of four Southern
days of voting that ended Monday.
with some Christians objecting to the
California high schools ordered to change
And, of those who did vote in the
term "devil."
their team names. Last week, Gardena
unusual campus election, many rejected
Ordered by a federal court judge to
High School retired the Mohican and
the options of Blue Devils, Buccaneers,
change its 45-year-old Native American
welcomed the Panther. Wilmington
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
63
Middle School went from Warrior to
make sure everyone felt involved in the
Many students said Monday that they
Jaguar in March, and University High
process.
were displeased with the choices offered
School replaced its own Warrior with the
Birmingham alumni especially had
on the ballot, which were winnowed out
Wildcat in February.
rallied around the old mascot, modeled
of an earlier vote. A committee composed
"They're dragging their feet," said
after Pontiac from the Ottawa tribe
of students, a parent and a teacher wrote
Eugene Herrod of Advocates for
in Michigan, challenging the district's
up descriptions, which were read over the
American Indian Children, one of the
Sept. 8 ban on Native American mascots
public announcement system Friday and
groups that lobbied for the ban. "The
in schools. Supporters waged a lawsuit
Monday before the lunch-hour balloting.
district gave them a whole year to
against the district, claiming that the
Another committee is expected to pick
change."
policy violated their rights to free speech.
the team name based on the advisory
But school officials, faced with a
But in early April, a federal judge
votes of students, parents and school
fierce backlash on the campus and among
ruled in favor of the district and set in
employees.
alumni, said they needed the time to
motion the series of votes.
Students were told that "Blue Devils"
after so many years?"
Like other students, Cabral wanted the
was the nickname given to dashing
Others thought the $174,000 allotted
alliteration of a mascot whose name
French forces during World War I, who
from Los Angeles Unified School District
began with the same letter as
were known for their dark blue berets and
general funds could be spent more
Birmingham High. "B and b go together,"
capes. The "Breakers' are a "beautiful
productively on books or other
she said.
giant wave" with "the potential to be
equipment.
Cheerleader Erin Wilson, 17, was
unpredictably violent." A "Buccaneer"
"We should keep the mascot and save
more pragmatic than poetic. "It's easier to
was part of group of wandering pirates
the money. It's a waste," said Hasan
change the cheers."
who harassed the Spanish colonies." And
Zaidi, 14, of Van Nuys, who voted for
The hardest change may be to the
a "Patriot" harks back to the school's past
Blue Devils.
school's property, which is emblazoned
role as an Army hospital.
An impromptu exit poll showed Blue
liberally with the tanned, beak-nosed and
In a not-so-secret vote, students
Devils and Breakers leading over
be-feathered head of Chief Pontiac. The
Monday chattered around the wooden
Buccaneers and Patriots. But more than a
deadline for selecting the new mascot is
ballot box set up in the Oral Arts room.
dozen parents have called to protest the
the end of the semester, in June, but the
"Why'd you vote for that one?" exclaimed
Blue Devil mascot, which they say goes
district granted more time to the school
one teenager, peering over his friend's
against the Christian God, school
for its renovations.
shoulder. Four lines of voters cleared out
officials said.
"We know they can't do it all over the
after 15 minutes.
"My mom told me that she didn't want
summer," said Asst. Superintendent
Sirinya Tritipeskul, 16, of Van Nuys,
me to be associated with the devil," said
Angie Stockwell. "They have to paint
found the debate "ridiculous," and
Suzanne Cabral, 17, of Reseda, who cast
over everything: the gym, the drums, the
defiantly scrawled in "Braves" on her
her ballot anyway for the Blue Devil in
walls.'
ballot. "Why are we changing the mascot
youthful rebellion.
76. Los Angeles Times
* 04/28/98; Edition: Ventura County Edition; Section: Metro; Zones Desk; Page B-1
Tax-Free Education Accounts Met With Hope and
Concern
By JOEL P. ENGARDIO
In Ventura County, opinions are
Since parents who want to keep their
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
likewise divided.
kids in public school can still use the
THOUSAND OAKS - A plan
Hal Vick, a teachers union leader, said
savings accounts to augment their child's
approved by Congress to offer families a
he considers the savings plan "a fancy
education with tutors or home computers,
tax break for certain educational expenses
way to repackage vouchers," a term for
Walker said, he believes the proposal
is seen as a welcome relief to some in
direct subsidies of private school tuition
would not improperly favor private
Ventura County. But others view the
that have been rejected in the past.
schools. And if the tax incentive puts
proposal as a threat to public schools.
"The big question is if the tax break is
more kids in private schools, it can only
The bill would let parents put away up
in addition to, or in lieu of, federal
help the public system, he said.
to $2,000 per year in a tax-free savings
money going to education," said Vick,
"I want our public schools
account to cover education-related
executive director of the Unified Assn. of
strengthened, and I don't believe the
expenses such as private-school tuition,
Conejo Teachers. "My concern is that
government can do that without the
tutoring or a home computer.
this is another excuse to cut back on
stimulation of competition," Walker said.
Approved in the House and Senate,
education funding."
"I was a proponent of vouchers. Anything
where some legislators described it as a
Norman Walker, who sits on Simi
that gives parents choice is going to help
boost for families, the bill faces a veto
Valley's public school board and runs a
public education. We shouldn't be afraid
from President Clinton, who says it
private Christian school, doesn't see it
to compete."
would give help to those who need it
that way.
Charles Weis, superintendent of
least.
Ventura County public schools, said he is
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
64
not against the idea, but wondered if it
parochial institutions.
ages of 2 and 5. "Especially if you live an
would really benefit everyone.
"Any time we fund education, that's a
area where the public schools are not
"The upside is it enables kids to get
good thing," Weis said. "But this is
good. It gives an incentive to put your
more educational support, if their parents
certainly not a solution to what education
kids in a private school."
can afford it," Weis said. "The downside
needs."
Dahlke said she likes her public
is children of poor families will be left
Parents picking up their children at the
school system and would use the savings
out. You've got to make the money
public Westlake Hills elementary school
account for private foreign language
before you can get the tax break."
Monday had mixed reactions to the
lessons for her children.
Weis also said the program is "just
savings account plan.
shy" of a voucher-type system that uses
"I think it's great," said Jennifer
federal funds to subsidize private and
Dahlke, a mother of three between the
Alan Greenbaum, father of five
he finds fault with the notion that the
Walker, the public school board
children ranging from 10 to 18, said he
savings plan would help public school
member who also runs a private school,
was against the plan.
parents buy computers for the home
said it is a matter of choice.
"We ought to focus our effort on
when many schools lack their own
"It's good to let the parents decide
upgrading the public schools rather than
computers.
where and what to spend on their
promoting private ones," he said. "This is
"There's no harm in giving parents the
children's education," Walker said.
like saying, 'Here's some money to find
chance to buy a tax-free computer, but
"These federal debates are about big
your own school so we don't have to
this is an example of the government
money and power. But kids get lost in all
sweat it out worrying about fixing the
cutting back on education expenditures,"
of that. Regardless of the liberal or
public schools.' It's not an easy task, but
he said. "If there are not enough
conservative agenda, what matters most
the public schools are absolutely worth
computers to go around in the schools,
is being able to educate our kids."
saving."
why would the government set up a
Vick, the teachers union leader, said
program to subsidize them at home?"
77. The Washington Post
04/28/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: Metro; Page D01
D.C. May Boost Education Funding
$121 Million Increase Would Support Wide-Ranging New Academic
Program
By David A. Vise
this year.
tuition, transportation and other costs at
Washington Post Staff Writer
After allowing D.C. Chief
private schools because the city lacks a
District officials are considering
Management Officer Camille C. Barnett
sound special education program.
seriously a $121 million boost in funding
to run several earlier budget sessions,
Barry blamed aggressive lawyers in
for the city's public schools next year, a
financial control board Chairman Andrew
the District for convincing parents that if
dramatic increase of more than 25
F. Brimmer took charge yesterday,
their children can be classified as having
percent that would support an ambitious
directing the lengthy meeting and arguing
special needs, the city will pay their
new academic program and spiraling
that the city's public schools need the
tuition at private schools. He said that
special education costs. The funding
increase so that Arlene Ackerman, who
more than 2,000 students are waiting to
increase could be preceded by the
will take over as superintendent of D.C.
be tested and that the cost of special
dismissal of numerous school personnel,
public schools later this week, can
education will skyrocket next year. The
including some librarians, guidance
implement a wide-ranging new academic
city already has thousands of students in
counselors, custodians and administrative
program.
special programs.
staff members, city officials said.
"No one wants to throw good money
"Lawyers are taking advantage of this
Mayor Marion Barry, D.C. Council
after bad, and everybody is concerned
program," Barry said. "Until we get a
members and D.C. financial control
about the lack of performance," control
better assessment process of our own and
board members met behind closed doors
board member Joyce A. Ladner said.
develop [special education] programs
for about six hours yesterday debating the
"But this doesn't negate the fact that we
within the school system, we are going to
proposal, which is aimed at shifting more
still have to build a first-class school
be stuck with this."
resources directly to classrooms. The
system.
If we are going to reform the
Ladner agreed that the program can be
move, which has the control board's
schools, we have to put in the appropriate
managed effectively only by developing
support, would increase the school
programs and systems."
more capacity within the D.C. public
system's budget from an initial $460
Barry (D), who supports the funding
schools to teach special education
million this year to about $581 million
increase, said the biggest budget problem
students. "To provide for children with
next year. But the proposal was
is rapidly escalating special education
special needs, we are going to have to not
challenged by some officials, who
costs. He said the District, which is under
just invest but plan for how to educate
questioned whether the system can spend
court order to test and place students with
them," she said.
the additional funds effectively, given its
special needs, is spending more than
In addition to special education
weak internal controls and overspending
$40,000 a pupil in some cases to pay
programs, Ackerman says, additional
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
65
funding is needed to hire strong new
the city's pre-kindergarten program.
Ladner said Ackerman has identified
teachers and expand remedial and
Ladner said there was no chance the
about 60 people assigned to schools who
summer school programs. However, she
pre-kindergarten program would be cut
do not show up on the school system's
has acknowledged that certain trade-offs
because it is wise to invest in educating
central payroll system. But she said
are necessary. As a result, she is asking
young children. She said the control
Ackerman demonstrated convincingly
some elementary school principals to
board had directed Ackerman to put
that the system's central office staff is not
review whether they need both guidance
forward a wide array of possible
bloated. Instead, Ladner said, school bus
counselors and librarians, and she put
money-saving options, and that in
drivers, custodians and others who do not
forward numerous possible ways of
suggesting the elimination of
have desk jobs previously had been
cutting costs during yesterday's budget
pre-kindergarten, Ackerman merely was
included in the central office count.
session, including possibly eliminating
responding to that request.
Both Barry and Ladner praised
the mistake the control board made in
program. He also took credit for getting
Ackerman's budget and academic
[hiring] General Becton. But the kids
an additional $640,000 in the budget for
presentation yesterday and said they had
shouldn't suffer for the control board's
adult education at the University of the
growing confidence in her performance
mistake."
District of Columbia but said he was
and plans. They said the substantial
The mayor said it was highly unlikely
unable to persuade the others to restore
increases in the school budget would
that the city can afford a $20 million tax
funding for a program to help the poor
wipe out most of the projected city
cut that had been proposed for businesses
pay rent.
budget surplus for fiscal 1999, which
and individuals. But there may be some
In other schools news yesterday, Del.
once exceeded $100 million. Barry said
small tax relief: Control board Vice
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and
the city still is trying to achieve a $30
Chairman Stephen D. Harlan strongly
four members of the elected D.C. school
million surplus next year that could be
urged elimination of a tax that people
board spoke out against a Republican
used to reduce a multi-year shortfall
who move to the city must pay on cars
plan that would give about 2,000 poor
created by years of overspending.
newly registered in the District. Ladner
District parents as much as $3,200 a
Barry blamed the presidentially
said Harlan's proposal, which would cost
student to pay private school tuition. At a
appointed control board for allowing the
the city about $1 million, would make the
Capitol Hill news conference, they said
school system's financial problems -
District more attractive to new residents,
all the focus must be on strengthening the
which developed under Chief Executive
and Barry said he supportsthe idea.
city's public schools, and Norton
Officer Julius W. Becton Jr. and an
Barry said he was pleased that the
criticized Republicans for pressing
appointed school board - to overwhelm
preliminary 1999 budget includes about
forward with a vote and raising false
the city's carefully constructed budget.
$2 million for his popular youth summer
hopes despite a certain presidential veto.
"Lack of democracy is costing us
jobs program. enough money to support
"They are using District residents,"
money, not saving us money," Barry said.
several thousand jobs. Last year, the city
Norton said.
"We are now paying a healthy price for
budget included no local funds for the
78. The Washington Post
04/28/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: Metro; Page D03
Plan for Nine Schools Seeks to Avert Takeover
Pr. George's Targets Class Size, Parents
By DeNeen L. Brown and Amy
system longer.
and community outreach.
Argetsinger
TD The nine schools were identified in
Prince George's officials will be
Washington Post Staff Writers
January as among the poorest-performing
required to submit more detailed,
Prince George's County school officials
schools in the state and were targeted as
school-by-school plans and reports later
aim to significantly improve the academic
eligible for state takeover, or
this spring and again during the fall and
performance of nine schools in danger of
"reconstitution," should local officials
next spring - a period state officials
state takeover by reducing class sizes,
fail to improve them.
consider a crucial "transition year" for the
increasing parental involvement,
The Maryland State Board of
struggling schools.
providing adequate textbooks and making
Education will vote today on whether to
Peiffer said state officials believe it
sure students spend more time learning
approve the county's plan for turning
will take about five years to turn around a
free from distractions.
around the schools. County officials
school. However, the state board has not
The school system's proposal, which
already have consulted with State
yet set up a definite timetable for doing
was sent to Prince George's school board
Department of Education officials over
so. Eventually, if the schools do not
members yesterday, says that in order for
drafts of the proposal, and state officials
improve, the state could turn their
the nine schools to get better, teachers
say the board is likely to support the
operation over to a university or a private
must be better trained, student and
county's efforts to date.
education company. If all else fails, the
teacher attendance must improve,
"We have a good sense of how they're
state ultimately could close the schools.
students must be taught higher thinking
taking on a very ambitious
Although 50 Baltimore public schools,
skills, and the school system must find
reorganization," said Ron Peiffer,
one Anne Arundel County school and
ways to keep classroom teachers in the
assistant state superintendent for school
one Somerset County school have been
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
66
listed as eligible for reconstitution, no
performance declined slightly on the
was next to last in the state, after
school has actually been taken over by
Maryland
School
Performance
Baltimore.
Maryland since the State Department of
Assessment Program, an evaluation
The nine schools on a warning list are
Education began using its power to target
system that relies on a variety of
Beacon Heights, Lyndon Hill, Overlook
failing schools four years ago.
indicators to judge schools, including
and Seabrook elementary schools; and
"We want to intervene early if we feel
tests administered to third-, fifth- and
Charles Carroll, G. Gardner Shugart,
things are deteriorating quickly," Peiffer
eighth-grade students. In 1997, 29.2
Nicholas Orem, Stephen Decatur and
said, "and we want to give them more
percent of public school students in
Thurgood Marshall middle schools.
time if there's reason to have hope."
Prince George's scored "satisfactory" or
Last year, the county's overall
better on the tests. The county's showing
79. The New York Times
04/28/98Section: Metropolitan Desk; Section B; Page 14, Column 1
Hempstead School District Is Failing Its Students,
Group Asserts
By BRUCE LAMBERT
enrichment and remedial classes,
when compared with those of
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., April 27 - Since
improving training for teachers and
neighboring districts whether they were
1991, Hempstead High School has
administrators, and allowing parents to
wealthy like Garden City, middle class
averaged 194 graduates a year, but
oversee the changes.
like Baldwin or working class like
typically only 11 have qualified for a
Hempstead's superintendent of schools
Uniondale, the group said. For example,
Regents diploma, given to students who
and school board president were not
while Hempstead awarded Regents
pass advanced state tests. That is one of
available for comment at their offices,
diplomas to 6 percent of its graduates last
many troubling statistics issued by a
their aides said. A telephone message left
year, the comparable numbers were 22
community group today as it charged that
at the board president's home was not
percent in Uniondale, 58 percent in
the Hempstead school district was failing.
returned.
Baldwin and 76 percent in Garden City.
"We're going into the year 2000, and
For several years, the State Education
The group did not have Hempstead's
our kids are not going to be ready," said
Department placed Hempstead High on
per-pupil spending figures, but several
one parent, Michele Embry. She spoke at
its list of the 100 worst schools because
members said other districts spend less
a news conference held in Village Hall by
of deficiencies in 11th-grade mathematics
on students and achieve better
the Long Island chapter of the
test scores, but the school made
educational results.
Association of Community Organizations
improvements and got off that list in
The Village of Hempstead has
for Reform, a national group.
December.
undergone socioeconomic changes, but
The group called on Hempstead
The group said Hempstead's problems
the report said they do not account for the
school officials to begin a concerted
start to show in the lower grades, where
poor academic performance. When
effort to improve the education of its
many students perform below statewide
compared with similar school districts,
6,000 students, especially now that the
norms. In Hempstead's elementary
Hempstead still lags, the report said. In
state is phasing in Regents tests for all
schools, for example, 33 percent to 60
eight Regents exams given last year,
graduates. One parent, Burbeth Smikle,
percent of third graders were not reading
students at similar schools were three to
said the group is setting high
at grade level last year, the report said.
six times more likely to pass their tests
expectations for school officials and
The group said its statistics were taken
than were Hempstead's students.
students
alike.
The
group's
from official records.
recommendations
include
adding
Hempstead's scores also ranked low
80. The New York Times
04/28/98Section: Metropolitan Desk; Section B; Page 1, Column 2
Divorced Husband Makes Her Unfit, Priest Says
By JOSEPH BERGER
a fifth grade teacher at St. Columbanus
Church. Some priests might have looked
CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y., April 21
School here is in peril and she is
the other way, but Msgr. Patrick J.
- One year ago, Jeanne Hearty gave the
entangled in a harsh confrontation with
Keenan, 62, pastor of St. Columbanus
Roman Catholic school where she
the school director and the Archdiocese
Church and the director of the parish
teaches the kind of news that normally
of New York.
school, decided her marriage violated
brings a shower of good wishes. She was
The reason is that Ms. Hearty, a
Catholic teachings and rendered her unfit
to be married.
36-year-old Catholic, married a divorced
to teach. He did say, however, that he
But for Ms. Hearty the disclosure has
Episcopalian who had not had a previous
might reconsider if her husband applied
brought an abiding nightmare. Her job as
marriage annulled by the Catholic
for an annulment and received assurances
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
67
that the application was likely to succeed.
come their way, they can reflect back,
of the 25 families with children in Ms.
"My not taking action would send out
and this reflecting back may not be only
Hearty's class signed a four-page letter
confusing signals both to students and
in regard to marriage but other immoral
that said the marriage was a "matter in
their families," Monsignor Keenan wrote
behavior."
her private life which has absolutely no
to Ms. Hearty last September when he
The monsignor's decision to dismiss
relevance to her relationship to the
asked her to resign. "The students may
Ms. Hearty at the end of this school year
children or her demonstrated success in
not be adversely affected by your actions
has provoked parents of the Westchester
educating them."
now, but later on in life, when difficulties
school as no other issue in years. Sixteen
It called the monsignor's action
"The important issue," he said, "is
and last year the eighth grade class
"divisive, polarizing and destructive to
when the personal life of the employee
dedicated its yearbook to her.
our concept of community" and said it
causes public scandal, particularly when
Ms. Hearty has declined to talk to
would embarrass non-Catholic children
it's blatantly against the teaching of the
reporters, explaining through relatives
or children of divorce.
church, because they're role models."
that she is under orders from the
But some parents have rallied behind
The Rev. Richard P. McBrien, a
monsignor to keep the incident quiet lest
the pastor, arguing that Ms. Hearty would
theologian at the University of Notre
it create a public scandal. Her older
set a bad example for their children.
Dame, said, "It is something that is
sister, Ms. Beaumont, has been providing
"It's a Catholic school, and the teacher
happening with greater frequency in
details of her case and describes Ms.
should be Catholic," said Sarah
dioceses where the bishops are
Hearty as deeply distressed.
Whittaker, acting president of the parents'
conservative."
"That job is her calling," Ms.
association. "If you don't have your
Ms. Hearty's case has touched a nerve
Beaumont said. "She is supposed to be a
sacraments, you're not considered a
at St. Columbanus because several
teacher."
Catholic. Marriage is one of the
children there are products of marriages
Monsignor Keenan, too, has been
sacraments."
between Catholics and non-Catholics and
unwilling to talk, saying only, "I hope it
The conflict is an example of the
marriages in which a spouse divorced,
dies on the vine." But his views are
problems of the church in recent decades,
then remarried outside the church. Joshua
apparent from his correspondence to Ms.
as more traditional priests confront a laity
Leibowitz, a Jewish parent, wrote a letter
Hearty, copies of which were made
educated in the liberalized atmosphere
to Monsignor Keenan, noting that his
available by Ms. Beaumont.
following the Second Vatican Council of
wife was Catholic and their child, a
St. Columbanus, named after an
the 1960's and that takes a more relaxed
student in Ms. Hearty's class, was being
austere sixth century Irish monk, is a
attitude toward such doctrinal matters as
raised Catholic.
brick school set in Cortlandt, a mix of
abortion and birth control.
"Are my wife and I immoral because
suburbs and country. It draws its 301
In recent years, Catholic schools have
of our different religions?" asked Mr.
students from adjacent Peekskill as well
increasingly enrolled many non-Catholic
Leibowitz, 38, a real estate manager.
as Cortlandt. Twenty-two students are
children, particularly in inner-city
There is a slim possibility that the
Protestant or Jewish.
neighborhoods, where they provide a
conflict may be resolved. On April 7, Ms.
Ms. Hearty, a product of Catholic
modestly priced alternative to public
Hearty's husband, Terry Barber, filed
elementary schools, joined St.
schools while stressing discipline as well
papers seeking an annulment with a
Columbanus five years ago. In the winter
as morals. Some have a few
church tribunal in Poughkeepsie. Norine
of 1995-96, Ms. Hearty met Mr. Barber,
non-Catholics on their faculties. But all
Beaumont, Ms. Hearty's sister, said Ms.
51, a computer consultant, as he pushed a
dioceses require Catholic teachers to
Hearty was told by Monsignor Keenan
snowblower over his parents' driveway
follow Catholic teachings.
that "it was too late" and that she would
across the street from her own home in
Last year, Christine O'Keefe, a sixth
be dismissed on June 26.
Dutchess County. They fell in love, but
grade teacher in the Archdiocese of
Nevertheless, Joseph Zwilling, a
realized they faced obstacles to a
Boston, was dismissed for marrying a
spokesman for the archdiocese, whose
Catholic marriage.
divorced Catholic who had not received
293 schools educate 103,000 students in
Mr. Barber was an Episcopalian, a
an annulment.
Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and
matter that could have been resolved with
"She made it very well known among
seven counties north of the city, said
a church dispensation. But he had also
pupils and the community down there
today that Monsignor Keenan "is
been married for 20 years, to a Catholic.
and created a painful situation for us,"
continuing to try to work with her and
That marriage had produced no children
said John B. Walsh, a spokesman for the
her husband to see if there's a way to
and ended in divorce. Catholic teachings
archdiocese. "Teachers at a Catholic
reach a point that this situation can be
have no provisions for divorce, holding
school must be Catholics in good
resolved in a pastoral way."
that marriage is for life, but a church
standing."
One Catholic official, who spoke on
tribunal can annul the marriage on the
That diocese is headed by Bernard
condition of anonymity, said Monsignor
grounds that it was never valid. Such
Cardinal Law, who, like John Cardinal
Keenan could have dismissed Ms. Hearty
annulments are based on many grounds,
O'Connor of New York, is one of the
as soon as she was married, but gave her
often finding that psychological
more traditional bishops.
and her husband time to pursue an
immaturity made it impossible for the
The Rev. Donald Houde, an
annulment. The official said that the
spouses to appreciate that they were
administrator with the Office of Catholic
couple delayed seeking one for months.
making a lifelong commitment.
Education at the Archdiocese of Chicago,
Throughout the episode, church
About 60,000 annulments are granted
the country's largest parochial school
officials have made it clear that neither
yearly in the United States, a hundredfold
system with 135,000 students, said that a
Ms. Hearty's competence nor her rigor in
increase since the 1960's but still a small
pivotal factor is the extent of public
teaching Catholic doctrine is at issue. Ms.
percentage of the Catholic marriages that
knowledge.
Hearty has received glowing evaluations,
end in civil divorce. Many Catholics
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
68
refuse to pursue annulments, particularly
to wait for an annulment, which can take
husband file for annulment. The
after having had children, because they
more than two years. They wed in an
supporters say Ms. Hearty dawdled,
believe they authentically entered into a
Episcopal church outside Newburgh.
forcing Monsignor Keenan's hand. Ms.
marriage, but that it withered over time.
Parents who support Monsignor
Beaumont acknowledges that her sister
Ms. Beaumont said that Mr. Barber
Keenan say that when he heard of the
resisted at first, feeling that her marital
and Ms. Hearty decided they did not want
marriage he urged Ms. Hearty to have her
status was a private matter.
Ms. Hearty, her sister said, informed
until April 7.
he recalled. "I said, 'Martin Luther
Monsignor Keenan on Dec. 18 that her
Parents learned of Ms. Hearty's plight
denounced the faith. Jeanne Hearty
husband would pursue an annulment.
last fall. Kenneth Hoch, who has three
followed her heart and got married.
But, Ms. Beaumont said, bureaucratic
children in the school and three who have
There's a world of difference.'
difficulties plagued them throughout
graduated, met with Monsignor Keenan.
January and he did not file the paperwork
"He said, 'She denounced the faith,''
81. The New York Times
04/28/98Section: Metropolitan Desk; Section B; Page 5, Column 6
Budget Cuts For Schools Draw Protests
By JACQUES STEINBERG
would have provided for such work could
governor or Legislature is that we're
Officials of the New York City Board of
have been put to highly beneficial use,"
treated fairly, and I would say that we
Education and the teachers' union said
Dr. Crew said.
were more than treated fairly here, and I
yesterday that Gov. George E. Pataki had
He also said he feared that eliminating
respect the Governor for doing for what
dealt the school system a substantial blow
a fund that has raised teachers' salaries
he did."
when he pruned $202 million from the
since 1987 would hurt the board's efforts
The different interpretations of the
city's school construction budget and
"to begin aggressively recruiting a new
Governor's actions represented a rare
eliminated a $72 million fund intended to
teaching force for the 21st century."
break between the Mayor and the
make the salaries of city teachers more
Randi Weingarten, president of the
Chancellor. Nonetheless, each official
competitive with those in the suburbs.
United Federation of Teachers, said her
was careful not to criticize the other by
If the Governor's vetoes stand, school
members were insulted by what the board
name yesterday.
officials said, they would be forced to
estimated would be a pay cut of $1,000
It was not clear whether there would
delay dozens of long-overdue repair and
per teacher.
be a restoration of any of the Governor's
construction projects, as well as face the
Ms. Weingarten cited a passage in the
cuts, which represent $760 million in
difficult choice of cutting each teacher's
teachers' 1996 contract in which the city
overall statewide spending this year and
salary by $1,000 or taking the money
agreed to "support legislation" requesting
more than $500 million in borrowing for
from after-school programs and other
that the fund be continued.
future programs, including school
remedial projects.
But if school and union officials
construction. Officials said it was
TD
In a statement released late
hoped to get a helping hand from City
unlikely that the Legislature could muster
yesterday, Schools Chancellor Rudy
Hall they were sadly disappointed. At a
the required two-thirds vote in each
Crew predicted that the Governor's action
news conference yesterday morning,
house to override vetoes on any of the
would have "dire consequences." The
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said that the
1,000 items the Governor cut from the
Chancellor said that necessary repairs to
Governor and Legislature had been
budget.
a system in which half the buildings are
generous enough, providing an increase
But school officials said they hoped
more than a century old would cost
in school aid of $300 million over last
that the Legislature might pass new
"upward of $10 billion." Yet his aides
year even with the cuts that Mr. Pataki
legislation resurrecting some of the
said that the city's capital plan for the
outlined on Sunday.
excised programs, a move that would
next four years provides less than half of
"I think that what the Governor did
require only a simple majority of each
that amount -$4.7 billion - for
here was responsible," the Mayor said.
house for a bill to reach the Governor's
renovations, maintenance and new
"And the fact is, the fiscal integrity of the
desk.
construction.
entire state is important to all of us. And
"The $200 million the state budget
all that New York City can ask of a
82. The New York Times
04/26/98Section: New Jersey Weekly Desk; Section 14NJ; Page 2, Column 5
Another School Funding Suit Creates a 3-Ring Legal
Circus
By Jennifer Preston
against the way New Jersey pays for
middle-income school districts filed a
TRENTON In the latest legal assault
public schools, a coalition of 25
lawsuit last week asking the courts to
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
69
order the state to come up with a new
existing state aid formula is
the spending disparity between the state's
way to finance public education.
unconstitutional. The state Supreme
wealthiest and poorest school districts,
This is now the third lawsuit pending
Court ordered New Jersey last year to
and is now considering requiring the state
against the state that contends the
come up with $246 million to help end
to spend $312 million more.
TD Last fall, 17 rural school districts,
a similar point before the State Supreme
statewide taxes, like the income tax or
mostly in southern New Jersey, moved
Court last month while arguing that the
sales tax? The money has to come from
ahead with a lawsuit of their own that
state should not be forced to spend $312
somewhere.
also claims the existing system is
million more in the most financially
And are New Jerseyans willing to give
inequitable.
needy districts. He said the Governor and
up their cherished "home rule" style of
With the middle-income districts, the
the Legislature, not the courts, should be
government, which has led to the creation
debate is not about rich versus poor. It is
deciding how to allocate state money for
of more than 500 different school
about property, and the difficulties that
school programs.
districts? Are they willing to give up
school districts face asking already
The Governor and the Legislature
some degree of local control over their
overburdened property taxpayers to pay
were elected to tax and spend, not the
schools and share costs and decisions
even more.
state's Supreme Court justices. But until
with neighboring school districts?
The Association for Middle-Income
the Legislature and Governor Whitman
To her credit, Governor Whitman put
Districts argues that the state's school aid
address the state's overreliance on
those hard questions on the table earlier
formula promotes unequal tax rates. Too
property taxes to finance public
this year in her annual address to the state
many school districts, the group says,
education, they run the risk of having the
Legislature. She emphasized that she
must levy higher property taxes than
courts decide for them.
opposed forced regionalization of school
others to keep their public schools afloat.
That is what happened just last year in
districts. But she did call for a
Take,
for
example,
the
New Hampshire, where the highest court
referendum so that voters could send a
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School
ruled that the responsibility of paying for
direct message to their elected officials
District, one of the districts that has
public schools belonged to the state.
about what course they want to be taken.
joined the suit. Its property tax rate last
New Jerseyans have been clamoring
At the time, some lawmakers criticized
year was $2.08 for every $100 of
for property tax relief for some time.
the Governor, saying that elected
assessed value, far above the state
Two-thirds of what is collected in
officials, not the voters, should be
average of $1.31.
property taxes goes to schools in most
making those decisions. But a voter
Those who filed suit want the state to
communities. Yet despite the concerns
referendum would provoke a statewide
cap the property tax rate at the state
about taxes, voters approved 74.6 percent
debate on the issue. The public needs to
average of $1.31 for every $100 of
of the school budgets in last Tuesday's
know what it will be giving up and what
assessed value, and make up the
election. School board officials said the
it will be gaining.
difference to school districts. The price
state's strong economy helped produce
So school districts do not need the
tag, they estimate, is $1 billion.
the high approval rate, but warned that
courts to be making the decisions here. It
Pete McDonough, chief spokesman
the state's overreliance on the property
is the people of New Jersey who need to
for Governor Whitman, said that the
tax to pay for education will continue to
decide what it is they really want. And
complaints of the middle-income districts
plague schools and taxpayers.
they need to spell that out for their
do not belong in the courtroom. "We
Yet before any significant property tax
elected officials.
believe that education funding should be
relief can take place, New Jerseyans need
Maybe, then, property tax bills would
handled as a matter of policy, not a
to ask themselves a few difficult
fall. Or, at least, people would no longer
matter of litigation," he said.
questions. Are they willing to trade lower
have an excuse to complain about them.
Attorney General Peter Vernerio made
property taxes for an increase in
83. Associated Press
4-28 5:55a
Parent of Heath High victim says shootings share traits,
need action
She said plans for a national campaign
The latest violent attack occurred
WEST PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) - The
will be announced soon.
Friday night in Edinboro, Pa., where a
parent of a teen-ager shot to death at
"At the root of these tragedies we are
middle-school science teacher was shot
Heath High School says there must be a
discovering that no one was paying
to death at a graduation dance. An eighth
national campaign against school
attention to the causes that led to the acts
grader, 14-year-old Andrew Wurst, was
violence.
of violence. No one felt the need to be
charged.
"We have heard a lot of talk, and we
accountable," Mrs. Steger said.
Mrs. Steger's daughter, Kayce, was
believe it's now time for action," Sabrina
"We hope to start our own effort to get
killed in December as teens held a prayer
Steger said in a statement Monday. "This
all Americans to accept accountability by
meeting in the Heath High School lobby
continuing cycle of school-related
sharing their experiences and ideas to
before classes.
violence carried out by young people
help us find ways to end the violence,"
Also killed were Nicole Hadley and
must be broken."
she said.
Jessica James. Five other students were
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
70
hurt. Another student, Michael Carneal,
14, is awaiting trial for murder.
Last month in Jonesboro, Ark., four
10 battery charges.
at his high school.
children and a teacher were shot to death,
The seeming epidemic of school
In her statement, Mrs. Steger noted
allegedly by two boys lying in ambush
violence began in Pearl, Miss., in
that, in every case, other students had at
outside Westside Middle School.
October, when 16-year-old Luke
least an inkling of impending violence
Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew
Woodham allegedly stabbed his mother
but did not take it seriously.
Golden, 11, face five murder charges and
to death, then gunned down two students
84. Denver Post
April 27, 1998
Bilingual school's students double their knowledge
By Janet Bingham
native language and in fundamental
classroom, where they may speak only in
Denver Post Education Writer
academic concepts even as they master a
English.
BOULDER - Stephanie and Michael
second language.
The two teachers work as a team,
Moore drive more than 20 miles a day to
Two languages, two cultures, are
scheduling and planning together. Similar
get their second-grader, Kevin, to a
emphasized in everything done at the
teacher teams work at all grade levels.
school where he can learn in two
school, from the secretary's cheerful
"It doesn't faze Kevin if his instruction
languages English, their own language,
telephone greetings and the signs reading
is in English or in Spanish," Stephanie
and Spanish.
"Bienvenidos!" and "Welcome!" to the
Moore said of her second-grader. "He is
"We value the way the world opens up
storybook mural that arches over the
already able to read and write in Spanish
when you can speak more than one
entrance to the century-old building.
as well as in English. The teachers are
language," Stephanie Moore said.
Painted clay figures created by
excellent."
Martha Navarez, who knew little
children represent characters from
Fifth-graders are expected to read
English when she moved to Colorado in
storybooks they have read in Spanish and
novels, write long reports and stories, and
1991 from Juarez, Mexico, also wants her
English - "The Cat in the Hat," "La
understand presentations in both English
son Emmanuel to learn in two languages.
Llorona," "Alice in Wonderland,"
and Spanish.
"It's great to see him communicate in one
"Nuestra Sen~ora de Guadalupe," "Black
On one recent day, fifth-graders whose
language, then turn his head and
Beauty," "Los Tres Cerditos."
first language is English listened to a
communicate in another. It's two in one.
Families can gather on couches in the
science lecture given entirely in Spanish.
For the future."
foyer while waiting to greet their children
Their teacher, Kathy Chumacero, was
Both families have enrolled their
or see a teacher. "Parents feel very, very
reinforcing some biology concepts
children at Escuela Bilingue Washington
welcome here," Navarez said.
previously presented in English. She used
- the Washington Bilingual School - a
Children spend part of the day
expressive gestures to make sure her
Spanish-English public school that draws
learning in their first language and part of
students understood the Spanish words
children from throughout Boulder
the day learning in their new language.
they would need to carry out a genetics
County.
Basic concepts in reading, writing and
assignment featuring inherited
Of the 288 children at the school, half
math are taught first in a child's native
characteristics such as pecas (freckles),
are native English speakers and half are
language. As children work daily to
ojos grandes (big eyes), cutis seco y
native Spanish speakers. The goal of the
master the vocabulary and grammar of
sensitivo (dry and sensitive skin) and
school is to ensure that all children can
their second language, the concepts easily
pelo rizado (curly hair).
speak, read and write fluently in both
transfer, Principal Joann Trujillo-Hays
Across the hallway, fifth-graders
languages by the time they leave fifth
said. Soon students are speaking, reading
whose first language is Spanish were in
grade.
and writing in the second language, too.
an all-English classroom, expanding their
The school is succeeding so well that
Native English-speakers and native
knowledge of the English words for body
visitors come from far and near to see
Spanish-speakers come together for part
parts.
how it operates. Two similar schools
of the day to learn social studies, science,
Both groups of fifth-graders that day
have been started in Fort Collins and
music, art and physical education. The
worked together in a computer lab on
Brighton, and there has been some
mixed group learns in English for up to
long adventure stories they are
discussion in the foundation community
three weeks, then in Spanish for up to
composing in Spanish. In art class they
of starting a similar school in Denver.
three weeks, rotating back and forth.
listened to a lecture in English on famous
Comparable programs operate in more
All teachers speak both languages but
portraits by artists ranging from Edouard
than 200 schools in 22 states.
teach in only one. "When children come
Manet to Pablo Picasso and Andy
In the national debate over bilingual
into my classroom, they enter a "country'
Warhol.
education, crucial differences among
where only Spanish is spoken," said
As the children learn each other's
programs often are overlooked.
second/third-grade teacher Melvid Ferry.
languages, they learn to respect one
Research comparing various programs
"They must speak to me only in Spanish,
another, said Navarez, whose 11-year-old
shows that the model used at the
and I speak to them only in Spanish."
son is now a fifth-grader.
Washington Bilingual School helps
For their English language learning,
students become more proficient in their
her children go to Marta Krewson's
She enjoys seeing Emmanuel speaking
English, "and it is good to also see the
English speakers, the boys and girls,
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
71
speaking Spanish. It's great! I love that
and they give us discounts," Jessica said.
America. If he could speak Spanish, he
school!"
Their mother, Patty Novack, who
could do the business himself," she said.
English-speaking parents are equally
remembers trying to learn a foreign
"Those who have the language advantage
pleased. Molly Hardman said her
language in high school, is envious. "By
will have the advantage over other
10-year-old son, Ryan, a fourth-grader,
starting so young, they're not having to
applicants for numerous jobs."
spoke such fluent Spanish on a recent
struggle the way we did."
Principal Trujillo-Hays has taught in
family trip to Mexico that cab drivers and
The Moores said they believe that
other bilingual programs but said they do
waiters turned to stare, wondering where
knowing two languages will be a major
not compare to this one. "I've been in
he had learned it.
asset for the children in the future. "As
bilingual education 15 years, but I've
But children also use their Spanish
the world gets smaller, the need for more
been amazed to see what these children
closer to home. Eleven-year-old Jessica
than one language is more apparent,"
can do. I knew it was possible, but I've
Novack and her brother Cody, 9, have
Stephanie Moore said. Her husband, a
never seen a school where all children
discovered Boulder vendors who sell
mechanical engineer who travels
leave truly able to read and write in both
Mexican candies such as chilitos and
internationally, "needs an interpreter to
languages.
tamarindos. "We talk in Spanish to them.
help him with negotiations in Central
INTERNATIONAL
85. The Economist
04/25/98Section: The Americas; Page 37
The summiteers go to school
NOT so long ago, the president of the
opportunities.
them-and unequal access to what exists
United States would have figured as
Amid a host of good intentions, some
makes worse its already wide disparities
headmaster at a "summit of the
ideas stood out. Democracy, the summit
of income.
Americas". In Santiago last weekend Bill
recognised, is not just a matter of free
At Miami in 1994, the leaders set
Clinton was only the biggest-true, far the
elections. Real justice and free media are
themselves a modest goal: primary
biggest-boy in class; and almost in the
needed for the exposure of corruption
schooling for all children, and secondary
dunce's cap for not having fast-track
and wrongdoing, but both face threats
for 75% by 2010. Yet progress has been
trade-negotiating authority. So, though
from governments, criminals and the
slow: of the relevant age-groups, only
the summit formally launched
mighty in general. A training centre for
85%, at the latest count, were at primary
negotiations on the planned free-trade
judges and prosecutors is to be set up.
school, 36% at secondary school, with
area of the Americas, the FTAA, the main
And, though Peru and Mexico had
fewer than 20% in higher education. The
subject at the Miami summit in 1994, lost
doubts, the summit endorsed an
World Bank reckons 24m more school
its primacy to education.
American idea for the Inter-American
places are needed.
That was a topic just as worthy of
Human Rights Commission-an arm of the
Some countries, such as Chile,
study, and indeed the whole weekend
Organisation of American States-to
Argentina, Peru and Jamaica, should
curriculum was worthy, ranging from
appoint, this year, a special watchdog for
have little trouble meeting the target. Nor
commerce to civics, plus a stern warning
freedom of expression.
should Brazil, where enrolment in
against playground drug-snorting. True,
The OAS is also to establish an
secondary schools jumped to 52% last
head-prefect Eduardo Frei, of Chile, had
"objective procedure" for evaluating
year, says Paulo Renato de Souza, its
to struggle to make the class stick to the
national efforts against drug-trafficking.
education minister. Poorer countries have
timetable. Cheeky Carlos Menem, a
Some countries hope this multilateral
far to go: on present trends, says
senior boy from Argentina, kept the rest
approach will prove effective enough to
UNESCO, secondary-school enrolment
waiting for the class photo. Several boys,
win repeal of the United States' law
in Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras and
led by Jean Chretien, from Canada,
requiring yearly, unilateral "certification"
Nicaragua by 2010 will still be under
muttered in the corridors about the
(or not, in Colombia's case in 1996 and
45%, and in Haiti just 17%.
absence of a Cuban ex-pupil expelled for
1997) of its neighbours' drug-fighting
Quality varies widely. Rich children
disobedience some years ago. Yet, all in
zeal. White House officials hailed a new
often attend good private schools (and
all, the class was a success. The exams,
alliance against drugs; getting Congress
thence may go on, as in Brazil, to benefit
though, are still to come.
to agree is another matter.
disproportionately from subsidised public
In the absence of fast-track, the
Trade apart, however, the big item in
universities). Standards in most Latin
summiteers emphasised the non-trade
Santiago was education, a subject long
American public schools are low. The
agenda: "second-generation" reforms to
neglected. Education and training are the
school day in many countries is only five
shore up Latin America's still fragile
key to any country's future, and without
hours, because classrooms have to be
democracies and market economies by
them free trade may prove more of a
used in two shifts. Teaching materials are
reducing poverty, increasing personal
threat to Latin America than an
often poor; and teacher training has been
security and giving ordinary people better
opportunity. Yet it is desperately short of
neglected.
More money will be needed. So will
political commitment. In the past, even if
reform was planned, often it did not
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
72
happen, thanks to frequent changes of
done-in teacher training, for example.
systems, and teacher exchanges.
education ministers and weak
Santiago may mark a turning-point for
Ironically, Latin America's most
bureaucracies. But things are moving.
Latin American education. Spurred by
effective educational performer was not
Brazil (where Mr de Souza has been
the summit, the Inter-American
in Santiago. Mr Chretien, whose country
three years in his job) is directing more of
Development Bank and the World Bank
will hold the next summit in "two or
its spending to the poorest schools in its
have rejigged their priorities: between
three" years' time, said he would like
north-east. Chile has extended the school
them, they are offering $8.2 billion over
Cuba invited then. The United States will
day. Argentina has raised the
the next three years for education, an area
block that unless Fidel Castro meanwhile
school-leaving age. Costa Rica plans to
they once ignored. In June, education
proves he has learnt the lesson of
put a computer in every school. Bolivia
ministers will meet in Brasilia to discuss
democracy. Perhaps others could learn
and Colombia have decentralised school
the use of new technology in schools,
not from the content but the zeal of
management. But much more needs to be
development of common school testing
education in Cuba?
86. The Economist
04/25/98Section: Britain; Page 58
Private education:
Money no object
FIVE years ago the outlook for private
education is now around 625,000, a level
Given all this, and the rise in demand
schools was fairly bleak. After a long
not seen since the early 1980s. About 6%
for private education, pupil numbers
recession, parents had become reluctant
of British children now attend a private
seem likely to go on rising in the next
to commit themselves to paying fees of
school, up from 5% in the mid-1970s.
few years, despite the loss of assisted
thousands of pounds each year until their
Comparisons with other countries can be
places. At Dulwich College in London,
child reached 18. Despite their success in
difficult: in France, for example, 17% of
for instance, the K1.2m raised for
recruiting more foreign pupils, boarding
pupils go to nominally "private" schools,
bursaries will replace only a fraction of
schools were in sharp decline, as the
but many of these are Catholic ones,
the assisted places that are being lost. But
feeling grew among Britain's middle
heavily subsidised by the government,
applications this year, from those able to
classes that sending one's progeny away
whose British counterparts are counted as
pay their own fees, are up 40% on the
to school was a form of child abuse. And
part of the state sector. But in America,
average for the previous five years.
a Labour government was looking ever
where there are constitutional barriers to
Schools now earn K160m a year from
more likely: the party no longer vowed
state financing of religious schools,
their 18,000 foreign pupils. East Asia
publicly to abolish all private schools but
around 10% of pupils go private.
provides around two-fifths of such
still seemed determined to penalise them
The Labour government's impact has
recruits, so there is concern at the drop in
somehow.
been only mildly hostile. It has dropped
applications from Hong Kong since the
But things have been looking up ever
its threats to impose value-added tax on
handover to China, and the fall in
since. The incomes and job prospects for
school fees, and to remove the other tax
recruitment from South Korea and
Britain's professional classes have
breaks that most private schools get by
Thailand. It is too soon to tell whether
improved sharply, encouraging more to
virtue of being registered charities. But it
these downturns will be permanent. But
take the plunge and sign up their children
is phasing out, from this autumn, the
private schools are widening their
for private education. Boarding is still in
assisted-places scheme, which currently
recruitment drive anyway. ISIS, which is
decline but the number of day pupils is
pays all or part of the fees for about
their marketing body, recently ran
now showing marked growth. The annual
40,000 pupils.
promotional trips to mainland China and
survey of the Independent Schools
However, some parents who would
South America, where there is growing
Information Service (ISIS), published on
have qualified for assistance are likely to
demand for English-language education.
April 23rd, showed that pupil numbers
pay the fees themselves. Others will get
A few schools have ventured further
(day plus boarding) grew by 1.6% in the
bursaries from new trusts that many
into the export market by franchising
past year, despite a fall in the number of
schools have set up, financed from
their name and their curriculum to newly
foreign pupils because of financial crises
appeals to former pupils. And some
created schools in East Asia: both
in East Asia.
Conservative local councils are
Dulwich College and Harrow, for
The survey covers the 80% of private
considering whether to create their own
instance, now have franchised schools in
schools (also known as independent or,
private-school bursaries (though the
Thailand, with mainly British staff.
confusingly, public schools) which are
schools bill, now going through
Only the strong survive
affiliated to ISIS. It suggests that the total
Parliament, grants the government a veto
number of British pupils in private
over such schemes).
Though pupil numbers are now rising
heavily to please parents, who
Douai School in Berkshire, set up in
steadily, the shake-out among private
increasingly demand that their children
1615 by Benedictine monks, announced
schools in the early 1990s is continuing.
be kept in hotel-quality accommodation,
its closure. Of the 2,500 private schools,
Big, famous boarding schools are finding
not draughty dormitories. But smaller,
92 closed and only 64 opened last year.
it easier to fill their places-enrolments for
less prominent schools often lack the
As some schools close, others are
Ampleforth in North Yorkshire are up
capital to upgrade their facilities or to
being reorganised. Some educational
10% this autumn after eight years of
market themselves and are being
charities are merging with each other and
decline. Such schools are having to invest
squeezed out. This week, for instance,
buying up struggling schools run by sole
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
73
proprietors, to create chains of schools
the aim is to convince the government to
However, some research published
with shared administrative costs. And
provide full funding for the school, as
last month, by a team led by Professor
chains of for-profit schools are being set
with the many existing Catholic,
Geoff Whitty of London University's
up, with capital from City investors. The
Protestant and Jewish state schools.
Institute of Education, showed that
largest of these, Nord Anglia, has 24
Progress on this has been slow, but this
private schools are justified in claiming
schools in Britain and Eastern Europe,
week Islamia School in London, set up
that their good results are not just a
and is listed on the stockmarket. Others
by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens, a
function of their intake. The researchers
are catching up, such as the expanding
1960s pop star), became Britain's first
monitored the progress of 347 people, all
Jigsaw Group, which now has 14 nursery
state-financed Muslim school.
from the most academically able third of
schools and aims to be the "Marks and
Most private-school pupils get good
the population, some of whom went to
Spencer of early-years education".
exam results and go on to university and
state schools and some to private schools.
Increasingly, religious and ethnic
a well-paid career. But then most come
Those who went to the private schools
minorities are choosing to set up their
from affluent families whose parents are
got a much better set of A-levels than
own schools. There are now around 50 of
clearly committed to supporting their
those in state schools, went on to the
these, mainly in the inner cities. Parents
children's education (otherwise they
most prestigious universities and ended
seem to be choosing them partly to
would not be paying so dearly for it).
up in the best jobs.
escape racism in state schools and partly
These children might be expected to do
For those from poor families, whose
for fear that their children are rejecting
well in any school, so it is not
parents had few academic achievements,
their cultural and religious roots.
immediately obvious what their parents
who got into private school via the
Inspectors find that most such schools
are getting in return for their school fees.
assisted-places scheme, the benefits were
create a strong ethos of learning. Often,
Parents often cite the much smaller class
especially marked. A shame, then, that
though, their lack of capital means they
sizes of private schools compared with
such pupils, whom the government would
are unable to teach a broad curriculum,
state ones; but a number of studies have
regard as more deserving than those from
are short of books and other materials,
suggested that, except for the youngest
privileged backgrounds, will be the main
and are stuck in unsuitable (or even
pupils, class size has little effect on the
casualties of its decision to abolish the
dangerous) buildings. But in many cases
quality of education.
scheme.
87. Christian Science Monitor
April 28, 1998
Mathematics Educators: Make Use of Technology
Brian Smith
assertions of a few backward thinkers
she went to school is like the pilot who
MONTREAL
-
At
a
recent
remarkable innovations. They put within
refuses to exploit modern instrumentation
mathematics conference I witnessed a
our grasp, neophytes and old pros alike,
because of a reluctance to rely on
computer algebra system do in minutes
the ability to solve our equations, and
newfangled gadgets.
what, with pencil and paper, took me
then to see those solutions come alive
In my doctoral research I spent many
weeks in the 1960s. When as a young
before our eyes.
hours in search of solutions to complex
teacher I abandoned the slide-rule and
The capacity to visualize answers to
systems of partial differential equations.
square-root tables for hand-held
complicated abstract and real-world
Would reliance on the computer have
calculators and simple programming
problems, to graph slope fields for
made me a less accomplished
languages, I could not have foreseen the
systems of differential equations, to
mathematician? On the contrary; it would
wealth of technological aids available
immerse oneself in the twists and turns of
likely have made me more productive.
today.
three-dimensional surfaces and curves
What of the criticism that students
I have incorporated technology into
these are no mere tricks of the trade.
who are allowed (or encouraged) to use
my classroom ever since I began teaching
They are profound breakthroughs.
technology will never develop the basic
college classes in 1970. My fascination
Think of aviation without modern
mathematical skills necessary to survive
with technology as a medium for
navigational techniques. No serious pilot
in the modern world? This argument has
education has accompanied me through a
would do without radar, and no one
been used to resist every technological
27-year career in the two-year college
expects apprentice pilots to learn how to
advance since the Industrial Revolution.
system, from which I recently retired, and
fly using only the tools that were
Somehow, we are intelligent enough to
continues in my current position teaching
available to the previous generation. The
survive technological innovation, to
undergraduate mathematics and statistics.
mathematics educator who refuses to
acclimatize ourselves to our strange new
Graphing calculators and computer
teach the use of graphing calculators
environment and to bend it to our needs.
algebra systems are - contrary to the
because they were not around when he or
The mathematics reform movement
Math organizations at all levels -
successes.
struggles with the issues created by the
serving K-12 educators,
Incorporating technology into math
rapid progress of technology. We adapt
two-year-colleges, and universities -
has breathed new life into my lectures
curricula to the new capabilities that are,
offer sessions on innovative and
and generated a sense of discovery that
literally, at our fingertips. We redefine
appropriate use of the new technologies.
exhilarates teacher and student alike. I am
examinations to exercise old skills and
Conscientious teachers enthusiastically
gratified that the new technologies permit
enhance new ones.
present their ideas and report on their
me and my students to see the world
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
74
anew.
Management at McGill University in
TI-82/83 or TI-85/86,' (Mathware,
* Brian Smith teaches mathematics
Montreal. He is the author of
Urbana. III.).
and statistics at the Faculty of
'Simplifying Mathematics using the
88. London Guardian
April 28, 1998
Those great expectations
Roy Hattersley questions whether Labour is fulfilling the spirit of its pledges
Like every other element of
'aptitude' as being narrower, determining
'standards, not structures' shibboleth
government policy, Labour's first
whether someone has the capacity to be
which enables the Government's
education year has to be judged against
trained and developed." The academic
education policy to fit into the thrust of
four different and distinct criteria - the
care with which Baroness Blackstone
New Labour's general philosophy.
promises of the manifesto, the needs of
attributed those bizarre views to
Education is to be improved by changes
the nation, the aspiration of the socialists
'researchers' may have escaped some of
to the 'supply side' - not by increased
who once inspired the party, and the
their lordships. So, just to emphasise the
investment.
Government's obsession with winning the
point, she added, "That may not satisfy
More money has been made available
next general election. At least two of
(her questioners) but that is what the
- though rather less than appears to be the
these objectives have been completely
researchers came up with." The sub-text
case once it is realised that the transfer
achieved. The limited promises that the
to that explanation is clear enough. New
for the reserves was anticipated by the
party made before the election have been
Labour - far from ending selection - has
previous government. But the whole
undoubtedly fulfilled. The Assisted
actually extended it. Incorporating the
emphasis has to be on individuals -
Places Scheme has been abolished and
existing 163 grammar schools into the
teachers as well as pupils - doing better.
the consequent savings are to be used to
comprehensive system is made
That is the justification for 'naming and
finance the extension of nursery
intentionally difficult by the organisation
shaming' - the identification of schools
education. Those decisions deserve
of the parental ballots which are to
which are said to have failed. The idea is
unequivocal support. And the
determine the pattern of secondary
that humiliation will act as a stimulus for
determination to reduce infant classes to
education. Meanwhile schools may select
improvement. No serious educationist
a maximum of 30 should be a cause of
by ability. That, all the legitimate
accepts that analysis. Like 'selection by
unrestrained rejoicing.
researches confirm, advantages exactly
aptitude', the extension of league tables
But a problem has arisen over the
the same pupils who would have
and the increasing involvement of the
achievement of the other obligations.
benefited from 'the scholarship' and won
Secretary of State in day-to-day teaching
Education policy has helped to maintain
grammar school places under the old 11
methods, 'naming and shaming' has less
the allegiance of the suburban middle
plus. The middle classes can sleep easy in
to do with improving performance than
classes. But, in order to win their support,
their beds.
polishing the Government's image.
the Labour Party has abandoned its
The Blessed Blackstone, in what was
Not all this year's initiatives have been
commitment to universal comprehensive
the year's most plausible defence of the
motivated by such venal considerations.
education.
School Standards and Framework Bill,
The calculated decision to diminish the
All that needs to be said on the subject
gave one glorious hostage to political
role of local education authorities - like
was included in Baroness Blackstone's
fortune. It ought to result in her full
the involvement of private companies in
speech to the House of Lords as she tried
canonisation. Asked to comment on the
the management of Education Action
to reconcile her loyalty to the
government's slogan, 'standards, not
Zones - is entirely consistent with the
Government with her almost unrivalled
structures', she replied that the two are
philosophy of 'the third way'. It is hard to
understanding of education policy. Asked
"intimately linked". That is self-evidently
imagine how a great city could
to explain why a Secretary of State who
right.
successfully organise its secondary
had promised "no selection by
It is also a modern heresy. The
admissions policy or its programme of
examination or interview" - was actually
distinction between performance and
pre-school education without some
extending selection by aptitude, she
organisation is central to the
overall co-ordination of policy. And we
replied, "The researchers defined 'ability'
Government's attempts to improve overall
have yet to be told what special stimulus
as an all-embracing factor which suggests
results without antagonising the vested
private enterprise can provide to the
whether a candidate will be successfully
interests of those who want something
improvement of education in the inner
able to undertake a course of study and
special for their children. It is the
cities.
But breaking down the old
disastrously detached from teachers -
agenda, expected more from Labour than
bureaucracies and harnessing the talent of
once the intellectual, as well as
the Government has provided. If they are
independent entrepreneurs is the sort of
organisational, backbone of the party.
not to receive the money they deserve,
thing in which New Labour honestly, if
Nobody wants or expects David Blunkett
they ought at least to enjoy the respect
incoherently, believes. The policy is
to capitulate to the extremists of the NUT
which they are due. The Labour Party has
misguided but genuine.
annual conference. But hardworking
alienated teachers who ought to be its
However Labour has become
teachers, without an independent political
friends. If, even by its own standards, its
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
75
education policy begins to fall apart, its
attitude
towards
teachers
will
almost
certainly
be
to
blame.
89. London Guardian
April 28, 1998
Still more to be done
David Blunkett tells John Carvel about his achievements and his concerns
Reflecting on the first year in office,
improve pre-school education. All but
but it's the sector in the greatest
David Blunkett talks as much about the
one of the local authorities had early
depression and we must help them to
mountain still to be climbed as the
years development plans in place for
help themselves." That is no doubt part of
journey so far through the foothills of
September and there would be 65,000
the case that Mr Blunkett is making to the
government. The anniversary of Labour's
more places for 4-year-olds. "People say:
comprehensive spending review. He is
election victory may be the moment for a
very good, we thought you would do that.
worried by international comparisons
brief look back, but the Education and
They forget that in fact they didn't." The
showing the percentage of French and
Employment Secretary's priority is the
same applied to the extra funding for
German teenagers getting the equivalent
move to the next base camp.
education in the July Budget. "If we
of five good passes at GCSE is double
In legislative terms, the Government
hadn't got that money, it would have been
the figure for British youngsters.
will have fulfilled its manifesto
a disaster. Without those resources we
Labour's preparation in opposition
commitments on education when the
would not have been able to hold the
was uneven. It developed a clear agenda
current bills complete their passage
line. It was a crucial change." Increased
on schools, but was vaguer on post-16
through Parliament. But implementation
spending on capital was helping to lift
education. Within the DfEE, there is no
is another matter. That will need
morale. "People seeing the buildings
equivalent on the further education side
resources and the outcome of the
improving even if it's in a neighbouring
to Michael Barber, the professor brought
Treasury's comprehensive spending
school - get new hope and that gradually
in to head the school standards unit.
review is still uncertain.
begins to seep its way through into the
Mr Blunkett had to spend a lot of time
So Mr Blunkett's attempts to claim
classroom." Mr Blunkett claims to detect
in the early weeks of this year rewriting
due credit for an energetic year with
a mood swing in the schools over the last
badly-worked drafts of the lifelong
relatively few political upsets are
three months. Instead of 75 per cent of
learning green paper, to avoid its
interrupted by flashes of anguish about
the staff grumbling, "75 per cent are
derailment. He praises Michael Bichard,
the continuing inadequacy of parts of the
talking positively about what they are
his permanent secretary, but notes that
education service.
trying to do and their hopes for the
the DfEE civil servants "are having to
First the optimism. "There is nothing
future." But this possibly over-rosy
learn how to take on a new way of
that we promised to do that we haven't
vision of walking already through the
developing ideas, including the art of
done - and we have done a great deal
sunlit uplands does not last long. Mr
writing policy papers".
more than we promised," he said. "We
Blunkett is soon firing off the statistics
They were evidently surprised by his
dampened expectations. As a party, we
showing the dreadfulness of the funding
interest in administrative efficiency - a
were very cautious. We tried to make
for further education. The sector looks
hangover from his days as leader of
sure people didn't expect more than could
after 60 per cent of 16- to 19-year-olds.
Sheffield city council. The ingenuity
be delivered. But the problem is people
Student numbers have increased by 22
learned while running a rate-capped
didn't hear that. Their expectations of
per cent over five years, but income has
authority in the early 1980s may have
early progress were very high. They got
been progressively cut by four per cent a
helped him find savings worth about
more than we promised and more
year in real terms.
£500 million, providing growth money
quickly, but now they put that in their
"Those figures are staggering. We
for other education projects in this
pocket and ask for more." For example,
have an enormous mountain to climb to
no-growth period of Government
the Government made faster progress
put the sector back together again. It may
spending.
than expected on implementing plans to
not be the sexiest part of the portfolio,
He is unrepentant about the early
positive things, to broaden the area of
I hope from the spending review, we
decision to put pressure on failing
appeal and start to put the jigsaw
really could see a total transformation of
schools and incompetent teachers. "We
together." There have been rumblings of
the life chances of young people in this
were tough because we had to be.
speculation that Tony Blair might switch
country I want to be there for the length
Otherwise people would have let out a
Mr Blunkett in the summer to a new
of time needed to show we can achieve
sigh of relief and said our standards drive
portfolio as welfare supremo, exploiting
the targets we have set. I want to have
was just an election ploy. And that won't
his background and salesmanship talents
been given the chance to do a decent job
do. For the first three or four months it
in a difficult area of policy. But there are
of work," he said.
was necessary to establish that we meant
no signs of the Education Secretary
business. Then we could talk about more
wanting to move on. things turn out as
90. Sydney Morning Herald
April 28, 1998
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
76
Now lower income families choose private schools
By STEPHANIE RAETHEL
It is the first time the ABS has
earners sending their children to
Education Writer
collected data linking family income to
government schools.
Middle-income families are paying
the type of school children attend and the
While the majority of enrolments in
thousands of dollars a year to secure
new data comes as the Federal
private schools were in Catholic schools,
places in non-government schools,
Government
reviews
funding
7 per cent of families earning between
according to official new figures that
arrangements for non-government
$31,200 and $52,000 enrolled children in
show not only wealthy families opt for
schools.
other independent schools and this figure
private education.
The Federal Government has already
climbed to 10 per cent for families
The figures, based on information
lifted restrictions on the setting up of new
earning up to $78,000.
from the Bureau of Statistics census,
non-government schools, making it easier
The executive director of the NSW
show that even in the lower-income
for low-fee independent schools to open
Association of Independent Schools, Mr
bracket, where families earn below
their doors.
Terry Chapman, said the figures showed
$26,000, almost one in five families has
The executive director of the
that independent schools were not the
opted for private education.
Australian Parents' Council, Ms
sole domain of the wealthy and that not
Among families earning between
Josephine Lonergan, said the figures
all wealthy people sent their children to
$26,000 and $41,500, about 22 per cent
exploded the myth that only the rich send
private schools.
opted for private schools while the figure
their children to non-government
"The shift to private schools is not
rose to 28 per cent for families in the
schools.
because families have become more
$41,500 to $61,000 bracket.
She said the argument that the growth
wealthy," he said.
At the other end of the income scale,
of non-government schools could lead to
"It appears to be families right across
about 50 per cent of families earning
government schools being marginalised
the socio-economic spectrum focusing
more than $104,000 a year send their
was also not supported by the figures,
more on what they are looking for in
children to government schools.
with about 50 per cent of high-income
schools.
91. Sydney Morning Herald
April 28, 1998
Today's lesson: how private can pay off
By HUGH MACKAY
from school with such a bland report of
equipped to face a tougher and more
WE ARE in an era of extraordinary
the day's activities might well send its
competitive world than the one they
parental interest in the formal education
parents into a frenzy, precipitating a visit
faced.
of children. Older Australians report that
to the school to demand a transfer to a
Add to this the emerging economic
their parents rarely came near their
more goal-focused, outcome-orientated,
imperative, "user pays" (which breeds the
schools, rarely attended sporting events,
child-centred learning environment.
conviction that you get what you pay
rarely met the teachers and scarcely knew
This is part of a larger trend. It is as
for), and you have the basis of a growing
what their children were being taught.
though parents, naturally wishing their
tendency for parents to consider the
The parent's ritual question, "What did
children to be happy and successful, have
private-school option.
you learn at school today?", was regarded
decided that the way to achieve this is to
Three factors influence their thinking.
in many families as a kind of running
ensure that they have the best of
One is the sense of control that
gag. The ritual response "nothing much"
everything: the best bat, the best clarinet,
fee-paying parents feel they can exert
- was usually interpreted as welcome
the best holiday, the best computer, the
over the education process. "If I'm
reassurance that no boats were about to
best study area and certainly the best
paying," the argument runs, "I can call
be rocked.
available teacher.
the shots. If I'm not happy with the
Reactions are not always so benign
It's a trend driven partly by
product then, like a consumer in any
today, certainly not in the upper reaches
materialism, and partly by the parents'
market, I have the right to complain."
of the middle class. A child coming home
conviction that their children need to be
Taxpayers have the same right to
philosophical ideals.
tertiary qualifications, though that
complain, of course, about inadequacies
This leads, in turn, to the expectation
situation is rapidly changing under the
in the public education system but, in the
that they will be more willing to accept
influence of the selective high schools.
private sector, the voice of the fee-paying
pastoral responsibility for their pupils.
By refining their entrance
parent can demand a more immediate
All of this is thought to civilise a child to
requirements and placing their heaviest
response.
an extent not demanded, or expected, of
emphasis on academic achievement, the
A second factor is the belief that
the State system.
selective high schools will soon be
private schools will typically place more
And then there's the question of
clustered at the top of the HSC league
emphasis than public schools on
getting a job. For some parents, private
table.
discipline, and that the staff will be more
schools are still associated with high
But HSC marks are only part of the
committed to a set of explicit moral and
marks in the HSC as a stepping-stone to
job story. As the employment outlook for
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
77
the rising generation remains bleak, a
might be thought to offer.
However it may be interpreted, a better
growing number of parents are prepared
This thing called "education" can be
education is precisely what parents
to make big sacrifices to give their
interpreted pragmatically or idealistically,
believe they are buying from private
children whatever advantages - tangible
rationally or emotionally, spiritually,
schools. Why else would they pay all that
or intangible a private-school education
culturally, academically or socially.
money?
92. London Daily Telegraph
April 28, 1998
Parents can demand that class sizes be cut
By Rachel Sylvester
schools to fill surplus places elsewhere.
The Government has allocated £22
Political Correspondent
However, Stephen Byers, the schools
million to pay for more infant teachers
PARENTS will be able to demand an
standards minister, said parents would be
and £40 million to build extra
extra teacher or classroom at their child's
able to object to specific plans if they
classrooms. Mr Byers said 100,000
school if they fear that the drive to cut
thought that they would damage their
pupils aged five to seven would benefit
class sizes is putting education standards
children's education. Special protection
from smaller classes from September.
at risk.
will be given to pupils at village schools.
Extra places should be created in popular
The Government yesterday announced
Ministers acknowledge that children
schools, if necessary, by expanding the
plans to increase the power of parents to
could suffer if a blanket rule on class
number of teachers and improving the
influence the make-up of schools as it set
sizes is imposed in remote communities.
infrastructure.
out proposals for reducing the
Parents will be able to demand that the
He stressed that the Government's new
pupil-teacher ratio. Education authorities
education authority allocates money for
drive should increase rather than decrease
will be required to publish a detailed
extra teachers if children have to travel
the power of parents. He said: "The
strategy for fulfilling Labour's manifesto
long distances to other schools. Ministers
regulations and guidance make it clear
pledge to have no more than 30 children
have also decided that the authorities will
that local education authorities will have
in infant classes. According to a
not be able to reduce classes by shifting
to consult parents, schools, churches and
consultative document published
children around from good schools to bad
others to make their plans reflect local
yesterday, they will also have to consult
ones. Parents will have the power to ask
needs and parental preferences. In the
parents before implementing any of their
for additional resources to fund staff or to
longer term LEAs should seek to increase
proposals.
build new classrooms in over-subscribed
the proportion of provision in
There have been fears that limits will
schools rather than being forced to send
successful
lead to children being taken from popular
their children elsewhere.
93. London Daily Telegraph
April 28, 1998
Teachers attack drugs education for infants
By Philip Johnston and Liz Lightfoot
Schoolmasters Union of Women
pop stars associated with the drugs scene
GOVERNMENT plans to educate
Teachers, also accused Tony Blair of
to receptions at No 10."
children as young as five about the
setting a bad example by courting pop
Guests at Downing Street have
dangers of drugs, as part of a long-term
stars. He said: "As always, politicians
included Noel Gallagher, of Oasis, who
strategy to curb abuse, were criticised by
expect others to act. The Prime Minister
said last year that taking drugs might now
teachers' leaders last night.
could probably achieve more than 1,000
be as normal as "getting up and having a
Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of
lessons in drugs education if he set a
cup of tea in the morning".
the National Association of
good example and refrained from inviting
Mr de Gruchy also attacked the
proposal, though some ministers believe
sure children will have them spelt out in
Government for "dumping social
that eight or nine would be a more
the playground or on the street corner."
problems on to schools. It is unrealistic to
suitable age.
Many primary schools teach children
expect schools to fill the moral vacuum
Mr Hellawell said: "We do not intend
about drugs as part of the science
created by so many different forces at
to start talking to children aged five about
curriculum. Teachers are advised to
work in society. Dumping on schools is a
crack cocaine and all the paraphernalia,
emphasise that all drugs can be harmful if
cop-out by Government and society."
but they need to understand the
misused. Under Government guidelines,
A White Paper published yesterday
consequences that drugs have. They need
children can be taught about illegal drugs
said that the national curriculum should
to understand resistance so that they can
and their harmful effects from the age of
include lessons introducing pupils aged
make a choice. It's crucial that we get to
seven. In secondary schools, the
five to the dangers of drugs. Keith
the children before the drug dealers do."
curriculum covers drugs and their use
Hellawell, the so-called drugs tsar, who
Jack Straw, Home Secretary, said: "If
and misuse in more detail.
devised the strategy, defended the
schools don't spell out the facts, then for
Mr de Gruchy said there was little
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
78
evidence that drugs education for the
education in schools over the past
Peter Smith, general secretary of the
very young would succeed. He said: "I
decade, the problem seemed to be as bad
Association of Teachers and Lecturers,
question the wisdom of involving all five
as ever. David Hart, general secretary of
said: "Learning about drugs does not
and six-year-olds in a programme of this
the National Association of
encourage children to experiment. Many
kind because one or two youngsters have
Headteachers, said too many were
already know more than their teachers
been found with drugs in primary
"streetwise" about drugs. Teachers had to
about drug use.
schools."
balance protecting pupils from abuse
Despite an enormous increase in drugs
against encouraging experimentation.
94. Financial Times
04/28/98; Edition: London Edition; Section: NATIONAL NEWS; Page 10
Government campaign to target schoolchildren
By Simon Buckby
Plans
for
a
nationwide
the number of people under 25 reporting
Social Affairs Correspondent
drugs-education programme for children
the use of illegal drugs. Targets would
A long-term strategy to tackle the
between five and 16 years was attacked
also be set for reducing repeat offending,
growing use of illegal drugs was unveiled
by Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of
increasing participation in treatment
by the government yesterday amid
NASUWT, the teachers' union. He said:
programmes and reducing the availability
controversy over its plan to focus on drug
"There is little hard evidence that drugs
of drugs to children between five and 16
education for all schoolchildren.
education of this kind will achieve its
years.
The new strategy is contained in a
purpose. I question the wisdom of
Government advisers believe by the
white paper which follows a review of
involving all five and six year olds in a
age of 14 some pupils may be "drinking
policies impacting on the problem by
programme of this kind because one or
regularly and/or smoking" and "almost all
Keith Hellawell, former chief constable
two youngsters have been found with
pupils will be aware of at least some
of West Yorkshire police. He began work
drugs in primary schools."
illegal drugs". Mr Hellawell said young
as the country's first anti-drugs
However Jack Straw, the home
people's use of legal drugs was linked
co-ordinator in January.
secretary, whose teenage son was
with illegal drug use and should be
Mr Hellawell estimates the
cautioned earlier this year for selling
addressed within the same strategy.
government spends GBP 1.4bn
cannabis, said: "If schools don't spell out
The Standing Conference on Drug
combatting a problem, which costs the
the facts, then for sure children will have
Abuse, a think-tank, welcomed the new
country more than GBP 4bn a year in
them spelt out in the playground or on
initiative. But Roger Howard, its chief
crime and sickness bills. International
the street corner."
executive, called for increased
drugs trafficking accounts for 8 per cent
Tony Blair, the prime minister, praised
investment. "The strategy and vision will
of total world trade, according to the
Mr Hellawell for getting to the "root of
not amount to much unless the
United Nations.
the problem". He said a series of
government can find the resources to
The government's aim to shift
government initiatives would impact on
invest more in prevention, education and
resources from reacting to the
drugs. "They are often part of a complex
rehabilitating addicts."
consequences of the problem to
web of difficult social problems. We are
Mr Hellawell said drug problems did
preventing misuse, was highlighted by an
tackling inequalities with a programme of
not occur in isolation, and were often
announcement that assets seized from
reform in the welfare state, education,
connected to "unemployment, low
drug dealers would be invested in
health, criminal justice and the
self-esteem, educational failure, boredom
anti-drugs work. Last year, more than
economy."
and physical, psychological or family
GBP 5m was recovered from drug
Mr Hellawell said he would set
problems".
barons.
monthly and annual targets for reducing
Mr Straw said efforts had to be linked
said dealing with under-skilled and
Drugs To Build A Better Britain,
to the government's working party on
under-educated young men was the "most
Stationery Office, 0171 873 0011. GBP
anti-social behaviour by young men. He
serious social problem we face". Tackling
6.50.1
95. Associated Press
4-28 5:18a
Japan to implement new plan
implementation in fiscal 2002 of a
submitted by an advisory panel to
TOKYO, April 28 (Kyodo) The
five-day school day system for
Education Minister Nobutaka Machimura
Education Ministry revised its education
elementary, junior and senior high
in March calling for the five-day system
reform program Tuesday, outlining a
schools.
and urging parents to take more
schedule for such measures as
The revision followed a report
responsibility for the education of
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
79
children at home following a series of
from the ministry in constructing their
problems.
crimes committed by knife-wielding
own school programs, as well as
The ministry will call on TV networks
teenagers.
promoting research studies at
to check the contents of their programs
Machimura said at a press conference,
universities.
and make regulations to protect children
"It is unusual for the administration to
Under the program, a complete
from harmful broadcasts, such as
deal with education of children outside
five-day school system will be
programs depicting violence and explicit
school hours, but it is necessary to do so
implemented in fiscal 2002, which ends
sex.
since the educational capacities of homes
in March 2003, after the ministry finishes
The ministry's program also calls on
and local communities has been lost these
compiling textbooks for the new school
fathers to review their work-oriented life
days."
system. Currently, elementary and junior
styles and take a more active role in the
The program aims at enriching
high schoolchildren, as well as public
family.
students' minds and realizing a school
high school students, get every other
It also gives instructions on matters of
system which enables them to develop
Saturday off.
common sense which are apparently
their personality.
It also includes setting up counseling
neglected at home, such as the need for
It is also intended to allowing
rooms in schools where professional
parents to firmly scold their children
individual schools to be independent
counselors can help children with
whenever they do anything bad.
COMMENTARY
96. The Baltimore Sun
04/24/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page 23A
Republican, White House battle on education a play for
votes
By JACK GERMOND
as healthy as it is today, education is the
The heart of the Republican plan is a
& JULES WITCOVER
single issue most important to most
proposal that would allow parents to
WASHINGTON - The confrontation
Americans.
create education savings accounts, the
between President Clinton and
Education gets an especially high
interest on which would be tax-exempt if
Republicans in Congress over education
priority from women voters, who make
used to pay tuition at private or public
is another of those sham battles intended
up a majority of the electorate and have
schools. The Democrats are depicting this
to con the folks back home.
been splitting clearly for the Democrats.
as another example of Republican
From the outset, neither side has had a
So it is not far-fetched to believe that
welfare for the affluent. But the fact is
realistic chance of winning. The
the issue could be decisive in some close
that the most a parent might realize from
Republicans lack the votes to override
contests for seats in the House of
the bill would be $37 a year, hardly a
Mr. Clinton's veto of their measure. The
Representatives, the principal
make-or-break savings for a well-to-do
Democrats lack the votes to pass their
battleground in a year in which the
family.
own.
Democrats could regain control by
But this initiative is essentially a
So what the whole exercise is about is
picking up 11 seats.
Republican attempt to establish the
political positioning for the midterm
But both sides are guilty of gross
principle of public help for private
elections in November. Both the White
rhetorical excesses in the cases they are
schools, the same principle involved in
House and the Republicans understand
making for their own proposals and in
their support for school vouchers that
fully that so long as the economy remains
their attacks on the opposition.
could be used for tuition anywhere.
It's one of the key legislative proposals
who want to send their children to
However, neither party's plan has the
for Christian conservatives, perhaps the
parochial schools but find it too
potential to have a major effect on
single most influential Republican
expensive.
schools nationally. The reality is that
constituency and run a lot of private
The counter argument from the
federal money accounts for less than 7
schools of their own. For them, tuition
president and Democratic congressional
percent of national spending on
vouchers rank right behind opposition to
leaders is that the Republican plan is
elementary and secondary schools.
abortion and support for prayer in public
another attempt to undermine the public
The Republicans are feeling some
schools.
schools and that the best remedy for
pressure to emphasize their credentials on
The Republican plan has other, more
those inner-city parents is more help to
education because, as many of them
intriguing political ramifications. Like
improve the public schools.
concede, Mr. Clinton has been so
the voucher plan, the proposal has
So the Democratic plan has two
successful in identifying himself with
divided the Democrats and attracted some
principal planks - interest subsidies to
concern for children. Some of his
of the most liberal to the Republican
provide $22 billion in loan guarantees to
proposals, such as those for computers in
view. The reason is obvious: Help in
build or modernize 5,000 public schools
every classroom and more use of school
paying for private schools is important to
over several years and, second, $7.3
uniforms, have been modest or vague.
many low-income, inner-city families
billion to add 100,000 teachers.
But they have identified the president and
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
80
his party as the most devoted to U.S.
public education is one of the
doesn't directly confront those
schoolchildren.
fundamentals on which U.S. democracy
fundamentals. Instead, it is all about how
There is a serious issue in education
rests. And so is the separation of church
the candidates will be seen by the voters
today. The public schools have been
and state. Neither fundamental should be
in November.
under attack from all levels of
undermined by the political needs of the
Jack W. Germond and Jules Witcover
government because of their inadequacies
moment.
write from The Sun's Washington
in so many communities. But universal
The debate going on now, however,
bureau.
97. The Newark Star-Ledger
04/24/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page 026
Whitman plan would harm higher education
By Abby Demel-Brown
graduation rate. Forcing colleges and
of criteria is necessarily subjective.
Gov. Christie Whitman's plan to reward
universities to compete in an effort to
The Governor's approach to college
colleges and universities that meet certain
increase graduation rates would
and university funding would mean merit
criteria and punish others that don't is
inevitably lead to decreasing standards. It
pay, a system she wishes to apply to state
flawed for three essential reasons.
would be a disservice to students, and to
government at a time when many
First, it would all but guarantee that
employers who hope to hire qualified
businesses are abandoning the practice
struggling colleges and universities
graduates, to make funding dependent on
after discovering that it reduces
decline further. Second, it would create
graduation rates, which are easily
productivity because it breeds animosity
an unhealthy competition based on
manipulated by college and university
between staff and supervisors and among
so-called objective statistics. Finally, it
administrations. It is a crime that so many
workers.
would open the door wide for political
students are permitted to graduate from
The Governor's plan is yet another
patronage. A governor could demand
high school without achieving a
budget gimmick. It sounds good, but on
loyalty from college and university
third-grade reading level. It would be an
closer inspection, it is apparent that
administrations and punish them
even greater crime if the Governor's
higher education would suffer greatly as
financially.
proposal spread such practices into our
a result of it.
The Governor has proposed rewarding
higher education institutions.
The real answers to the problems
colleges and universities that keep
The Governor's proposal would open
facing higher education in New Jersey
tuitions down. But we have to ask
the doors of our colleges and universities
(tuition costs, lack of access and diversity
whether it makes sense to cut funding to
wide to politics. College and university
and diminished educational quality) are
a school whose tuition is too high. Would
administrations would have to behave the
quite simple. Affirmative action,
that not force the school to further
way the Governor wishes or risk
increased financial aid and full funding of
increase tuition or cut programs, thus
retribution through the budget process.
college and university salary and fringe
guaranteeing the same outcome the
The Governor could use supposedly
benefit accounts are investments in New
following year? It would certainly be
objective criteria to mask arbitrary
Jersey's future that will pay for
unfair to students, who would see their
funding decisions. This would be even
themselves in the long run. The difficulty
program options decline while their
more easily accomplished since there is
lies in finding the money in the short run.
tuitions increase.
no universal agreement on which criteria
Real leadership, not gimmickry, will get
Another criterion for reward is the
really matter. Thus the Governor's choice
us there.
98. The Charleston Gazette
04/24/98 Page P7A
Read to Me Day
Reading to your kids helps their brains
By Jeff Crist
think and learn.
development has drawn significant
READING TO CHILDREN is one of
Although most nerve cells are present
attention recently due to new imaging
the most important activities for building
at birth, the wiring between them has yet
technology which provides concrete
knowledge required for success later in
to stabilize. Research shows that a loving,
evidence about earlier theories of brain
life.
nurturing and stimulating environment
development.
We know from research on infant
encourages the growth of these
According to neurologists, 90 percent
brain development that the brain grows
connections and lays the foundation for
of human brain growth occurs by age
primarily by connections between
healthy physical, emotional and mental
three. However, reading to children at
neurons, or nerve cells.
development.
any age provides stimulation that is
These connections make it possible to
The issue of early childhood
crucial to brain development.
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
81
Because of the impact reading can
State Chamber of Commerce, spearhead
stimulation. A baby's intelligence can be
have on children's lives, the West
Read To Me as an opportunity to
increased or decreased by how parents
Virginia Kids Count Fund endorses the
promote awareness of the importance of
interact with the child.
third annual "Read To Me" day April 29
reading to children every day.
This fact makes Read To Me day all
throughout the state.
Although babies learn from the
the more important as parents, educators
West Virginia Public Television, the
moment they are born, the brain of a baby
and the business community see the
state Library Commission, Read Aloud
that lacks appropriate stimulation, such
importance of what they do and how it
West Virginia, the West Virginia
as being read to, played with, or touched
affects their children.
Association of Elementary and Middle
and held, will not develop as well as the
Crist is communications director of
School Principals, and the West Virginia
brain of a baby who receives such
the West Virginia Kids Count Fund.
99. The Las Vegas Review-Journal
04/24/98; Edition: Final; Section: EDITORIALS; Page 15b
Casinos vs. schools
By Ken Ward
taxes on the $2,000 win - and eat the
tax as the state's chief source of revenue.
Who says casinos don't care about
$500 net loss.
And, contrary to popular myth, only
education? They care plenty when
Sens. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid,
about a quarter of those sales taxes are
confronted with a plan to fund
D-Casino, responded in full battle mode.
paid by tourists.
scholarships through abolition of the
They expressed outrage at this accounting
As if that weren't enough, casino
gaming tax deduction.
assault on their monied patrons in the
mogul Steve Wynn got the 1997
Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., doesn't like
gaming industry. They pointed out,
Legislature to enact a tax break on
the idea that gamblers can write hundreds
correctly, that deductions are standard tax
publicly displayed art. He recently sold
of millions of dollars off their federal
policy for activities that generate taxable
about $74 million in company stock, and
taxes each year. He figures that money
income.
his ensuing purchase of pricey paintings
could be better spent helping low-income
But does that make it right when we're
for the Bellagio will qualify him for a tax
children exercise school choice.
talking about an activity that is
reduction.
The Hoosier lawmaker's scheme was a
essentially nonproductive and ultimately
A few people, including state Sen. Joe
clever device to keep Republicans in the
degenerate?
Neal, have questioned this arrangement.
education debate. Alas, he folded his
Whatever the merits of Coats'
The North Las Vegas Democrat and
hand when fellow senators, notably
educational agenda, he exposed the tax
gubernatorial candidate says that such
Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.,
deduction for the crass shell game it is.
artful deals shortchange the state and,
bailed out this week. But Coats has
To put it another way, casinos are getting
inevitably, take dollars away from
resurrected a question that won't go
fat and the feds are providing the slop.
schools.
away: Why should unlucky gamblers be
The charade is particularly egregious
Would our Education Governor really
subsidized by the U.S. Treasury?
in Nevada, where the gaming tax has
let that happen? Perhaps. Yet one thing is
Currently, a player who hits a $2,000
been stuck at 6.25 percent since 1989.
certain: No one at the state level is
jackpot doesn't have to pay any taxes if
During that time, hundreds of other taxes
coming up with a dime to help Nevada's
he, say, also loses $2,500. Under Coats'
and levies have gone up on individuals.
schools keep pace with the explosive and
erstwhile bill, that person would pay
Sales taxes have surpassed the gaming
ongoing demand for new classrooms.
Instead, the Clark County School
when they approved previous bonds.
federal subsidies to cut in an effort to
District will be asking voters this fall to
But back to Washington. Sen. Coats
fund Coats' scholarship program. Most
pass a $2 billion construction bond. It
has obviously set off the casino alarms.
magnanimous.
will be cleverly advertised as a "tax
Lott & Co. have answered the bell this
Thus the industry's message is clear:
freeze" because it pledges no increases
time. And American Gaming Association
We care about education just don't
for 10 years. That, of course, is marketing
President Frank Fahrenkopf, a Nevadan
expect it to come out of our pocket.
obfuscation. What it really means is that
who formerly served as chairman of the
Ken Ward is a free-lance writer who
your property taxes won't go down,
Republican National Committee,
covers education.
something that voters were promised
helpfully offered support in seeking other
100. Portland Oregonian
04/25/98; Edition: SUNRISE; Section: EDITORIAL; Page E09
CHARTER SCHOOLS IMPROVE EDUCATION
THROUGH COMPETITION AND CHOICE
Congress is debating the merits of a
allow the use of tax dollars for private
parents should be permitted to choose
school voucher system, which would
education. Many Republicans claim that
their children's schools, even if that
[Tape Restoration Project Hex-Dump Conversion]
82
means opting out of the public education
overcrowding, especially in urban areas.
environments for learning.
system. Most Democrats argue that
Charter schools are essentially
Charter schools bring needed
vouchers would lead to widespread
deregulated public schools that are given
competition and choice to our
abandonment of public education. But a
the freedom to develop innovative
educational system, yet unlike vouchers,
middle ground exists in this argument:
methods of teaching. If we passed a
charters affirm our country's commitment
charter schools.
charter-school bill here in Oregon,
to public education. Charter schools
Twenty-seven states and the District of
parents would have the option of
encompass the strengths of vouchers
Columbia now host charter schools. (A
enrolling their children in either a charter
without depleting the resources of public
bill authorizing charter schools in Oregon
school or a mainline school. Charter
education.
narrowly failed to pass in the last
schools therefore upgrade educational
STATE SEN. TOM HARTUNG
legislative session.) Success stories
standards by forcing schools to compete
Chairman,
Senate
Education
abound on how these schools have
against one another and by attracting new
Committee Northwest Portland
improved education and alleviated
educators who can provide challenging
101. The Columbus Dispatch
04/25/98; Edition: Home Final; Section: EDITORIAL & COMMENT; Page 09A
PROPOSAL IS WRONG WAY TO PAY FOR
EDUCATION
The conditions that brought the
how to administer the funds. Fortunately,
1999. Yet provisions are made for only
school-funding suit before the Ohio
in its eagerness to avoid responsibility,
$3,851. Even in 2000, the amount
Supreme Court are straightforward. An
the General Assembly has given voters
specified is below the 1999 base.
inequality exists in the education
the option to turn the plan down.
Assuming 2 percent to 3 percent
available to children in poorer districts
The voters rejected what was
inflation, the amount still is insufficient
compared with that in wealthier districts.
perceived to a be a flawed workers'
in 2001, and only in 2002 does it
This inequality results from an
compensation law. The same fate should
approach the base plus inflation.
overreliance on the property tax for
befall State Issue 2, the current
Ninety percent of the districts spend
school funding. The goal should be to
school-funding proposal.
more than the base amounts. Do
shift toward a larger contribution from
Some say that the legislature raised
legislators really think that all those
the state, together with a base-line
too little money. When using the
school district officials so love levy
contribution from every community.
legislature's own numbers, this view
campaigns that they propose them for
The first task was to decide what
appears to be right. In House Bill 650
unnecessary programs?
constitutes an adequate education and its
(the implementation bill) $4,063 per
cost. After that, how to fund itand then
pupil is set as the necessary base for
There are others who say that the tax
necessary to prepare students for global
homeowners benefit. If levies are made
is not necessary. For 1999, they are
competition?
less necessary, all would benefit renters,
probably right, but what about down the
Cutting the reliance on theproperty tax
whose landlords would not have to pass
line? Their projections are based on an
can be achieved in two ways:
on the tax, as well as business, which
ever-expanding economy. If this did not
Give a rebate to homeowners, as State
would not see its real estate and personal
occur, then cuts in other state services
Issue 2 proposes.
property taxes increased.
would be necessary. Most notably,
Give sufficient funds to the schools to
Abramo Ottolenghi, former member
published figures show deep cuts in
diminish the need for levies.
Worthington Board of Education
higher education. Does it make sense to
The current proposal is unfair. A sales
Worthington
have to cut the top of the educational
tax is very regressive and all are taxed but
pyramid at a time when more education is
the rebate is given to only a few. Only
102. San Antonio Express-News
04/26/98; Edition: Metro; Section: Editorial; Page 02G
Affirmative action need starts early
By Veronica Flores
Hers is the story seldom heard when
should be.
Foes of affirmative action in higher
talk turns to affirmative action.
Her lessons in various subjects
education should get to know a little girl
Lisa is the symbol of an uneven
regularly consist of a teacher handing out
I'll call Lisa. The grade-schooler,
playing field. For affirmative action
copies of a page from a workbook.
Hispanic and from a poor family, attends
opponents, Lisa's story isn't even on their
Students complete the sheet and turn it in
classes in an inner-city public school and
radar. But if they want to eliminate the
at the end of class. No more, no less, as if
her future is anything but bright.
need for affirmative action programs, it
a teacher could do any less. Lisa will be
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83
lucky if she is motivated enough to make
education.
case. But the ruling of the 5th U.S.
it through high school.
Money buys good teachers, nice
Circuit Court of Appeals indicates the
It would be an overly broad
buildings, good books and equipment.
judges didn't get it.
generalization to say all inner-city public
And if you think the latter three have
The architects of affirmative action in
schools in Texas operate this way. Most
nothing to do with a student's ability to
higher education, a patronizing lot who
do the best they can. A few shine. But
do well in school, try sitting in class with
meant well, didn't think of it either. Had
more than 30 years after schools were
rusty science equipment while water
they, public education in this entire
desegregated and affluent folks, then
drips on your head.
nation would be in less of a sorry state
mostly Anglos but today a rainbow of
What does any of this have to do with
and there would be less need for
hues, took their money and their children
affirmative action?
race-based solutions.
to the suburbs, students in the inner city
It's the front end of the school bus -
Remedies now come too late for the
still are in poorly funded, segregated
arguably, the most critical part - that
many generations that have fallen
campuses.
those who are so quick to kill affirmative
through the cracks of public education in
Observers often point to the disparities
action in higher education don't consider.
this state. And it's almost too late for
that remain between the quality of
They don't make the connection between
Lisa. But Latino children soon will be the
education offered in such school districts
the quality of public education and a
majority in the state's public schools,
as Edgewood and Alamo Heights. The
child's readiness for college. The state
together with black children making up a
respectively poor and rich systems have
attorney general's office made the
majority minority. Will we wait until it's
come to exemplify the gaps in public
connection when it argued the Hopwood
too late for them?
103. Philadelphia Inquirer
April 28, 1998
The threat to take over Philadelphia's schools
I really hope Gov. Ridge follows through
years, but now that the economic
Without school vouchers to offer real
and takes over Philadelphia's public
expansion has finally reached the
educational opportunities, and with
schools (Inquirer, April 22).
mid-Atlantic region, families are seizing
nothing but pennies cut from the wage
While the magnet schools are terrific,
the chance to sell their houses and get
tax, the financial penalties on
the pathetic elementary schools keep
out. Friend after friend has told me this
middle-class families are far too great for
pushing a large portion of the middle
spring that their house is on the market.
any but the uppermost few to bear.
class - those who cannot afford two,
Mayor Rendell has squandered the
When will we stop pushing our last
three or more private-school tuitions -
opportunity to restructure the city in a
hope out of town?
right out into the suburbs.
way that will attract - not repel -
Michael Woods
This exodus had slowed for several
taxpaying middle-class residents.
Philadelphia
From the outset, it was no secret that
My son attends first grade at Thomas
and psychological understanding of the
the "Children Achieving" plan of
Holme Elementary. I volunteer in his
situation.
Philadelphia School Superintendent
classroom as often as I can. I see
Ted Galen Carpenter, of the Cato
David Hornbeck was going to be
firsthand that, contrary to what State
Institute, worries that U.S. troops might
expensive. But those in power over
House Majority Leader John M. Perzel
very well die defending those countries
Hornbeck have tied his hands. They've
(R., Phila.) says, the Philadelphia School
(presently, the Czech Republic, Poland
given him a job to do, but not enough
District is not "a total failure." The
and Hungary). Isn't it clear that troops of
money to do it. Now they plan on
teachers and staff at my son's school are
those countries might very well die
stripping away his authority as well
very dedicated, but their efforts would be
defending other NATO countries,
(Inquirer, April 22). I'm very surprised he
more successful with more money
including ours? Fighting against Nazi
hasn't walked away in disgust.
available. Cutting down the class size
Germany, didn't Czech fliers fight for
Yes, Children Achieving is an
alone would give all children a
Great Britain, didn't Czech and Polish
expensive plan, but it is obvious that the
tremendous advantage.
soldiers die in the battles of World War
old way wasn't working. The state has
Give David Hornbeck a chance before
II, while some countries who are already
wasted so much money in the past, why
he quits and walks away.
members of NATO did very little or
not give Hornbeck enough money to
Laura Brook Neubauer
nothing for the defense of Europe?
implement his plan and see what
Philadelphia
Czechoslovakia was created with the
happens? Give him enough rope to hang
Czechs, Poles deserve NATO As a
considerable help and understanding of
himself, or give him the chance to fail. I
Czech, I am horrified by the voices
President Woodrow Wilson, and it
have a feeling we will all be pleasantly
against the planned expansion of NATO
developed into one of the more splendid
surprised.
(Inquirer, April 20).
democracies between the wars. It was let
Our superintendent came into his
The critics demonstrate very little
down by the Munich agreement and by
position with some excellent ideas, and
political wisdom and a lack of knowledge
the agreement of Yalta, both without the
he hasn't been allowed to put many of
of the political and historical
presence of any Czech representative. It
them into action. If things stay the same,
development and the importance of the
was let down in 1968 when the Russians
how does anyone expect anything to ever
Central European region. Some are
invaded the country that started to be too
change?
incredibly nearsighted, lacking sensitivity
independent under the leadership of
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84
Alexander Dubcek.
man such as he would find Marxism
The fact that the proposals are limited
Which European countries have
appealing. Its rhetoric was full of ideas
to judicial elections is understandable,
shown as much dedication to defending
about equality, and it held the working
considering the lack of power inherent in
democracy and freedom as the Czechs
man in high esteem. We must not forget
the Supreme Court on this issue.
and the Poles? They were already
that in the 1930s this country was in the
Nevertheless, it would seem that the first
accepted by all NATO members except
midst of a terrible Depression. Robeson
step should be to address the need for
us. Should we be the only ones rejecting
was not alone in thinking that maybe
campaign-finance reform in all statewide
them? Should we be again responsible for
Karl Marx had a better way.
elections. The members of the
a divided Europe?
But it was not until 1950 that our
Pennsylvania judiciary are the least
J. Klugar
government chose to revoke his passport,
inclined to abuse their power as elected
Lansdale
crippling his career as a performer.
officials. Why focus on them first?
Judging Paul Robeson Frank Tempone
Contrary to Tempone's opinion, that
The current system of financing
(Letters, April 24) chooses to compare
indeed is attributable to McCarthyism.
elections must be scrapped. Mere
Nazism to communism in what appears to
Tempone ends his letter saying that a
tinkering will not suffice in addressing
be an attempt to forgive the way this
man must be judged by all his actions. I
the problem. The public rightfully
country treated one of its greatest men,
agree. But if we are to do so, let's not
believes that politicians are bought and
Paul Robeson.
pretend that being a communist is the
sold by the wealthy and by
To paraphrase Tempone, let us
moral equivalent of being a Nazi.
special-interest groups. It is indeed sad
imagine an American entertainer in the
Stephen C. Prentice
- but perfectly understandable - that
1930s who, despite being an
West Chester Overhaul campaign
our citizens are disillusioned, frustrated
all-American end in football, a member
financing While it is refreshing to see
and downright apathetic regarding
of Phi Beta Kappa, the valedictorian of
someone actually attempting to address
elections.
his class at Rutgers University, and
the need for judicial campaign-finance
To restore the citizens' faith and
earning a law degree from Columbia
reform (Inquirer, April 16), it is a shame
continued participation in the democratic
University, is still treated as a
that the approach is so limited and that a
process, we must insist on fundamental
second-class citizen in his own country.
glaring loophole exists in the proposal.
changes in the way we finance the
Imagine turning to the entertainment field
In terms of the report submitted by the
election of all public officials.
largely because of racism in the first
special Supreme Court panel, the
P. Andrew Schaum
place. One of the final insults he endured
proposed monetary limits should also
West Chester
as a lawyer was from a stenographer who
apply to the candidates and their families.
A day to pray All through history,
refused to take dictation from a black
If you do not apply the monetary limits to
America has turned to God in times of
man.
them, an uneven playing field will
conflict and in peace. Yet we are
It's very easy to say now, after the
continue to exist. The wealthy will
systematically removing mention of God
demise of the Soviet Union, that Paul
continue to have a distinct advantage in
from our children's training. What can
Robeson was wrong about communism.
judicial elections. The special panel
bring America back? Prayer can.
But it's also very understandable why a
should close this loophole immediately.
The first Thursday of May is the
150 parking spaces under the Regional
Center. Build a high-quality supermarket
National Day of Prayer. Designated since
Performing Arts Center is not adequate
on the current parking lot on the
1988, this is a great opportunity for all
for the needs of the public (Letters, April
northwest corner. The lot is large enough
Americans to unite in recognition of our
21).
to include parking for supermarket
incredible need for God. The theme for
I propose the following: Demolish the
patrons.
May 7 is "America, Return to God." It is
woefully inadequate Food Rite market on
This proposal offers solutions to three
only through the working of God within
the southwest corner of 15th and Spruce
problems: It provides parking for the
our society, our laws, our judgments and
Streets, along with the three other stores:
RPAC. It provides all-weather access to
our hearts that America will know the
a Chinese restaurant, a vacant store and a
the center. And it provides a
healing of God's power upon our land.
pizza restaurant. Build a multilevel
much-needed modern supermarket for
William H. Woehr
parking garage on this site with an
those of us who live in the area.
Warrington
enclosed bridge over 15th Street, directly
William A. Loeb
Arts center parking plan I agree that
connecting to the Performing Arts
Philadelphia
104. Orlando Sentinel
04/27/98; Edition: METRO; Section: EDITORIAL; Page All
15 YEARS LATER, A NATION AND ITS SCHOOLS
STILL AT RISK
By Tait Trussell
the country 15 Aprils ago. Tragically, we
subtitled "An Imperative for Educational
Special to The Sentinel
are still at risk, as shoddy academic
Reform," was issued by the National
'Our nation is at risk."
records keep piling up in Central Florida
Commission on Excellence in Education
Those were the first words of a
and elsewhere in the United States.
on April 26, 1983.
historic educational document that jarred
The "A Nation at Risk" report,
Its purpose was to "define the
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85
problems afflicting American education
on high schools, declared dramatically:
work that determines how much and how
and to provide solutions."
"The educational foundations of our
well you learn."
"Children born today," stated the
society are presently being eroded by a
But many of the recommendations
report, "can expect to graduate from high
rising tide of mediocrity.
If
an
have been brushed aside.
school in the year 2000." But, alas,
unfriendly foreign power had attempted
How has the nation progressed
one-third of the class of 2000 in Central
to impose on America the mediocre
educationally during these past 15 years?
Florida is on the brink of failure, the
educational performance that exists
Not just Florida is lagging
latest grades show. New state standards
today, we might well have viewed it as an
academically. A 21-nation survey, the
applied to freshmen for the first time last
act of war."
Third International Mathematics and
year dictate that they must have a C
Among other findings, the report
Science Study released a few weeks ago,
average to graduate from high school.
stated, "About 13 percent of all
showed that high-school seniors
In Lake County, for example, 40
17-year-olds in the United States can be
throughout America ranked near the
percent of freshmen had D or F averages.
considered functionally illiterate.
bottom in international test scores in
A recent poll of Leesburg High School
Functional illiteracy among minority
advanced mathematics and physics.
students found that many of them
youth may run as high as 40 percent."
According to the National Center for
expected school to be "easy" and "fun."
The report called for greatly
Education Statistics, 17-year-olds were
Alternative schools have been started to
strengthened graduation requirements,
reading slightly more at home than in
help some of the at-risk kids. Some
including four years of English, three of
years past but also were spending more
Orange County students receive remedial
mathematics and three of science and
time in front of the television. Their
help with reading when they enter high
social studies; a longer school day or
proficiency in mathematics and science
school.
school year; school discipline
had increased a bit. But a gap still
Money spent per pupil nationally has
"consistently enforced"; more qualified
remained between whites and minorities.
more than doubled since the "At Risk"
teachers paid on the basis of
The typical school year is still 180
report was issued. And the Florida
performance; and minimal federal
days. Half of all 12th-graders still take no
Legislature has just approved new
"intrusiveness."
science courses. One of three takes no
spending, averaging $197 a year more per
It also warned parents that their
math during the final year of high school.
student.
children should be "of strong character
The head of the National Education
But the real problem in public
and well educated in the use of language,
Association, the country's largest teachers
education has not been financial as much
science, and mathematics" and
union, Bob Chase, complained that
as structural, with too few effective
"disciplined work" with "more
teachers' salaries are too low to attract
incentives and expectations for improved
demanding courses."
qualified instructors. So, 28 percent of
student performance, according to most
To students, the report stated: "Even
high-school math teachers and 55 percent
researchers.
with your parents' best example and your
of physics teachers don't have college
The report of 15 years ago, focusing
teachers' best efforts, in the end it is your
degrees in the subject they teach.
Meanwhile, reportedly 500,000 jobs
many computer and software
largely Asians whose culture gives a high
in the information-sciences field are open
manufacturers. Some 23 percent of the
priority to education and disciplined
in California's Silicon Valley, home of
workers there now are immigrants,
learning, which America has yet to do.
105. Orlando Sentinel
04/27/98; Edition: METRO; Section: EDITORIAL; Page A10
BILINGUAL EDUCATION TRANSLATES INTO A
REAL PLUS FOR EVERYONE
By Myriam Marquez
area. By fifth grade Garcia was totally
month to get a commitment from the
of The Sentinel Staff
fluent in English and a great academic
superintendent and school-board
Veronica Garcia has to make a decision
performer.
members that they won't dismantle
soon. Should she go to Emory University
"A child needs to learn certain
bilingual-education programs. The
in Atlanta or the University of Florida?
material by a certain age," she said. "IfI
board's chambers were packed with
The 23-year-old University of Central
had not had the help of the bilingual
people whose children are being taught
Florida graduate applied and has been
program, I would have fallen behind in
English as a second language.
accepted to attend medical school at
science and math and social studies."
Sister Ann Kendrick and Sister Cathy
Emory University, UF and more. Not bad
Blecks St. Hubert also praises the
Gorman, two Catholic nuns who run the
for a kid with dirt-poor roots, the product
bilingual program that helped him
Office for Farmworker Ministry in
of her farmworker-parents' labor of love.
succeed in school. He recently was
Apopka, wanted the board to see how
"I couldn't have gotten where I am
elected a student-government senator at
much those parents care about their kids
without the bilingual-education
Valencia Community College, the first
getting ahead in school.
program," Garcia told me recently. She
Haitian student to win such a prestigious
For months there had been rumors that
began the bilingual program in second
seat.
Superintendent Dennis Smith was being
grade at Apopka Elementary School. Her
Garcia and St. Hubert went before the
pressured by some school principals and
Mexican parents had just moved to the
Orange County School Board earlier this
administrators to give up on bilingual
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86
programs. Back in February, Smith told
children aren't progressing in English.
why we're seeding the idea of having
me that he supports bilingual education,
That's not the type of program that
more elementary schools involved in
so long as there are clear goals and
helps children succeed in this country,
second-language acquisition for
timetables to ensure that children are
and Sisters Ann and Cathy made that
English-speaking students."
learning English.
clear to the board, too.
Sutherland is right on the mark. We
He figured that the rumors took off
Nonetheless, the sisters were worried.
know from child-development research
because he used to be in the school
There had been a proposed name change
that young children can learn many
system in California, where a voter
for the bilingual program, which Sister
languages simultaneously and that it
referendum may do away with bilingual
Ann said could signal "subtle shifts in
helps children better understand other
education.
value or direction" of the program.
disciplines, such as math and science.
California's bilingual programs are a
Orange County School Board member
This is a wonderful nation. A strong
mixed bag. Some work well for kids,
Linda Sutherland promised that the
nation. There's no reason American
many of whom move back and forth
school system here is committed to
children of every background can't be
between Mexico and California. But lots
expanding bilingual education - not
learning more than one language. It can
of those programs are so focused on
gutting it. "I'm such a strong believer that
only help keep America strong. Ask
keeping kids fluent in Spanish that the
all children should be bilingual, which is
Veronica Garcia.
106. Chicago Tribune
04/27/98; Edition: NORTH SPORTS FINAL; N; Section: COMMENTARY; Page 14
MINORITY WOES AT UIC MEDICAL SCHOOL
By Marsha Brazley M.D.
Chicago. The editorial found it ironic that
underrepresentation of minorities in the
Secretary, Cook County
Physicians
a dozen past and present minority
health professions and now doesn't know
Association.
medical students have filed complaints of
how to carry out that mandate.
Whoever wrote the editorial "Biting the
racial discrimination.
The UIC does enroll more minority
hand that feeds them" (March 7)
What is ironic is that after being sued
students than any other public medical
obviously is unaware of what is being
year after year for unfair practices, the
school in the state, but it also enrolls
dished out to "them" in the College of
UIC administration has not corrected its
more whites than any other public
Medicine and other Health Science
policies. And that the university applied
medical school.
Colleges at the University of Illinois at
for additional resources to alleviate the
UIC's obligation to deal with the
utilized to help those students for whom
Medicine. I doubt that with the number
under-representation of minorities in the
it was intended. In fact, more than $10
of tenured-track minority faculty forced
health profession is the result of a
million disbursed to the university and its
out of this public institution annually
contractual obligation that the university
six health-professions colleges has not
there would be enough left to mentor that
sought through the Illinois State Board of
been accounted for. A good question
25 percent of the student body to whom
Higher Education. In essence the
would be, "Where is the money, and how
you refer.
university has said to the taxpayers,
was it spent"?
UIC has many serious problems
"Give us the money and we will
The editorial stated that the college is
related to issues concerning minority
effectively and efficiently perform the
mentoring minorities, but who are these
medical students, minority faculty/staff
duty of improving the representation of
mentors? Are they Latino and
and accountability of funds mandated to
African-American, Latino and Native
African-American faculty? Are they
the institution for the Urban Health
Americans in the health field."
knowledgeable about the plight of blacks
Program. The issues raised by the
UIC received upwards of $1.2 million
in a white-dominated society?
students and staff should prompt UIC to
a year in state and federal funds to rectify
I doubt that's the case when there are
evaluate its existing policies and
ethnic disparity in the health-service
fewer than three tenured black and Latino
procedures. Those UIC administrators
profession. We don't have adequate
salaried faculty among the approximately
responsible for the current situation
documentation that this money was
300 tenured faculty in the College of
should be replaced.
107. The Washington Post
04/28/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: OP-ED; Page A17
The Educational Importance of Race
By Lee Bollinger and Nancy Cantor
Americans and white Americans often
There were no countervailing institutions
Until fairly recently, our society
learned about each other by relying on
to perform the function of education and
enforced the separation of the races in
unfounded images and stereotypes.
understanding. By design, we did not
virtually all important areas - social,
Demeaning and hurtful images
know each other.
economic, political and educational. As a
proliferated in the media, in textbooks, in
In the decades since Brown vs. Board
result of racial isolation, African
movies and on radio and television.
of Education, institutions of higher
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87
education have strongly influenced a
now that we have the design in place, we
those who may not have had full
change in this design. They have opened
have begun to know each other.
opportunity to manifest their talent
their doors and aggressively recruited
Institutions of higher education have
(immigrants, for example), those who
minority students - African Americans
pursued a conception of education that
have served the country (e.g., veterans),
at first, and then other underrepresented
emphasizes the joys of variety and the
or who have unconventional talents. They
minority students, to create remarkably
benefits of engaging those with different
must be responsive to the communities
diverse student bodies.
experiences and perspectives. This means
from which they derive (e.g., state
TD Today, with a campus where nearly
we ask of every applicant: What will you
residents) as well as to the nation itself
14 percent of students are African
contribute to the whole, not where do you
(through geographic diversity).
American, Hispanic and Native
stand in splendid, isolated comparison
The CIR lawsuit presumes that
American, the University of Michigan is
with everyone else?
admissions is an atomized process in
the target of a lawsuit that seeks to
A first-class education is one that
which each applicant is evaluated
prohibit us from ensuring a racially
creates the opportunity for students,
according to his or her "qualifications"
diverse student body by using race as one
expecting differences, to learn instead of
and measured against every other
factor in admissions. The suit, brought by
similarities. Likewise, encountering
applicant. They offer up grids that have
the Center for Individual Rights (CIR), is
differences rather than one's mirror
been used in our undergraduate
at the center of a great public debate over
image, is an essential part of a good
admissions process. These grids assign
one of the most important issues of our
education. Race is educationally
different weights to a variety of factors -
time: how our governing constitutional
important for all students, because
academic grade-point average, test
principles permit us to use race to
understanding race in America is a
scores, alumni relationship, race,
achieve a truly integrated society.
powerful metaphor for crossing
residency and so on - that help us make
Virtually all institutions with selective
sensibilities of all kinds.
an admissions decision. Different
admissions consider race when they
Our public universities have always
outcomes will follow, depending on any
choose among applicants who experience
cast a wide net in admitting students.
variety of factors. CIR's real argument is
shows can thrive in and contribute to a
Selecting a student body is not a simple
not with our use of these grids. There are
more vital educational environment. This
matter of drawing a line though some
no grids in the law school process, yet
practice was explicitly upheld against
rank ordering of individual applications.
CIR challenges our use of race there, too.
constitutional challenge in the Supreme
Universities have been especially
Rather, to CIR the fact that race is one of
Court's 1978 decision in University of
watchful for merit wherever it is found.
these factors at all is what makes the
California V. Bakke - and wisely so, for
They have been alert to the potential of
process unacceptable.
CIR's challenge to "affirmative action"
of universities and the nature of merit.
the significant drop in minority
in higher education is a challenge to our
They also rest on a profoundly mistaken
admissions at the most selective
philosophy of education and to the
conception of education and the role of
institutions in the University of
historical purposes of our great public
race in a modern education.
California system, which operates under
universities. Implicit in its claim is a
CIR seeks to eliminate all
an affirmative action ban.
presumption that we admit some students
consideration of race in college
The country cannot afford to deprive
who are not qualified. Let us be clear: All
admissions. If it is successful, as it was in
institutions of higher education of the
students admitted to the University of
an earlier lawsuit against the University
ability to educate generations of young
Michigan meet threshold requirements
of Texas, we will in all probability soon
Americans — minority and nonminority
establishing that they are fully qualified
return to a largely segregated system -
- in an environment that enables all to
to do the work of a demanding
de facto rather than de jure, to be sure,
flourish, and understand each other, in a
undergraduate program. That being the
but segregated nonetheless. The
truly integrated society.
case, surely CIR's objectives rest onan
University of Texas Law School now has
Lee Bollinger is president of the
oversimplified idea of what is, in fact, a
only four entering African American
University of Michigan. Nancy Cantor is
complex process of selecting students, as
students, where former classes had more
the university's provost.
well as on a constricted view of the role
than 30. We are particularly alarmed at
108. The New York Times
04/28/98Section: Editorial Desk; Section A; Page 18, Column 6
After-School Help
To the Editor:
in 66 public elementary schools through
one-third of elementary schools - by
An April 23 news article on Schools
the Y.M.C.A.'s Virtual Y after-school
2000, strong testimony to the business
Chancellor Rudy Crew's proposal to
literacy program. Every day some 3,000
community's commitment to boost
require New York City schoolchildren to
second, third and fourth graders stay after
scholastic achievement in New York.
meet minimum academic standards by
school to concentrate on reading and
BENJAMIN R. JACOBSON
fourth and seventh grades notes that
getting homework help.
Chmn., Y.M.C.A. of Greater N.Y.
outside assistance will be needed to
Sponsors of Virtual Y sites, primarily
New York, April 24, 1998
achieve this goal.
large corporations, will enable us to
TD Such assistance is already in place
establish the program in 200 schools -
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88
109. The Wall Street Journal
04/28/98
Let Those Who Can, Teach
By Paula Sullivan
of teaching is poor. So now, in order to
and to spend the whole three hours of the
Many people rightly perceive that not
raise academic standards, and to meet a
exam on sections they had previously
enough public-school teachers know their
projected shortage of teachers in the next
failed.
subject well. Nationwide, 36% of
decade, President Clinton and some
Rather than continue to pour money
teachers didn't major, or even minor, in
congressmen propose to spend hundreds
into the teachers colleges, the
the subject they teach. In my state of
of millions of dollars on grants and
government ought to recruit from the
California, half the math teachers and
scholarships for teachers colleges.
large surplus of people with graduate
more than half the physical science
TD But academic standards for teacher
degrees in academic fields. There are so
teachers did not even minor in their
credentialing are not being raised. On the
many unemployed and underemployed
subject in college. Someone with a
contrary. A few years ago, California,
holders of master's degrees or doctorates,
teaching credential in physical education
which often sets trends for the rest of the
whose dream was to teach. Colleges now
can teach math and science - but not
nation, removed algebra and geometry
exploit them as cheap labor, hiring them
someone with a graduate degree in math
from the math section of its written
as "adjunct" instructors - low-paid
or science.
CBEST exam, the final step for a
part-timers with no job security or health
The rule in most states is that only
multiple-subject teaching credential, after
benefits. They now make up 42% of all
people certified by teachers colleges are
a lawsuit was filed on behalf of
college faculty, up from 25% two
allowed to teach in elementary and
minorities, who disproportionately failed
decades ago. Many highly educated
secondary schools. A teaching credential
the math section. Even before the state
people reluctantly leave teaching in order
is considered more important than
scrapped algebra and geometry, would-be
to earn a decent living.
knowledge of an academic subject, with a
teachers were already allowed to retake
predictable result: The academic quality
the exam an unlimited number of times
Adjunct instructors often end up
having the students read quietly to
the profitable business of churning out
teaching remedial courses. I have a
themselves for a while. "Computer-aided
new teachers to fill a shortage created in
Harvard doctorate in English and teach
instruction" and the "whole language"
part by their monopoly on teacher
remedial reading to unprepared
approach to reading have conveniently
certification.
community-college students - some of
made it unnecessary for English teachers
Many budget-conscious school
whom plan to transfer to a nearby school
to know grammar.
superintendents,
too,
prefer
of education and become teachers.
I inquired of the three schools of
inexperienced new recruits from teachers
Adjunct instructors get experience
education in my area and learned that to
colleges because they are malleable and
teaching high-school-level and even
get a teaching credential I would need to
start out at the bottom of the pay scale.
elementary-school-level courses in
take a year of education courses followed
But often the taxpayers have spent a lot
reading, writing and math to college
by a year of practice teaching, at a cost of
of money on scholarships to train them.
students. Yet they are not allowed to
about $10,000. Although I have done five
The interests of the public, however,
teach the same subjects in a public
years of graduate work in English and
diverge from those of the education
school.
three years of full-time teaching at a
bureaucracy. Students taught where the
Why not allow people with master's
college, the education bureaucracy
teaching credential is not required - in
degrees or doctorates to teach courses in
considers me no more qualified than
private schools, parochial schools and
their fields in the public schools? Such
someone with a freshly minted bachelor's
homes - score higher on standardized
people have the advantage of being
degree.
tests. The impetus behind the
academic achievers who know their
Mine is a view you don't often hear,
school-voucher movement is largely a
material. And teaching itself is not the
for journalists and policy makers usually
desire for better teachers. Meanwhile,
dauntingly complex job that professional
rely on education "experts" who represent
there is a wealth of academic talent
educators would have us believe. Indeed,
of schools of education and teachers
waiting to be tapped by our public
I suspect that the heavy use of jargon and
unions and thus have a vested interest in
schools.
acronyms by professional educators
the current system. Teachers unions
-
serves no other purpose than to snow the
understand supply and demand and are
Ms. Sullivan is an adjunct instructor
general public. One touted pedagogical
all too happy to keep in place the
of English at Kings River Community
technique is "sustained silent reading,"
teaching profession's rigid barriers to
College in Reedley, Calif.
which, in plain English, simply means
entry. Schools of education want to keep
110. The New York Times
04/26/98Section: New Jersey Weekly Desk; Section 14NJ; Page 1, Column 3
Be Careful What You Wish For
By IVER PETERSON
brilliant daughter decided at last. She
bathroom, which has the brightest lights
"IT'S in Spanish," the mother of the
held the letter up to the light in the kid's
in the house, teen-agers being pretty
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89
unafraid of what the mirror shows. The
But who worries about the parents?
chance to retire by 75.
letter was unopened, of course, and
They know from personal experience that
The parents believe a good college
addressed to the daughter, and its return
even the most disappointed Harvard
may at least buy her a good life, or at
address mentioned an important college
applicant ends up loving her days at
least good choices, and happiness. And
and the words Office of Admissions.
Duke or Pitzer or Penn State. They know
they labor under the yoke of pride. A
Reading a folded letter inside an
that however bad the disappointment, the
lifetime spent extolling first words, first
envelope is hard, but the mother is good
worst thing facing seniors is the prospect
walks, first violin in school orchestra,
at it, except when the typing seems to
of moving to a place where they can hang
first in her class, or almost, naturally
spell "Ysidro esta noce." Of course, the
with their friends 24 hours a day, not just
accustoms a parent to expect the right
letter turned out to be in English, and to
the 16 hours or so allotted in high school.
some day to drop one of those heavy,
say something else.
At 18, being rejected by your first choice
conversation-stopping names at parties.
This is supposed to be a time of high
hardly qualifies as a life-changing
Something like "Oh, she's just fine. She's
tension for high school seniors as they
experience.
a freshman at
And here we do not
await final word from the colleges. Each
But for parents, like those peering at
mention names because that particular
day they scan the mail on the kitchen
someone else's mail in the bathroom, the
envelope has not yet arrived.
counter with dread; they create telephone
early-April wait is much more fraught.
Worst of all, parents lose a child after
trees to spread the news of who got in
The most competitive colleges are also
high school, and so they pull against her
where, and who did not, and, as good
the most expensive, as a rule, so the
yearning for freedom with the hope that
news and bad arrives, they must
letters in the creamiest envelopes with the
she will choose a school within a
continually adjust their dreams and their
most subtly embossed seals always come
reasonable distance - something, say,
priorities: if not this one, then that one?
as a two-edged sword: acceptance and
no farther than she can go in a single day
No wonder they become testy.
pride with penury, or rejection and a
on Amtrak.
So the parents, too, scan the mail.
begin, "We are sorry to inform you," or
To prolong the agony, intermediate
They quickly learn that admissions letters
"After much consideration." They could
letters inform the daughter that she is not
come in two sizes, the good size and the
be gibberish after those words, for no one
in or out but on a waiting list, kept in line
bad size. The good size is as big as a
has the heart to read further.
but at the back of it, and given a chance
sales folder for a retirement community,
But wait. Not all thin letters are all
at a space someone else doesn't want. By
and it removes any suspense by carrying
bad, and this is the reason conscientious
this time, colleges that have said yes are
little stickers that say "You're invited!" or
parents sometimes casually hold their
trying to force an answer, calling up and
"California, here you come," or, at the
children's' mail up to the light. A small
leaving an 800 number for the daughter
classier places, just the word "Yes!"
New England school got everyone's
to call. One sent a T-shirt; another is
Acceptance packages have to be fat
hearts in their throats three times with
offering a summer research job paying
because they contain not only a letter of
skinny envelopes from the admissions
$1,000. For the brilliant daughter, this
acceptance but also several pamphlets
office that contained requests for more
only complicates the calculus of
that emphasize the campus's quality as a
information - Uncle Hjalmar's
potential: "If not this one, that one, unless
resort hotel, and a second letter telling
Norwegian W-2 from 1893, for example.
the one with a waiting list comes
the parents they don't qualify for financial
Two more thin letters acknowledged
through."
aid.
receipt of the requested documents, and a
Maybe it is easier for the parents after
Bad-news letters come in
third assured the brilliant daughter that
all. They just watch and wish, "Not too
machine-stuffed envelopes and are no
her application was complete and that she
far away!"
thicker than an overdraft notice. They
would be hearing soon.
111. Boston Globe
April 27, 1998
Back to basics in the schools? Then start with children's
health
By Eva Marx and Daphne Northrop
well-being - as directly as they do math,
emotional, or health handicaps, according
Last month's wake-up call about our
reading, and science, even the most
to a leading researcher, Joy Dryfoos.
public schools was the finding that math
brilliant curriculum or discipline plan
Education reform has fallen far short of
and science scores of US students were
will fail. If we expect students to succeed,
our expectations and the needs of
significantly lower than the scores of
schools must help them surmount the
children. It is likely to continue to do so
students in 14 other industrialized
problems that interfere with learning -
unless educators directly address the
countries. President Clinton's response:
such as unsafe schools, distractions
causes of underachievement, and poor
"We need smaller classes, better teaching,
caused by family problems, and chronic,
health is clearly one. Continued
higher standards, more discipline, greater
untreated health problems. When schools
inattention to this most basic of basics
accountability." Agreed. But what's
do not deal with children's health by
will render highly publicized reforms
missing?
design, they deal with it by default.
largely ineffective.
Unless schools address students'
One child in four 10 million - is at
In some schools, dropout, depression,
health - their physical, mental, social
risk of failure in school because of social,
chronic infections, alcohol and drug
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abuse, violence, and adolescent
In Rhode Island, a team of teachers,
their quality, continuity, and coordinated
pregnancy are rampant. In others they
administrators, parents, and counselors
approach.
simmer beneath the surface. Wherever
meets regularly in an elementary school
Schools that directly address health
they emerge, they can disrupt individual
to devise solutions to problems that are
reap great financial and health rewards:
lives, classrooms, and the overall school
interfering with students' school success.
improved attendance, fewer disciplinary
environment.
In districts around the country, classroom
problems, decreased use of drugs,
Clearly schools did not create these
instruction on health is reinforced by
alcohol, and cigarettes, reduced
problems, and ultimately they alone will
activities in gym class, the cafeteria, or by
suspension and dropout rates, improved
not be able to solve them. But many
school policies on smoking and violence.
test scores, and reduced teacher absence
schools are working with their
These initiatives, sometimes called
and frustration.
communities to consolidate and
"school health programs," are much more
Public support is strong for schools to
maximize their resources in ways that
than "AIDS Day" or essay contests on the
take this approach. A Gallup poll
place students' overall well-being at the
perils of drug abuse. They feature
reported in 1994 that most parents,
heart of education decisions. For
classroom activities, psychological and
students, and school administrators
example, an elementary school in
health services, and an improved school
believe that health education is at least as
Louisiana houses a family resource center
climate that boost children's health so
important as other subjects taught in
where a pediatrician holds office hours,
that they can succeed in school. What is
school. In a Harris survery, 80 percent
parents attend literacy classes, and a
novel about these programs is not their
favored providing health services in
counselor offers group sessions for
individual components many schools
school.
student-aged mothers.
already have much of this in place - but
Report after report, from the World
People 2000 and Education Goals 2000.
school performance that ignore health are
Health Organization, the federal
In fact, the first education goal is that
ill-conceived, as are health improvement
government, foundations, local
children "start school ready to learn."
efforts that ignore education."
organizations, emphasize that an
Sadly, the admonition of the National
Eva Marx and Daphne Northrop are
underpinning of school performance is
Commission on the Role of the School
co-editors of "Health is Academic: A
emotional, social and physical health.
and the Community in Improving
Guide to Coordinated School Health
This premise is reflected in numerous
Adolescent Health in 1990 still needs to
Programs.
national initiatives such as Healthy
be repeated today: "Efforts to improve
EDITORIAL
112. San Francisco Chronicle
April 28, 1998
Clinton Takes Stand Against Prop. 227
NO ONE CAN accuse President Clinton
227 campaign has not offered a clear
court rulings have required schools to
of jumping on the bandwagon with his
alternative to the simplistic Unz
make accommodations for national-origin
decision this week to campaign against
initiative, and the status quo is difficult to
minority students with limited English
California's Proposition 227.
defend.
proficiency.
The initiative, which would severely
So the Clinton administration's entry
- A more reasonable national goal
curtail bilingual education programs, is
in the debate should help voters focus on
- not requirement - would be a
supported by about 60 percent of the
potential consequences of the
three-year limit on bilingual education.
state's voters - including about half of
``one-size-fits-
all"
initiative.
"The Unz initiative is a direct attack
Latino voters, according to most polls.
Administration officials not only came
on local control of education," Education
Silicon Valley businessman Ron Unz,
out with a scathing analysis of what's
Secretary Richard Riley said. Clinton,
who sponsored the initiative, argues that
wrong with the Unz initiative, they
who was criticized for not campaigning
students who know little or no English
presented a more flexible alternative.
actively against the anti-affirmative
would be better served by putting them in
In coming out strongly against the
action Prop. 209 two years ago, should
a one-year intensive English program.
measure yesterday, Clinton's Education
be prepared to personally engage in the
Unz comes to the debate well armed with
Department provided the following for
227 debate. The three main Democratic
anecdotes about the failures of bilingual
Californians to consider:
contenders for governor oppose 227, but
education, including cases in which
- The "best research" available
Republican Dan Lungren has remained
native-language classes became a
suggests that a one-year immersion
neutral. He needs to take a stand.
long-term remedial track for too many
program would be "a major mistake,"
The president's participation should
immigrant children.
said acting Deputy Education Secretary
help raise the public's attention level on
Frankly, the opposition to Proposition
Marshall Smith.
this critical education-policy issue.
227 has not done a good job of
- The initiative may run afoul of
countering the articulate Unz. The No on
federal civil rights laws, because U.S.
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113. Los Angeles Daily News
04/24/98; Edition: VALLEY; Section: Editorial; Page N23
ROBBING FROM THE POOR
NO ON PROPOSITION 223: A SCHOOL
REDISTRIBUTION-OF-WEALTH MEASURE
Widespread public anger that bloated
face severe penalties for failing to meet
take.
education bureaucracies are eating up too
the 95 percent spending minimum for
Written by the Los Angeles Unified
many dollars intended for classrooms
classrooms.
School District's teacher's union, the
propelled Proposition 223, which would
In principle, it sounds great.
initiative is meant to reduce
impose rigid spending limits on school
Bureaucracies shouldn't be bingeing on
administrative costs throughout the state
administration.
tax dollars meant for the students.
by up to $700 million.
Nicknamed 95/5, Proposition 223
But this initiative would bludgeon the
The measure attacks a problem
would require every district to spend no
life out of local control while creating
without offering real reforms. Supporters
more than 5 percent of its operating
more bureaucracy in Sacramento to
estimate roughly 40 school districts of the
budget on administration. Districts would
oversee it. It's a path we're not willing to
nearly 1,000 meet the 5 percent test.
Generally, it would hit small districts,
classes.
and still come close to meeting the 95/5
which have far less flexibility,
Critics argue that inserting
ratio because they are so immense.
particularly hard. And since it could force
"unbrokered" into the measure means
That's not reform. That's a travesty of
a shift from relatively efficient,
districts no longer can contract outside
justice.
centralized operations - in managing
for services. Supporters could offer no
PROP. 223 AT A GLANCE
supplies and evaluating textbooks - to
compelling reason to include the word in
Here is a summary of Proposition 223
redundant school-site administration, it
the measure.
on the June 2 state primary election
could actually produce more inefficiency.
Districts that fail to cut administrative
ballot:
But it would also take away the voice
costs are penalized up to $175 per
School administration spending limits:
of parents and taxpayers at the local
student. That could prove disastrous for
Proposition 223 would prohibit districts
level. If voters want to reward
smaller districts.
from spending more than 5 percent of
superintendents who show leadership by
In addition, the measure offers no
funds from all sources for costs of
paying more, or if parents feel greater
clear process of redistributing those fines
general administration, instructional
administrative costs are justified to
back to the classroom. That means
resources supervision and supervision of
oversee a district, that's their right.
lawmakers in Sacramento could redirect
instruction, beginning fiscal year
However, this bill would remove their
funds to their districts that were out of
1999-2000.
voice and choice at the local level.
compliance in the first place.
It requires the State Board of
The measure also stipulates that
The bottom line is that Proposition
Education to fine districts failing to
"direct services to pupils" means
223 is a reverse Robin Hood measure,
comply.
immediate and "unbrokered" services to
designed to rob from the poor, smaller
The Daily News recommends: No
school-site employees, such as training or
districts to give to the rich, like LAUSD
professional development sessions or
that can have far too many administrators
114. The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union
04/25/98; Edition: CITY; Section: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL; Page A-12
Dogless in D.C.
administrators are working hard to
appeal by Clinton for Congress to be "as
Talking heads on television breathlessly
improve the public schools.
generous with schools as it is with
inform us that because the Democratic
Washington, as they say in the South,
favorite highway projects."
president and Republican congressional
doesn't have a dog in this fight.
Republicans correctly noted that
leaders disagree on education they may
If Congress does "do something," the
school construction is a local issue.
not "do anything" in this session.
U.S. Senate's approval of tax-free savings
Supporters had promoted the savings
They say that like it is a bad thing.
accounts for school expenses is a good
bill as a modest way to help working and
Actually, such a standoff could be a
start.
poor families meet school expenses and,
major benefit to the nation's
Before approving the bill by Sen. Paul
if necessary, find alternatives to
schoolchildren.
Coverdell, R-Ga., the Senate voted to
dangerous or substandard public schools.
Education is a local problem. In
reject President Clinton's proposal to
The bill, which must be reconciled
Jacksonville and communities all across
federally subsidize local school
with a House-passed version, carries
the nation, parents, teachers and
construction, despite a a non sequitor
amendments opposing new federal math
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92
and reading tests and curbing the
tired system providing weak academic
Education Department's control of some
The bill would allow tax-free savings
performance and limited choices.
school spending programs.
accounts to be created for children,
"There is a sufficient amount of good
"What we have here is a choice
starting at birth. Up to $2,000 a year
in this bill," said Sen. Bob Graham,
between the status quo and people who
could be contributed, with money coming
D-Fla., who supported the bill.
want to empower parents to have more of
from relatives, employers, foundations or
Perhaps the most enlightened view
a role in the education of their children,"
other sources.
was voiced by veteran Sen. Robert Byrd,
said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.
The interest and withdrawals would be
D-W. Va.
The usual liberal hyperbole followed.
tax-free, and the money could be used for
"I think it is a new approach, and it's
"What this means is the death of public
various expenses from kindergarten
entitled to be tried, to be tested," Byrd
education," said Democratic leader Tom
through college, including tuition at
said. "Public education is going to have
Daschle of South Dakota. Clinton said
private or religious schools. The bill will
to shape up, or else public support for it
the bill "weakens our commitment to
save taxpayers an estimated $1.6 billion
is going to completely erode."
making America's schools the best they
over 10 years.
Precisely.
can be in the 21st century."
In addition to creating the accounts,
By returning power to states, school
To the contrary, forcing the public
the bill would expand popular
boards and parents, and denying power to
school monopoly to compete and
exemptions for employer-provided
a centralized bureaucracy that has failed
improve probably is the best thing that
educational assistance, make savings for
to use it wisely, the Senate acted
has happened to it in decades. And
state prepaid tuition plans tax-free and
responsibly and in timely fashion. Let's
Clinton's comment merely reflects his
offer some aid for school construction.
hope the House follows suit.
view that for every problem in society,
Some Democrats said the accounts
there is a solution in Washington.
were worth trying, to give some life to a
115. The Raleigh News & Observer
04/26/98; Edition: Final; Section: Editorial/Opinion; Page A28
Campus cast-offs?
A new report from a well-regarded
attending First Year College, a program
on campus. A new series of small
think-tank minces no words in taking
that prepares them to take advantage of
seminars for freshmen is also in the
research universities to task for the
all the university has to offer. Faculty
works.
shabby way they tend to treat
also encourage students' independent
The Carnegie scholars would no doubt
undergraduates. According to the
research, the results of which are
applaud these efforts. But they also might
Carnegie Foundation, most such
presented at symposia such as one held
be skeptical. Having seen too many
institutions entice prospective students
just a few days ago.
trendy experiments come and go, they
with promises of studying with an all-star
- Each year Duke admits 450 freshmen
argue for research universities to make
faculty and tapping into a wealth of
to its first-semester FOCUS program,
long-term commitments to basic change.
academic resources. But when they arrive
consisting of courses arranged around
Exactly how that happens at each
on campus, students may be left to
themes that vary from year to year. The
institution depends on circumstances,
flounder, taught by ill-prepared teaching
program stresses learning in small groups
resources and focus. But the report's
assistants and left out of research
and interdisciplinary study. In addition,
principal recommendation of better
activities. Many earn their degrees
Duke's "Writing Across the University"
integrating research and teaching seems
haphazardly and without gaining the
curriculum responds to one of the major
universally applicable.
skills or experiences they need for work
problems identified in the Carnegie
Research institutions make up just 3
or further academic pursuits.
report: the need for students in all subject
percent of U.S. institutions of higher
That blunt message wasn't a complete
areas to be proficient in written and oral
learning, and they have something special
shock in the Triangle, whose three major
communication.
to offer. Instead of replicating other
research institutions may be ahead of the
- As part of an effort to improve its
colleges' programs, they should build on
curve in revamping how they serve
intellectual climate, UNC-Chapel Hill is
those strengths - and enrich their own
undergraduate students. For example:
beefing up academic advising so that
efforts by doing more to teach students
- Since 1995 students entering N.C.
undergraduates build close relationships
in a well-coordinated manner the art and
State University have had the option of
with faculty mentors from their first days
science of inquiry.
116. The Las Vegas Review-Journal
04/26/98; Edition: Final; Section: EDITORIALS; Page 2D
More valuable diplomas?
Last week, Nevada high-schoolers
through a supposedly tough new
yet to be determined.
breezed their way (best case scenario!)
graduation exam whose passing score has
It's up to the the members of the State
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93
Board of Education to establish the
Reform Act. It replaces the previous
Mr. Hanlon says he speaks only for
passing standard, and they won't do that
exam that was so easy, says Mr. Hanlon,
himself when he says that, "I'm not a
until, at the earliest, mid-May.
that less than 1 percent of students failed.
believer that everyone should be passed
According to board member Bill
In a toughened-up pilot test given last
in high school. If they don't have the
Hanlon, the passing mark can't be set
fall, 47 percent of students flunked when
knowledge and skills, they shouldn't have
until the State Department of Education
the passing mark was set at 60 percent.
the diplomas." Agreed.
and its "focus groups" determine whether
The new test is a three-parter which
One still has to wonder how difficult
the tests in math, reading and writing
includes an hour-long writing exam, a
the new test really is. The State Board of
contain errors of fact or show a racial or
math test that goes beyond the basic stuff,
Education won't release copies of the test
gender bias. Should such politically
and a reading section.
- security concerns, you know. But we do
incorrect (or simply incorrect) questions
Students who fail the test - after five
have a few indicators of how nasty these
crop up, they will be thrown out and not
tries - get no diploma.
proficiency exams can be. In California,
counted toward any student's score.
If the pilot tests given last year are any
prospective teachers - college graduates,
We cannot wait to see the questions
indication, hundreds of kids who
mind you - take a basic skills test, which
the state discards because they are
managed to take all the required courses
is so easy that any self-respecting eighth
"racially or gender biased."
to graduate high school won't - because
grader could pass it. But, routinely, more
The test thousands of Nevada high
they simply didn't absorb enough basic
than one-quarter of prospective
school students took last week was
knowledge to be deemed minimally
California teachers fail.
mandated by the 1997 Nevada Education
educated.
Perhaps the new test is tougher than
According to Thomas Klein,
the need for secrecy, and we hope to be
the amazingly easy proficiency exam for
evaluations consultant with the State
able to obtain and publish sample
high schoolers administered to Nevada
Department of Education, the questions
questions from those tests so that parents
students in 1986 - sample questions from
on the new test will change each time it is
and taxpayers can judge the new exams
which the state board did supply us.
given. That we assume would obviate
for themselves.
117. The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union
04/26/98; Edition: CITY; Section: INSIGHT; Page G-2
Pay the best more
Both the House and Senate have good
The House version has some merit.
judge whether it is sufficient. The point is
ideas concerning merit pay for
Principals are the direct supervisors of
that sheer mastery of material does not
outstanding teachers. They should be
teachers, managers of the schools, and
always translate into classroom
able to merge them into a single piece of
are in the best position to know which
performance.
legislation.
teachers are most effective. They should
In the 1980s, the state had merit pay.
State Sen. Jim Horne, D-Jacksonville,
have input into the process.
briefly, until teacher unions managed to
has done an excellent job of crafting -
Union leaders fear that allowing the
get it repealed. At that time, union
and holding together - - a bill that seeks
principal total control would make the
leaders basically took the position that no
to designate the best teachers by an
process subject to political considerations
teachers were more proficient than any
academic process involving tests and
and that letting parents rule would turn it
others and all should be paid at the same,
certification. It has the support of teacher
into a popularity contest.
substantially higher, rate.
union leaders.
Horne's bill, which is not strictly
Now that the unions are working with
Horne would reward the best teachers
"merit pay," is an open-ended process.
the process instead of fighting all change,
with a salary increase of up to 20 percent.
Theoretically at least, every teacher in the
there is a chance to treat teachers more
His version requires a process that
state could pass it and the state would
like professionals rather than
would take approximately two years to
have to come up with the money to pay
assembly-line workers.
complete, and it includes passing a test
them, for a period of 10 years. However,
The final product probably should
used nationwide.
it is expected that about 15 percent would
require an effort by teachers to prove
In the House, another version would
qualify, at the most.
mastery of their craft through tests and
rely on the assessments of parents, peers
Another issue is whether the bill
training, but also include outcome
and principals to select the best 10
adequately relates the pay to student
measures, input from principals and
percent of teachers and give them a
achievement. Horne said there is a
perhaps a role for parents.
$2,000 bonus.
provision to do so, and legislators must
118. Allentown Morning Call
04/26/98; Edition: THIRD; Section: COMMENT; Page A30
NO MORE MONEY FOR PHILADELPHIA
Gov.
Tom
Ridge
has
made
a
telling
comment
regarding
the
controversy
between the state and the Philadelphia
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94
School District. Philadelphia School
state support because it educated more
By week's end, it appeared Mr.
Superintendent David Hombeck, said the
needy children than other districts in the
Hornbeck had flinched. No longer was he
Governor, is "the only superintendent in
state.
talking about $95 million deficits but
Pennsylvania who's decided to budget
Last week, as it passed the state
shortfalls of $85 million or less. He even
based on what he thinks he should have,
budget for the 1998-99 fiscal year, the
was willing to give the state audit
rather than what he's going to get."
General Assembly answered. It amended
authority over district finances- - if there
Two months ago, Mr. Hornbeck
the state School Code to give Education
is more money. Mr. Hornbeck and Mayor
unveiled his proposed $1.5 billion budget
Secretary Eugene Hickok the authority to
Rendell must accept that the pot is fixed
for the 1998-99 school year. The plan
take over the Philadelphia School District
- and it's a big pot. The 215,000
anticipated a $95 million deficit which, if
if Mr. Hornbeck carries out his threat.
children in the Philadelphia School
the state didn't cough up the cash, would
"I don't think there's any desire on our
District represent 12 percent of the state's
mean Philadelphia's public schools would
part to step in," said Secretary Hickok,
public school children. Yet, the district
close in March 1999. Backed by his
who urged the school district to adopt a
gets 18 percent, or $626 million of state
school board, Mayor Ed Rendell and the
responsible budget. No one wants to see
funds.
Philadelphia City Council, Mr. Hombeck
the state takeover the Philadelphia school
maintained the district deserved more
district. And it shouldn't have to.
Philadelphia officials must stop
an average of 36 percent - than other
that, but neither does the chief executive
looking with envy at how much suburban
school districts.
of any other municipality. The answer is
districts spend on their students. They
Without question, there's a shared
for Mr. Hombeck and his board to adopt
keep pointing out that Lower Merion
state-local responsibility for public
a balanced budget before the end of May.
School district spends $12,000 per pupil
education. Just as indisputable is the fact
If that means tax hikes or other
while Philadelphia only spends $7,000
that Philadelphia's educational needs are
economies, that is the tough political
per pupil (the statewide average is
dramatically different from those of most
reality they must face. And the trick is to
$6,800). Most other districts envy the
other school districts.
do it while still providing quality
wealth of the Lower Merions and Fox
However, other districts live within
education. No doubt, that's a big
Chapels. Philadelphia officials must keep
their means- - and with considerably less
challenge in Philadelphia, but looking for
in mind that the district is subsidized to a
state help. If needs outstrip revenue, taxes
more state money isn't part of the
higher degree - 52 percent compared to
are raised. Mayor Rendell doesn't want
answer.
119. The Northern New Jersey Record
04/26/98; Edition: All Editions.=.Sunday; Section: REVIEW & OUTLOOK; Page o02
THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BAN SOME
CONSERVATIVES RECONSIDER THEIR POSITION
ONLY one black student will be
some staunch opponents of affirmative
despair and indifference to many blacks.
among the 268 students entering the
action to reconsider their position.
Moderate thinkers have said the same
University of California at Berkeley's law
Fearing a similar resegregation
thing for decades. Affirmative action,
school this fall.
because of a court decision, Texas
even with its faults, is still needed to
The number of minority students
ordered its public university system to
counter the traditional exclusion of
entering UC Berkeley as freshmen will
accept any student, black or white, who
minorities from hiring, public
drop from 23 percent to 10 percent.
finished in the top 10 percent of a public
contracting, and college admissions.
At UCLA, the number of first-year
high school.
Berkeley had no shortage of qualified
minorities will drop from 20 to 13
In a recent New Republic article (see
minority applicants. Some 800 black and
percent.
article on previous page), conservative
Hispanic applicants who were rejected
This can't be what supporters of
Harvard sociologist Nathan Glazer wrote
had scored at least 1,200 on their SATs
Proposition 209 and other affirmative
that "affirmative action is bad. (But)
and had 4.0 grade point averages.
action opponents wanted a higher
banning it is worse." Mr. Glazer, whose
But they were rejected primarily
education system where the best colleges
1975 book "Affirmative Discrimination"
because of Proposition 209, which, like
start resembling the all but segregated
is practically required reading for
similar measures, requires college
public schools of the 1950s.
opponents of affirmative action, now says
admissions officers to ignore race and
Two years after California voters
principles must be weighed against
make decisions primarily on academic
approved Proposition 209, which
reality. Mr. Glazer has joined
ratings and SAT scores. Such a policy
prohibits the use of race as a factor in
conservatives Glen Loury, James Wilson,
overlooks some important realities.
state hiring and college admissions, we're
and John Bunzel in abandoning the
In many cases, students from rich
finally getting answers to the question:
hard-line position that all affirmative
suburban districts have a big competitive
What would happen if affirmative action
action programs are inherently bad.
advantage over students from urban
programs were outlawed?
Why? Mr. Glazer now believes that
districts because their schools are so
In the case of admissions to
the country has a special unfulfilled
much better. Their districts often have
California's best public universities, the
obligation to blacks, and that ending
more money and better facilities. They do
discouraging results have persuaded
these programs would send a message of
a better job of preparing students for
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95
standardized tests. If we acknowledge
influence and leadership in such
whole.
that public school systems are not equal,
professions as law, medicine, academia,
It's good that Mr. Glazer and other
should we then further penalize
media, advertising, and the arts. Those
conservatives are rethinking their
promising students in urban districts by
professions will become even less diverse
position. Others who still doubt
keeping them out of colleges and
since the number of minority college
affirmative action's value and necessity
universities because of where they live?
graduates will drop. Minorities will be
should take a close look at the California
The danger of not having enough
relegated to a permanent underclass.
experiment
and
its
ultimate
minorities in top colleges is that they then
That's bad for the minorities, but it's also
ramifications.
have little way of rising to positions of
bad for whites and for the nation as a
120. Buffalo News
04/26/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL PAGE; Page H2
STATE IS CUTTING SCHOOL TAXES, BUT LOCAL
INCREASES CAN SKEW THE RESULTS
The big reform from last year's session
The STAR benefit comes through a
Lancaster has particular problems that are
of the State Legislature is intended
formula that works to reduce the taxable
pushing the tax rate higher. It is the scene
eventually to cut the school taxes of
assessed valuation of owner-occupied
of a home-building boom that's adding
every homeowner in New York State.
homes. But the state cannot set the tax
many children to the school system.
The politicians call the program STAR
rates that are applied to the reduced
And
here
comes
the
(School Tax Relief), and it shifts a
assessments to determine the tax bills.
Cheektowaga-Sloan school district with a
signficant proportion of school funding
Tax rates are the work of local boards of
10 percent tax increase. This district is
from the local property tax to
education.
experiencing higher enrollment as
broader-based state taxes.
Apologists for big tax-rate increases
families move inside the village line from
STAR came tied with the attractively
might want to say that STAR makes the
Buffalo.
arranged ribbons of a carefully planned
tax bills lower than they would have been
And Cheektowaga Central schools are
gift. But two things could reduce the
without STAR. That's true. But most
chiming in with a tax-rate increase of 8.5
value of what's inside.
people will want to compare a current tax
percent.
First, the state might run into a
bill with the prior year's. In such a
All three districts found themselves
financial wall and change the law to go
comparison, STAR's full effect is
short of surplus funds from the past to
back on its promise. That hasn't
undercut by a tax-rate hike, the degree of
throw into their new budgets. Some other
happened. Indeed, Gov. Pataki and the
damage depending on the size of the
districts are using surplus funds this year
Legislature, enjoying flush times, have
increase.
to keep taxes under control, but they are
accelerated STAR's benefit for most
Fortunately for those whose homes'
rightly worried about future years when
seniors. Party on.
taxable assessed value will be reduced by
the extra money may not be there.
The second catch, however, could
STAR to zero, a tax-rate hike of whatever
STAR's benefits may be undermined
work its harm. It involves the ability or
size cannot hurt. Every number multipled
eventually in these districts.
inability of local school districts to hold
by zero is zero. But a big tax increase can
Local school boards need to consider
the line on tax rates. If they can't keep tax
hurt others. Under some circumstances,
STAR a challenge. To bring homeowners
rises at or near the level of inflation in the
homeowners could even wind up paying
the relief intended by Gov. Pataki and the
economy, the value of the STAR tax
larger bills than they did a year earlier,
Legislature, they must find ways to
breaks will decrease.
STAR notwithstanding.
control costs and keep taxes from going
Some districts have been able to keep
Here come the Lancaster schools
up so quickly. It can be a delicate
rates from increasing much, but Western
proposing a 12 percent tax increase. It's
balancing act because the quality of
New York is also seeing some districts
less than some early projections
education must be maintained, too. But,
with percentage tax-rate increases in the
suggested it might be, but still enough to
presumably, school board members ran
double digits.
put a goodly dent in STAR benefits.
for office to take on challenges.
121. The Atlanta Journal
04/27/98Section: EDITORIAL; Page A;08
Savings accounts a win for education
IN A STUNNING victory for
without paying tax on the interest.
states will be removed. It's the only way
Republicans and U.S. Sen. Paul
Coverdell's bill now goes to a
the bill might have a chance of becoming
Coverdell (R-Ga.), the Senate passed
House-Senate conference committee,
veto-proof in Congress.
legislation late last week to allow parents
where we hope language to provide
The bill is a strong Republican
to set up education savings accounts
block-grant education programs to the
statement about education. It wants to
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96
give parents more school choice while
block-granting many education programs
support to stand up strong against the
returning education funding - and the
(and dismantling the entire U.S.
White House. It would be the first
rules and regulations that go with it -
Department of Education), but in
venture into national school choice. And
to local school districts. But as passed it
practical terms we don't believe this is the
it should not be loaded with other ideas,
tries to bite off more than a two-thirds
place to pick that fight. Coverdell's
despite their merits.
majority in the Senate will chew.
education savings accounts idea is too
We have always supported
important and it needs more Democratic
We hope the conferees will meet
the issue at hand: giving parents an
Remember, that's a choice the president
quickly to clean up this legislation to
opportunity to save for primary and
had with his own daughter, while so
make it a sure bet for strong support in
secondary education expenses, including
many others don't.
both the House and Senate. Then
private schools, with tax breaks now only
President Clinton will be forced to face
offered at the collegiate level.
122. The Newark Star-Ledger
04/27/98; Edition: FINAL; Section: EDITORIAL; Page 098
No school break
There are several good reasons for
can stash away money in a tax-exempt
middle-class families use public schools,
President Clinton to veto the education
account is not a goodie the poor or those
and many are happy with them and
tax break bill Congress seems bent on
living on every-dollar-counts budgets get
willing to work to enrich and improve
passing.
to enjoy.
them.
The easiest to understand is the most
And how many urban parents
Those parents should fear opening the
important: We should not be subsidizing
struggling to pay school fees might see a
door to federal tax policies that could
private school education with public
free public school system that they could
drain more kids from public schools. In
money instead of using those dollars to
use with confidence as the best gift?
many communities, there is a tenuous
improve public schools.
Often overlooked in the debate about
balance between fixed operating costs,
A largely Republican congressional
education are the benefits that come
enrollment and funding based on
majority (plus our very own Democratic
when the majority of children in a
enrollment. A federal tax break could
junior senator) is pushing the idea of
neighborhood attend the same schools
translate into local tax hikes or school
publicly funded school vouchers or the
and the schools not only educate the
budget cuts.
stealth version found in the just-passed
children but unite the parents and the
You'll hear this campaign slogan: We
Senate bill, tax breaks for private school
community.
tried to give you a tax break and do
tuition.
Good public schools would be the
something for education but the President
Backers claim this diversion of public
better way to rebuild communities where
vetoed it. But the public should know
money would be good for poor urban
schools are not the only thing gone
that this private tuition tax break would
parents who want their children to escape
wrong. And the better route for good
ultimately benefit very few.
bad city schools and good for
neighborhoods that want to stay that way.
If Congress wants to do something for
middle-class parents who choose to use
It is just such communities that
most folks, its time and our tax money
parochial or private schools.
Congress is trying to woo with the
would be better spent improving public
A tax break you don't get unless you
education tax break. Still, most
schools.
123. The Columbus Dispatch
04/27/98; Edition: Home Final; Section: EDITORIAL & COMMENT; Page 08A
SCHOOL REPORT CARDS
LET'S NOT WAIT UNTIL 1999 TO DISTRIBUTE DATA
Only four of 17 school districts in
performance in primary and secondary
test scores. As part of the accountability
Franklin County have agreed to distribute
schools, few issues are of greater priority
statute passed to help build support for
"report cards" comparing the
than accurately measuring how Ohio
the proposed state sales tax increase,
performance of Ohio's schools and
schools are doing, how they stack up
school report cards are mandated by July
districts this June. That disappointing
against each other and whether and how
1, 1999.
number can be improved upon. Central
they improve from year to year.
Understandably, there is considerable
Ohio boards of education and other
The goal is accountability and getting
start-up time for so large an undertaking.
boards statewide should reconsider
to parents and other citizens accurate
In early June, the Department of
decisions not to participate.
information on such matters as student
Education plans to test various methods
Given the importance of improving
attendance, dropout rates and proficiency
of distribution. It asked for and received
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97
109 volunteers out of 611 districts
unrealistic. It's doubtful all the districts
participate in the test still will receive
statewide to distribute report cards based
could have been handled that quickly.
copies, including some that could be
on 1996-97 data.
Still, it's important for Ohio school
duplicated and distributed to parents yet
The department encountered many
districts to embrace accountability.
this year.
delays in getting the first test ready and
Districts such as Columbus, Upper
its projected release date of March was
Arlington and Dublin that chose not to
The department is trying to get the
officials agreed to consider ways to help
report cards are on their way to the
information out, but it needs reminding
districts distribute the report cards this
printer, it would be a shame if school
that the report cards are eagerly awaited
year. A full distribution, reflecting
districts couldn't find a way to get them
by parents. When contacted by The
1997-98 data, is expected in February
to parents. The report cards are not
Dispatch, department officials said that it
1999.
required until 1999, but distributing them
was too late to involve more districts in
Report cards are useful in gauging the
is the right thing to do.
the test program before 2000. Eventually,
performance of schools. But now that
124. Minneapolis Star Tribune
April 28, 1998
Poverty antidote - Provide more chance for education
At North Hennepin Community College,
change the higher education limit. He's
public dole permanently.
young women with mathematical aptitude
itching to bring to the Senate floor an
Wynia, a former state human services
are invited to consider the applied
amendment allowing states to increase
commissioner and a former legislator
accounting program. Its graduates often
from 12 to 24 months the time a welfare
whose specialty was welfare, says she
get jobs with starting salaries exceeding
recipient can spend enrolled in a
knows what happens when welfare
$25,000 a year, North Hennepin
post-secondary school before triggering a
recipients are denied a chance at
President Ann Wynia says.
work requirement. He thinks his
education and pushed into $6-an-hour
But if the prospective student is a
amendment will pass.
jobs instead.
single mother on welfare, she is
The Senate's Republican leaders must
A single mother in a job at that wage
cautioned to try something else, Wynia
think so too. They've been wearing out
isn't self-sufficient. She still needs
says. The applied accounting program
the Senate rule book finding ploys to
substantial subsidies from the taxpayer
takes two years to complete. Under the
keep the Wellstone amendment off the
- food stamps, sliding-fee child care,
new welfare law, the student won't be
floor.
health care for her children. Neither is
able to afford to stay in school that long.
Their latest trick last week was to
she secure. Low-wage jobs are often the
Never mind how able she is in
advance an amendment to the education
first to go in an economic downturn. And
mathematics. Or how promising her
bill that Wellstone abhorred, giving
they are often the least flexible when the
family's future might be if she could land
schools more latitude to expel students
inevitable family emergencies arise.
an accounting job. Or how likely it would
with disabilities. Republican leaders then
"The new welfare law is going to look
be that she would never again need a
promised to set their amendment aside if
good at first. We're going to generate
handout from taxpayers if she could
Wellstone would do the same with his.
some statistics that say people are getting
complete the two-year program.
Under pressure from colleagues and
off welfare," Wynia says. "But those
Twelve months in a vocational
friends of the disabled, Wellstone backed
numbers will give a false picture. Unless
education program is all she's allowed
off, vowing to try again when the higher
we can give welfare recipients some level
under the new welfare law. That's more
education bill is debated later this spring.
of skill and training beyond high school,
than adequate for some, but for too many
His determination is well placed. Not
we won't really be moving them on a
would-be students on welfare, 12 months
only is allowing welfare recipients a
road to self-sufficiency."
isn't enough.
chance at more education the
Generations of Americans have
Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone
compassionate thing to do, it's also the
proven that education is the best antidote
believes that flaw in the 1996 welfare law
fiscally conservative thing to do. The
to poverty. Congress should give today's
has become so apparent that even some
more education a welfare recipient can
welfare moms a chance to prove it
backers of the new law are ready to
get, the better her chances of leaving the
again.
125. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 28, 1998
Tax-break bill puts public schools in peril
Public education in America was tossed
that would make the nation's public
Passed along mostly partisan lines, the
into the smelly swamp of partisan politics
schools suffer the consequences of
bill would give parents a tax break for the
last week when the Senate endorsed a
congressional zeal for needless tax
school expenses of their children; endow
costly, unfair and destructive measure
breaks.
states with new authority to determine
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98
how to spend federal education money,
provision. It would allow families and
the money was used for education
and kill President Clinton's plan for
others to contribute up to $2,000 a year
expenses, including tuition for private
national math and science tests.
into special savings accounts, interest
and parochial elementary and secondary
The bill's chief flaw is its tax-break
from which would be tax-free, so long as
schools.
The bill's Republican defenders argue
education, the measure also would be
schools.
that the measure would relieve the tax
unfair to Americans of many different
Our editorials have consistently
burden on middle-class Americans. They
religious faiths, or of none, by requiring
supported school choice - but only on
ignore that this break would cost the
them in effect to subsidize schools of
an experimental basis and in a form that
government $1.6 billion over 10 years.
particular religious faiths. This provision
would help poor families that do not now
Paying for this tax break might require
also may run afoul of the Constitution's
have a choice. The Senate-passed bill is a
cuts in programs that middle-class and
required separation of church and state.
far cry from that concept.
other Americans need and want.
Worst of all is the damage this
The president has vowed to veto this
Giving this tax break to those who can
measure would inflict on public
measure if it ever hits his desk, and if the
afford to send their kids to private
education. At a time when Republicans,
56-43 Senate vote is any indication, he
schools amounts to special treatment for
Democrats and others should be doing
has enough support to sustain a veto.
higher-income families and is unfair to
their best to strengthen public education,
That may be the only encouraging aspect
many struggling families less apt to
this bill would encourage the movement
of last week's vote.
benefit.
of students and funds away from public
And by promoting parochial school
schools and fatten the coffers of private
126. Detroit News
April 28, 1998
A Tale of Two School Systems
Last week brought news of two
public schools. Schools then receive
students they attract, much like the
education experiments - one in Seattle
money primarily on a per-student basis.
schools in Seattle. The state's cap on the
and one in San Antonio - that travel a
Schools that attract students receive a
number of the schools should be lifted.
step beyond Michigan's approach to
direct and proportionate budget hike;
Opponents of such measures in
school choice. Both hold lessons for
schools that lose students are directly
Detroit and Lansing should contemplate
policy makers in Detroit and Lansing.
penalized.
San Antonio. Last week, a private
The state of Michigan's largest
The resulting competition for school
consortium of businesses and foundations
program to strengthen parental choice in
money has been remarkable. Schools are
announced it will provide $50 million in
primary and secondary schooling is
aggressively wooing parents with tours,
scholarships during the next 10 years to
interdistrict enrollment, which allows
enrollment fairs, advertisements,
14,000 "at-risk" students in the San
state money to follow a student to a
brochures and specialized new curricula.
Antonio school district. The scholarships
nearby district if he is accepted in a
We can imagine little that would make
will pay for kids' schooling at both public
public school there.
a more immediate difference to Detroit's
and private schools in the San Antonio
This is a good approach, but it's
public education than creating such a
area.
limited. One purpose of having money
system locally. Detroit parents would be
This is the largest private "voucher"
follow the child is to discipline bad
ecstatic to be courted by their public
program of its kind. But Michigan has a
schools and reward good schools. Since
schools, instead of feeling they have to
similar foundation, CEO Michigan,
the money in Michigan's system is sent to
go shout at the Detroit Board of
which provides private scholarships. It's
school districts, not the schools
Education in order to provoke change.
not hard to imagine Michigan's generous
themselves, a poor school that loses a
Best of all, the Detroit board can
philanthropic community making a
student won't really feel the money
jumpstart this reform without help from
similar, large-scale tuition program
crunch unless the district decides to pass
Lansing.
available here.
the loss directly into the school's budget.
And Lansing has a natural way of
In short, as the San Antonio program
This brings us to Seattle. This year,
generating more market-driven
suggests, school choice will not be
the Seattle school district has taken
education, too: increasing the number of
denied. Detroit and Lansing should look
choice directly to the school level by
charter schools. Charter schools, which
around and open up the schools if they
allowing students throughout the district
are public schools, are paid by the state
don't want to get left behind.
to apply for admission at any of the city's
solely on the basis of the number of
127. Detroit News
April 28, 1998
Detroit Schools: Cut the Fat
A new analysis of the Detroit school
district by the consulting firm KPMG
Peat Marwick has unsurprisingly found a
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99
top-heavy bureaucracy that is
out as an option. But the crux of the
classrooms. The supply of soap, towels
unproductive and poorly managed.
KPMG recommendations is that 300
and toilet paper in schools is a perennial
School officials should use this critique
Detroit schools employees be redeployed
problem. It's difficult to fathom how
to bring the district's ratio of
from central administration jobs to
relocating administrative support staff
administrators to students into line with
individual schools.
from the central office will increase either
that of other districts.
The report breaks no new ground. If
the accountability or the performance of
Commissioned by New Detroit Inc.,
anything, the KPMG findings dovetail
these high-priced personnel.
the KPMG analysis cited a host of
with a recent internal examination by the
School officials should use the KPMG
management deficiencies. Too many
Operational Review Panel of New Detroit
report as a guideline for a major
administrators, for example, had limited
Inc. It too cited employees in critical
management restructuring. The district's
skills and poorly defined roles. Routine
positions who were never given the
mission would be enhanced by asking
clerical activities were performed by too
necessary training and professional
employees in all decision-making
many people. Discipline was ineffective.
development needed to carry out their
positions to submit their resignations and
And, according to the report, the
responsibilities.
reapply for the jobs they hold.
administration seemed more concerned
What is noteworthy about the KPMG
Performance evaluations would help
with position and titles than performance.
analysis is that the second largest school
weed out nonessential and under-trained
Highlighted among the findings are
budget expenditure, after management
staffers. Jobs that do not serve basic
the 1,143 administrators who give the
and administrative costs of $14 million,
education goals could be eliminated.
district the highest bureaucratic overhead
is the $13 million spent on clerical staff.
Another round of decentralization is
in the state. Last year, The News reported
These numbers suggest that the district
likely to produce another round of
that Detroit's administrator-to-student
has a long history of adding people at the
questionable results. Taxpayers and
ratio was one for every 135 pupils. The
top without improving student outcomes.
students would best benefit from a lean
statewide average was one for every 361
Despite this glut of noninstructional staff,
and mean, top-to-bottom management
pupils.
teachers continue to complain about
overhaul that slashes excess fat from a
Major staff reductions were not ruled
shortages of books, paper, pencils in the
bloated bureaucracy.
128. Investors Business Daily
April 28, 1998
America's Most Costly Educational Failure
The education establishment thinks the
little to show academically for all that
Kansas City settles the argument.
cure for what ails America's public
money. Although the district's 37,000
Judge Clark invited the district to
schools is more money. But spending a
mostly minority students enjoyed some of
"dream." Forget about cost, he said. He
fortune is no guarantee of better schools.
the best-funded school facilities in the
urged administrators to let their
It certainly didn't help a poorly
country, student performance hadn't
imaginations soar and assemble a list of
performing school district in the heart of
improved.
everything they might possibly need to
Kansas City, Mo.
It was a major embarrassment -and an
boost the achievement of inner-city
School reformers rejoiced when
ideological setback for backers of vastly
blacks. Using the extraordinary powers
Federal District Judge Russell Clark took
increased funding for public schools.
granted judges in desegregation cases,
control of the district in '85. He ruled it
From the start, proponents of Kansas
Clark said he would find a way to pay for
was unconstitutionally segregated, with
City's desegregation and education plan
it.
dilapidated facilities and students who
had touted it as a controlled experiment
The judge may have been misinformed
performed poorly.
that would resolve once and for all two
about the solutions. But no one can
To bring the district into compliance,
radically different philosophies of
accuse him of being timid or indecisive.
the judge ordered it and the state over the
education.
To pay for all the changes,
next 12 years to spend nearly $2 billion
For decades, critics of excess spending
improvements, programs and new
to build more schools, renovate old ones,
for public schools had said, "You can't
schools, he unilaterally increased
integrate classrooms and bring student
solve educational problems by throwing
property taxes 150%, imposed a 1.5%
test scores up to national norms.
money at them." To which educators and
income tax surcharge and, when that
But when the judge finally took
public school advocates replied, "No
wasn't enough, ordered the state of
himself off the case last year, there was
one's ever tried."
Missouri to make up for the shortfall.
Suddenly a poor district that had
nothing changed. Test scores stayed put,
incompetent teachers. The quickest way
horrible credit and never paid its bills on
the three-grade-level achievement gap
to raise achievement would have been
time was getting hundreds of millions of
between blacks and whites did not
simply to fire the bad teachers and
dollars more every year.
change, and the dropout rate went up, not
replace them with good ones.
For more than a decade, the Kansas
down.
But for many, the school district was
City district got more money per pupil
Why? One reason was that Judge
as much a jobs program as an educational
than any other of the 280 major school
Clark was unwilling to challenge the
institution. Firing teachers was too
districts in the country. Yet in spite of
educational status quo in Kansas City.
traumatic. Instead, the district increased
having perhaps the finest facilities of any
After many decades of slow decline, the
teacher pay 40% across the board, which
school district its size in the country,
district was burdened with many
guaranteed that poor teachers would stay
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100
forever.
ideological biases of local educators,
professional bias against competition and
Eventually, the ineffective or
politicians and Judge Clark against
accountability. But unless that happens,
burned-out teachers ended up at the
accountability made them reject solutions
even massive funding increases aren't
district's office downtown. In time, the
that might have worked - merit pay for
likely to help very much.
central administration grew so large
teachers, penalties for failure or vouchers
Paul Ciotti is an education writer in
-three to five times the size of the
for private schools.
Los Angeles. He is the author of the
bureaucracy of comparable school
There's a lesson in all this for
policy brief "Money and School
districts that it consumed over half the
lawmakers in Congress. It's not that
Performance: Lessons from the Kansas
district's entire education budget.
money never helps. Sure, money can help
City Desegregation Experiment,"
Of course, the district's biggest
- especially where teachers and
published by the Cato Institute.
problems weren't just administrative. The
administrators have overcome their
129. Albuquerque Journal
04/24/98Section: EDITORIAL PAGE; Page A14
Open Dialogue Might Reduce Dropout Rate
Mayor Jim Baca is making good on a
the entire school year.)
also experiment with sex.
campaign promise to work with
Unfortunately, Baca is proposing the
Mayor Baca is to be lauded for
Albuquerque Public Schools on programs
middle school expansion at the expense
advocating a five-part plan for decreasing
to keep middle school students on
of the city's High School Dropout
the city's rising dropout rate. In addition
campus from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or later -
Prevention Program. He's proposed
to expanding after-school programs, he
the hours they're most likely to get into
boosting the former by taking $100,000
wants to expand and improve weekend
trouble.
from the general fund and $200,000 from
and summer youth activities; recruit
He proposes expanding the city's
the high school program. Phil Baca, the
2,000 mentors for young people; develop
Middle School Cluster Initiative, which
mayor's assistant in charge of youth and
and promote literacy programs; improve
provides 19 middle schools with tutoring
education issues, says it's more effective
community center services; better
and a variety of extracurricular activities
and less expensive to work with middle
coordinate youth services; and develop a
after school. There is no question these
school children than those in high school.
public- private partnership to help teens
programs are worthwhile; they just don't
There's no question that after-school
get summer jobs.
run long or often enough. Teachers and
programs constitute money well spent.
Getting all of these initiatives going
others recognize that after-school options
Nearly 5 million children in the United
will take hard work and tough decisions
can help improve kids' grades (and, in
States are unsupervised by an adult after
on spending priorities. An important
turn, their self-confidence). and provide
school each week, the U.S. Census
aspect of the mayor's initial proposal,
diversions like computer time or drama
Bureau says. Consequences show up in
however, is that the city and APS are in
classes which, for students on the edge of
U.S. crime statistics: juvenile crime peaks
open dialogue about after-school
dropping out, may be the tenuous thread
between 3 and 7 p.m., according to the
programs and high school dropout
holding their interest in school.
U.S. Justice Department.
intervention - issues of critical concern
But cluster programs operate only
What isn't reflected in these numbers
to the children and the future of the city.
three or four days a week and usually
are the other things kids get into after
By working together, perhaps they can
extend the school day by an hour to 90
school. A study published in the
find some way to expand the middle
minutes. (Bernalillo County operates a
September 1989 issue of Pediatrics found
school program without leaving students
similar program at the five APS middle
eighth-graders home alone after school
in the classes of '99, 2000, 2001 and
schools in the county, also limited in
reported greater use of cigarettes, alcohol
2002 more vulnerable to dropping out,
terms of time. It lacks funds to operate
and marijuana. Lacking supervision, kids
lost in the funding transition.
PRESS RELEASES
130. PR Newswire
04/27/98 Category: Press release
U.S. Secretary of Education Honors Pontiac Central
H.S. And Delphi Automotive Systems for 'FIRST'
Achievements
TROY, Mich., April 27/PRNewswire/
School today, U.S. Secretary of
the
- In his visit to Pontiac Central High
Education Richard W. Riley applauded
school's participation and achievement
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101
in the "FIRST" program.
Pontiac," said Rodney O'Neal, Delphi
and Saginaw, Mich.; Warren, Ohio; and
"I'm excited about what's going on
general manager. "You can get interested
Kokomo, Ind., which won FIRST's
here," Riley said to an auditorium full
in math and science by reading a
National
of students, teachers, administrators,
textbook, but to get really excited about
Championship competition in Orlando,
city officials and Delphi Automotive
these subjects and to envision a career
Fla., earlier this month.
Systems engineers. "I was so happy and
in these fields, there's no substitute
Earlier this year, to help the non-profit
shocked when I went into the FIRST
for FIRST."
group expand its reach further,
team area and saw all those robotics and
FIRST, which stands for "For
Delphi and General Motors Corp.
all the learning taking place."
Inspiration and Recognition of Science
(NYSE: GM) donated $500,000, and
TD
and
Delphi
Riley used the school's success with
Technology," is an international
President J.T. Battenberg III joined
FIRST to underscore to students the
program designed to get high school
FIRST's board of directors.
importance of technology in education.
students
Delphi Automotive Systems, with
"Technology opens up many
as enthused about science, math and
headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is the
opportunities for learning," he said.
technology as an athletic competition.
world's most diversified supplier of
"Students at Pontiac Central understand
FIRST joins engineers and students
automotive components and systems.
that."
together for a specific mission: To
With
Pontiac Central has earned numerous
design, engineer and construct a fully
the recent integration of Delphi Delco
achievements since partnering with
functional robot, built from a kit that
Electronics Systems, Delphi operates
Delphi Automotive Systems three years
includes a control system, electrical
208 manufacturing facilities, 46
ago. The "Chief Delphi" team won three
components, motors, batteries, and other
ventures and 27 technical centers in 36
regionals this year, won the coveted
hardware in six weeks.
countries. Regional headquarters are
"Chairman's Award" in 1997, and earned
Delphi Automotive Systems, which
located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.
the national "Rookie All-Star" award in
has supported FIRST since its inception
Delphi can now be found on the Internet
1996.
in
at http://www.delphiauto.com 14:37
"We're really proud of our association
1992, sponsored five teams this year,
EDT
with the school and with the city of
including high schools in Pontiac, Flint
131. Xinhua English Newswire
04/27/98 Category: Press release
Clinton Administration Supports Bilingual Education
Clinton administration will send
ones that will help them find jobs in the
fewer children learning English and many
officials to California to stop a measure
future.
children falling further behind in their
that they said would dismantle the state's
The one-year immersion structure is
studies."
bilingual education programs and affect
a major mistake, Smith said. "The
Smith said, current law calls for, but
minority children's basic skills.
movement under way in California is not
does not require, non-English-speaking
Opposing a Proposition 227 that
based in sound policy or research."
children to go through three to five years
would replace a multiplicity of bilingual
The administration suggests an
of bilingual education.
education programs with a one-year
alternative with a nationwide goal of
At present, about 3.2 million students
course of instruction taught mostly in
limiting most children's participation in
have limited English skills, and 1.3
English, Marshal Smith, acting deputy
bilingual programs to three years.
million are in local and state bilingual
secretary of the Education Department,
Education Secretary Richard Riley
programs, the Education Department
said the move would leave school
said in a statement that Proposition 227
said.
children without needed skills, including
was not the way to go and it "will lead to
Of some 5 million California public
the 12th grade, about 1.4 million have
school students in kindergarten through
limited English proficiency.
132. U.S. Newswire
04/27/98 Category: Press release
Education Secretary Statement on Helping all Children
Learn English
WASHINGTON, April 27 /U.S.
education, one of the most important new
immigrants or the American-born
Newswire/ - Following is a statement
developments is the growing number of
children of immigrants.
by U.S. Education Secretary Richard
immigrant children that we must educate.
A new study of immigrant children
W. Riley on "Helping all Children Learn
According to the latest census data,
(note 1) states that 13.7 million children
English" (Part 1 of 2):
nearly 20 percent of all children in our
under 18 are either immigrants or the
As we look to the future of American
nation's schools - one out of five - are
American-born offspring of immigrants,
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102
and that they are the fastest growing part
first time that the task of educating
the voters of California. I know that there
of our student population. These children
millions of new immigrants to become
are many well-intentioned and concerned
come from over 150 nations with the
good citizens has been given to our
citizens on both sides of this issue and
largest number coming from Mexico, the
nation's public schools. At the turn of the
that the people of California are taking
Phillippines, Cuba, and Vietnam.
century our nation's public schools
this issue seriously.
Some Americans say that these
successfully taught millions of new
New immigrants have a passion to
children are a liability, but I welcome
immigrants English and educated them
learn English and they want the best for
these children, just as the Statue of
about our democracy.
their children. We must focus on what is
Liberty or the Golden Gate Bridge has
Today, we face the same challenge.
best for the children and in this
welcomed them for years. They are a
There are school districts in almost every
increasingly diverse society we must
great source of strength and hope for the
part of our country - from Boston to
make sure that all of America's children
future of America, and we want them to
Seattle to Miami where children speak
are given the best education possible. Our
be full participants in the American
more than 40 languages. I believe that
common goal in teaching children
experience as children and as adults.
our nation's public schools can
English should be to support those
These young people, just like
successfully educate these young people
approaches that ensure that
generations of immigrants who have
if we give them the same opportunities
Limited-English-Proficient
(LEP)
come before them, can grow up to be
that other students need in order to
children are both speaking English and
patriotic Americans who will add their
succeed: higher standards, safe schools,
making academic progress.
voices to our democracy if we educate
smaller classes, well-prepared teachers,
Proposition 227, however, is not the
them to the best of our ability and treat
technology in the classroom, after-school
way to go. In my opinion, adoption of the
them as we would like to be treated.
activities, and schools that are
Unz Amendment will lead to fewer
Indeed, the largest survey ever conducted
accountable for results.
children learning English and many
of immigrant children found that these
President Clinton has made education
children falling further behind in their
young people had higher grades and a
his number one domestic priority to
studies. There are five significant reasons
lower school drop-out rate than other
achieve one end - to prepare all of
why I believe that the Unz Amendment is
children and overwhelmingly preferred to
America's children - native-born and
counter-productive to a quality education
speak English by the time they were
immigrant - for the 21st century.
for all of our children.
teenagers. (note 2).
President Clinton has also increased
First, the one year time limit and
These young people represent the
funding for those programs - Title I,
one-size-fits-all approach to learning
hopes of immigrant parents who have
immigrant and bilingual education,
English flies in the face of years of
come to America because they believe in
migrant education, adult education -
research that tells us that children learn in
the American dream. They have stood in
that directly serve a disproportionate
different ways and at different speeds. A
long visa lines, uprooted their families,
number of immigrant children and their
recent National Research Council report
left relatives behind, changed careers,
families.
(note 3) released last month states that,
often accepted menial jobs and in many
Today, however, there are growing
"hurrying young non-English speaking
cases now work two jobs for one great
questions about the best way to teach
children into reading in English without
purpose - to give their children a better
these young people English. In
ensuring adequate preparation is
life in America. Surely we can meet
California, these concerns about how to
counter-productive." The report
these people half-way by giving their
teach English center around Proposition
recommends that children with no
children the best education possible so
227, the Unz Initiative, which would
English proficiency are best taught to
that they can make their contribution to
effectively eliminate bilingual education
read English by first being taught reading
the American mainstream.
and require that all children learn English
in their native language, if teachers and
Teaching these young people English
in one year.
instructional materials in their native
is one of the great tasks of
I recognize that the decision to vote
language are available.
nation-building and it falls to our public
for or against the Unz Initiative this
schools to accomplish. This is not the
coming June is ultimately a decision for
Thus, while an English-only approach
in a timely and responsible manner.
given no option to use their professional
may be effective for some
By analogy, if we adopted the
judgement.
limited-English-proficient children, it is
approach suggested by the Unz Initiative
Third, Proposition 227 would subject
likely to be ineffective for others. I do not
to help children learn to read, it would be
teachers, school board members, and
oppose special English instructional
a disaster. Some children are already
educational administrators to personal
programs. In fact, about 25 percent of our
good readers when they come to
liability in litigation by parents if they fail
current federal bilingual funds support
kindergarten and others learn by the end
to comply with its requirements. I find
this type of instructional approach. What
of the first or second grades. Other
this aspect of Proposition 227 both
I question is the arbitrary one-year time
children need extra help even in third
punitive and threatening. This is not the
limit and the demand that only this
grade and beyond.
way to build parent-teacher cooperation
approach is the right approach to help
Second, the Unz Amendment limits
- a key to student success.
young people learn English.
the discretion of teachers to choose the
Fourth, the Unz Initiative is a direct
The approach taken by Proposition
approach that is best suited for the
attack on local control of education. I am
227 simply ignores the individual needs
children they teach. Some children may
surprised that so many outspoken
of each child and certainly is an
learn best in an English-only class, others
advocates of local control have chosen
educational straitjacket for teachers and
may learn faster in a bilingual class or
not to take issue with this fundamental
parents. Good teaching starts with a
through some other proven approach, but
flaw in the Unz Initiative. The Unz
child's needs and moves the child along
with the Unz approach, teachers are
Initiative would not be a helping hand for
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103
language instruction, but rather the heavy
common goal of making sure children
approach to teaching English that simply
hand of overregulation. Local flexibility
learn English while making academic
does not achieve positive results for a
to choose the approaches that work best
progress in other subjects as well.
large number of children, then the school
for their students should not be
I believe that there is a reasonable and
district must have the good sense to fix
constrained by a mandate for one
positive alternative to the current
the problem or use another approach that
approach over the other. I believe that
status-quo and the proposed Unz
research shows will work. The focus of
every school district should choose the
alternative.
every
program
-
be
it
approach that works best for them based
I propose setting a three-year goal to
English-as-a-Second Language, dual
on sound research.
make sure that a child is learning English.
language immersion, bilingual education,
Fifth, the Unz Initiative will in all
Individual differences and circumstances
or English immersion - must be on
likelihood result in problems under
may cause some children to take longer,
strengthening quality, regardless of the
federal civil rights laws. In the seminal
but a goal of learning English within
approach.
case of Lau v. Nichols, the Supreme
three years is reasonable. This goal is
I believe that the key to strengthening
Court interpreted Title VI of the Civil
similar to our goal of making sure that
quality is well-trained teachers and we
Rights Act to require school districts to
every child learns to read independently
must do a much better job of meeting the
take steps to ensure that national origin
by the end of third grade or earlier. We
demand for more well-prepared teachers.
minority students with limited English
know that goals and standards improve
The demand for bilingual teachers, for
proficiency can effectively participate in
academic performance: when we set
example, currently exceeds the supply
the regular educational program.
goals, we find, to a greater degree than
and that is particularly true in California
we thought possible, that students can
where the number of LEP children has
Similarly, the Equal Educational
meet them.
nearly doubled to 1.3 million in less than
Opportunity Act requires public
A goal is not a mandate or a
a decade. The California State Board of
educational agencies to overcome
command. And a goal is certainly not a
Education estimates that there is a
language barriers that impede student
one year educational straitjacket that
shortage of 21,000 bilingual teachers in
participation in their instructional
limits the ability of teachers to do what is
that state.
programs. Limiting special language
best for each child. Some children may
This, I suspect, is one of the root
development instruction to one year and
learn English in one year or two and
causes and real reasons why some parents
preventing a school from providing
others may need three years or even
have become frustrated. The
bilingual instruction to students, despite
more. The focus should be on the
Administration has asked for a doubling
the judgment of teachers and the school
individual needs of each child and not on
of federal funds, from $25 million to $50
principal that children in that school need
some artificial and arbitrary time frame.
million, to meet the increasing demand
bilingual instruction to progress, are
Goals should be combined with
for fully certified bilingual teachers and
likely to result in violations under these
flexibility and accountability. I believe in
English-as-second-language teachers.
laws.
giving local school districts latitude to
I have no doubt that this nation has the
I join all Californians who are
design their own programs contingent on
capacity to include our many new
unhappy with the status-quo and I
their being accountable for the results.
immigrants and their children in the
understand the frustration that is
Parents have a right to expect progress.
American experience. We must do
encouraging many voters to think about
Children should be tested periodically for
everything possible to make sure that all
voting for the Unz Initiative. But the
English proficiency and when a child is
of these children learn English as quickly
approach of the Unz Initiative is just
falling behind, extra efforts including
as possible and get the quality education
plain wrong. Proposition 227 may satisfy
after-school classes as well as summer
that they deserve.
people's sense of frustration but
school should certainly be considered.
ultimately it is counter-productive to our
If a school district chooses an
Finally, I think American educators
children should not be their equals. Some
goal of making sure that every one of
need to redouble their efforts to make
children already come to school with the
their high school graduates will speak
sure that all of our children are fluent in
ability to speak two languages. We
two languages fluently by the time they
two languages. I just returned from Chile
should build on this linguistic base and
graduate.
where I joined President Clinton at the
recognize that our nation will be the
We can do no less for today's
second Summit of the Americas.
better for it in the new global
immigrants than we did for earlier
Improving education was a central part of
environment.
generations of immigrants who turned to
the dialogue at this summit. I was struck
Think of the many advantages -
our nation's public schools to teach them
by the fact that several nations begin
economic, cultural and political - that a
English and the basics of our democracy.
teaching their children two languages
fluency in two languages can give to the
In conclusion, I urge all Americans to
starting in the first grade.
American people. America's message of
welcome America's new citizens and to
Anyone who has traveled to Europe
democracy, human rights and economic
help them to become part of the
knows that young people all over Europe
freedom would surely reach a wider
American dream.
are fluent in two and often three
audience. This is why I encourage and
languages. I see no reason why our
support any school district that sets the
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