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--- Wednesday --- July 23, 1997 --- Vol. 1 --- No. 12 ---
THE NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL
NEGP Weekly
The Update on America's National Education Goals
__________ __________
HIGH TECH FOR PAW PAW | SPOTLIGHT |
The Paw Paw (Mich.) Public | |
Schools has selected IBM to | MUSIC MATTERS |
help carry out a $2.8M | |
technology initiative (IBM | "Music is the language of |
press release, 6/30). IBM will | young children, and if |
provide voice, data and video | civility is to be |
in every district building, | sustained, introduction to |
including design and | music in all its richness |
installation of a highspeed, | surely must be at the very |
districtwide network and a new | heart of the core |
telecommunications system. | curriculum in every |
Paw Paw will use IBM's | school." -- Ernest Boyer |
SchoolVista instructional | |
management software, which | Besides enriching the |
allows teachers and students to | cultural lives of children, |
communicate online and use | music advocates point to |
instructional software "quickly | recent findings that show |
and easily." SchoolVista will | children with music |
allow teachers to assign topics | training have significantly |
from various instructional | greater improvement in |
software titles and place those | their spatial temporal |
assignments in student work | reasoning skills -- skills |
folders, all on the computer | needed to learn math and |
desktop. Students then can | science -- than their peers |
complete the assignments | who were given like amounts |
online, collaborate with other | of computer training. A |
students, and place the work | recent poll finds that |
back in their folders for | Americans agree that music |
teachers to review. | matters in school.(#1) |
IBM will provide 500 new | |
personal computers and teacher | Unfortunately, money |
training. For more info, call | matters too, which often |
800/IBM-4EDU OR | means cuts in the arts. |
www.solutions.ibm.com/k12. |_____________________________|
============== QUOTE OF THE DAY ==============
"Two years after its approval by the Legislature, home rule is an
education reform still waiting for its first test."
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS (Stutz, 7/17). (#7)
_______________________________________________________________
| (c) by the Education Policy Network, Inc. |
| 1255 22nd Street NW; Washington, D.C. 20010; 202/632-0952 |
| EPN, Inc. hereby authorizes further reproduction and |
| distribution with proper acknowledgement. |
| Publisher: Barbara A. Pape |
|_______________________________________________________________|
============== TABLE OF CONTENTS ==============
GOAL THREE: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND CITIZENSHIP
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: Should be heard more in schools. (#1)
MARYLAND TEACHERS: Thumbs up to state test. (#2)
GOAL FOUR: TEACHER ED/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMEN
TEACHER WARRANTY: Ala.'s attempt to raise teacher quality. (#3)
TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS: Clinton's urban agenda. (#4)
GOAL SIX: ADULT LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING
ONE-STOP-SHOPPING: For retail employees. (#5)
RESEARCH NOTES
CLEVELAND'S VOUCHER PROGRAM: Salvation it is not, says AFT.(#6)
NEWS UPDATES
NEWS BRIEFS: Home rule, charters, "home remedies" and more.(#7)
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===== GOAL THREE: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND CITIZENSHIP =====
*1 THE SOUND OF MUSIC: SHOULD BE HEARD MORE IN SCHOOLS
An increasing number of Americans want schools to provide
instrumental music instruction, according to a recent survey
conducted by the Gallup Organization (American Music Conference
press release, 7/9). Eighty-eight percent of respondents agreed
that schools should offer instrumental music instruction as part
of the regular curriculum, up from 84% in 1992.
The American Music Conference notes that the finding "comes
on the heels" of scientific research that found intellectual
benefits of music training on children. According to the
release, a study published earlier this year in the journal
"Neurological Research" found that children with music training
showed significantly greater improvement in their spatial
temporal reasoning skills -- which are needed for learning math
and science -- than their peers who were given like amounts of
computer training.
Other findings from the survey; 70% of respondents said
music education should be mandated by the states to ensure that
children receive music exposure; almost 9 in 10 definitely agree
that music helps a child's overall intellectual development; 59%
of children aged 12-17 first learned to play an instrument at
school, compared with 26% fifty years ago; and playing a musical
instrument typically begins between the ages of five and 14,
which is 86% of all current and former players.
For further information, contact the American Music
Conference; 57900 Armada Drive; Carlsbad, Calif. 92008; 760/438-
8001. Visit AMC's web site at www.amc-music.com.
The Council for Basic Education has published in its
quarterly "Perspective" an article titled "Music in Our Schools."
The article provides reasons for music education for all
children, explains how music is taught in today's classrooms and
cites examples of exemplary programs throughout the country.
Copies of the publication are available for $2.50 by
contacting the Council for Basic Education; 1319 F Street NW;
Suite 900; Washington, D.C. 20004-1152; 202/347-4171. Visit
CBE's web site at www.info@c-b-e.org
*2 MARYLAND TEACHERS: THUMBS UP TO STATE TEST
A recent survey of members of the Maryland State Teachers
Association found that 60% of those surveyed give high scores to
the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (Waldron,
Baltimore SUN, 7/16). The teachers surveyed said the assessment
program is improving the education of students in their school.
"In short, MSTA members who work most closely with MSPAP
believe it supports our commitment to ensuring that each Maryland
child has an opportunity to learn," union President Karl Pence
told state lawmakers at a recent hearing. The seven-year-old
MSPAP is given yearly to public school students in grades 3, 5
and 8. According to the paper, test questions require students
to "write extensively" and are designed to "measure each school
against statewide standards."
Some critics of the assessment complain of inappropriate
questions, such as one that asked students to write about a
murder, notes the paper. Others disapprove of questions that
allegedly test attitudes and feelings rather than academic
content.
However, the most common complaint is over the secrecy that
some parents say surrounds the test. The SUN reports that
parents are not allowed to see the actual test their child takes,
"although they can see tests from prior years."
State school Superintendent Nancy Grasmick responded to the
criticism by creating two panels to oversee the testing program.
One panel is charged with reviewing questions for potential
controversy and the other is to monitor the entire MSPAP process,
reports the paper.
Grasmick also intends to "seriously" consider a complaint
registered by many teachers, who say the test, which is given
over a five-day period in May, takes up too large a block of
time. Teachers recommend that the test be given in shorter
segments throughout the school year, notes the paper. "It's too
long for the children who take the tests and it's too long for
the children whose instruction is virtually suspended while MSPAP
is being administered to the other students," said Pence.
===== GOAL FOUR: TEACHER ED/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT =====
*3 TEACHER WARRANTY: ALA.'S ATTEMPT TO RAISE TEACHER QUALITY
A new Ala. state law requires school boards to send failing
teachers back to their college alma maters (Staed, Chicago SUN-
TIMES, 7/14). The law went into effect 1 July.
According to the paper, seven years ago the U of Montevallo
began offering guarantees with its education graduates. "It's
made us more reflective for our own program," said Terry
Roberson, dean of the College of Education at the U of
Montevallo. "We scrutinize everything we do. Roberson added
that of the 1,200 graduates since the First Year Teacher Quality
Assurance Program, only four schools asked for teacher's
warranties to be honored.
The SUN-TIMES notes that Montevallo's program applied to
students with "B" or better averages and lasted for a year, while
the new state law will apply to any graduate and runs for two
years. Betty McManis, a spokeswoman for the Ala. DoEd explained
that a new evaluation instrument will be used to assess teacher
progress.
One school leader predicted that the new law will limit
"ivory tower" courses at colleges of education and lead to more
practical experiences for teachers-in-training. Jack Farr,
superintendent of Hoover City Schools, predicted that the new law
will force colleges of education to "be more diligent with the
people who graduate from their teacher programs."
*4 TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS: CLINTON'S URBAN AGENDA
President Clinton during a speech before the NAACP
convention in Pittsburgh last week unveiled his plan for placing
more qualified teachers in inner-city schools. Modeled after his
police "Officer Next Door" program, the initiative would grant
college scholarships to individuals who would agree to work in
"troubled schools in high-poverty areas" for at least three years
(Shogren, L.A. TIMES, 7/17).
"There's a very acute need for qualified teachers that must
be addressed in the schools that serve large numbers of minority
students," explained Mike Cohen, a special presidential advisor
on education.
Under the plan, local school districts would join forces
with universities to develop an individualized plan to meet their
specific needs -- "a program to attract bilingual teachers, for
example, or instructors trained in science," notes the WASH POST
(Baker, 7/17). The district then would offer scholarships of
several thousands dollars to students who promise to work for at
least three years in local schools.
According to the papers, Clinton is requesting $350M over
five years to be divided between the scholarship programs and
"more general funding to upgrade the quality of teacher
training," writes the TIMES. White House officials anticipate
that the initiative would subsidize the tuition of 35,000 of the
350,000 teachers expected to be needed in the nation's largest
and most disadvantaged school districts over the next five years,
explains both papers.
The POST notes that the program requires Congressional
approval and the White House plans to include it in the
reauthorization of the higher education act.
===== GOAL SIX: ADULT LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING =====
*5 ONE-STOP-SHOPPING: FOR RETAIL EMPLOYEES
The National Skill Standards Board in conjunction with the
National Retail Federation last month opened the King of Prussia
(Pa.) Retail Skill Center. "The center is a model for
recruiting, training, and certifying professional retail
employees across the country to build the retail workforce of the
21st century," said NSSB Executive Director Edie West. "The
impetus for the King of Prussia Center results from an increased
demand for retail sales associates with a commitment to excellent
customer service."
According to a NSSB press release, the Center will serve as
a one-stop career center. The Center will develop connections to
community-based organizations, job training and placement
agencies and area schools and colleges. Eventually, Center
students will be able to achieve educational and industry
credentials through a program that integrates classroom and
workplace learning.
The retail center is one of 16 pilot projects sponsored by
the NSSB, and the first in the retail sector. It is expected to
serve as a prototype for the development of skill standards for
the retail industry.
"This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for Southern
Pennsylvania, not just for those retailers who will soon be able
to gain access to a skilled labor pool, but also for thousands of
men and women who are seeking the skills to enter the work
force," said Pa. Gov Tom Ridge (R).
From the release: "The NSSB coordinates the development of
a uniform system of voluntary workplace standards that will help
American businesses compete in the global marketplace. The
standards are transferable across various sectors of the economy,
including the retail industry. The system of voluntary skill
standards will more clearly define the knowledge, basic skills
and technical skills needed by employees and employers for hiring
and promotion."
For more information, visit the NSSB's web site at
www.nssb.org; or call 202/254-8628.
==== RESEARCH NOTES ====
*6 CLEVELAND'S VOUCHER PROGRAM: SALVATION IT IS NOT, SAYS AFT
For those who herald school voucher programs as the
salvation for American education, the American Federation of
Teachers has issued a blow in its new report "The Cleveland
Voucher Program: Who Chooses? Who Gets Chosen? Who Pays?"
"Vouchers are sold to the public as a rescue mission for
poor children trapped in failing public schools," said AFT
President Sandra Feldman. "But this early evidence from
Cleveland, as well as dismal results from the Milwaukee voucher
program, show that vouchers are not the answer to improving the
educational prospects of poor children. What's tragic is that
the money could have been used for proven public school programs
that work for all youngsters."
The report, based on information provided by various Ohio
education officials, found that vouchers are more expensive than
commonly believed. From an AFT press release: "Although $5.25
million was allocated for the voucher, the actual cost was $6.45
million. The $5.25 million allocation was taken from the
Cleveland Public schools' share of state funds for disadvantaged
students. State records show that the average voucher payment
was $1,763, but this does not include costs for transportation,
administration, and state aid already given to private schools.
Factoring in those expenses brings the actual cost to $3,192 per
voucher students."
Other findings from the report: Cleveland's voucher program
did not "appreciably" increase educational choices available to
parents of students in "failing " public schools, since 67% of
the nearly 2,000 students receiving vouchers were either students
already in private schools or students who had never attended
school before (kindergarteners); about one-half of the public
school students who qualified for vouchers did not enroll in
private schools, probably because they were unable to find seats
in the private school of their choice; and voucher students who
had previously been enrolled in private schools held a "monopoly"
on placements in the established private schools.
The report also found that few accountability provisions
apply to voucher schools since participating private school do
not have to meet the same academic standards as public schools or
account for how they spend public funds.
Cleveland's voucher program began in September 1996. It
allows a small number of disadvantaged student to receive
publicly funded vouchers worth up to $4,450.
An Ohio appeals court in May 1997 determined that the
voucher program violates federal and state constitutional
provisions prohibiting government aid to religion. According to
the report, the ruling overturned a lower court judge who in July
1996 ruled the program constitutional. State officials are
appealing the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Copies of the report are available at the AFT's website:
www.aft.org/research/reports/clev/contents.htm.
==== NEWS UPDATES ====
*7 NEWS BRIEFS: HOME RULE, CHARTERS, HOME REMEDIES AND MORE
PHILADELPHIA: A state arbitrator ruled earlier this month
that school Superintendent David Hornbeck improperly ordered the
mass transfer of teachers from two failing city high schools
(Jones and Mezzacappa, Philadelphia INQUIRER, 7/10). In
February, Hornbeck transferred all teachers from Olney and
Audenried High School for what he called "persistent under-
achievement," writes the paper. The Philadelphia Federation of
Teachers filed a complaint with the state Labor Relations Board,
citing multiple violations of the teacher contract. After four
days of testimony, arbitrator Richard Kasher concurred with
almost all of the union's charges.
HOME RULE: None of Texas' 1,044 school districts has sought
the much ballyhooed local control status, which would free
districts from most state rules and regulations (Stutz, DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 7/17). From the paper: "Two years after its
approval by the Legislature, home rule is an education reform
still waiting for its first test."
The paper notes that home rule was viewed by many as the
"cornerstone" of the state's 1995 education reform law. A
spokesperson for Gov George Bush (R) said the lack of home-rule
applications demonstrates that districts "no longer feel burdened
by state controls," writes the paper. "Home rule is a safety
valve against greater centralized control of education, and that
is a situation we do not have today in Texas," said Ray Sullivan,
with the Bush administration.
"We always thought it was a phony argument that school
districts were prevented from doing creative things because of
too many state regulations," commented John Cole, president of
the Texas Federation of Teachers. He added that home rule was a
solution to "a problem that didn't exist in Texas."
CHARTER SCHOOLS: Dallas is on the verge of having its
second charter school open its doors in the fall (Henry, DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 7/17), The Pegasus Charter School, which intends
to offer a "rigorous" curriculum and small class size, has raised
$75,000 in start-up costs. However, it needs an additional
$150,000 plus $200,000 to purchase equipment outlined in its
education plan. State funds will start to flow to the school
once it is open.
The Pegasus project initially began under the name of
Genesis Charter School. However, the Genesis project was
challenged in court by Dallas school officials who charged the
charter would harm desegregation. Although U.S. District Judge
Barefoot Sanders ruled in favor of the charter, it was too late
for it to open last August, reports the paper.
Expected enrollment for this year is about 100, with the
student body growing to about 300.
Five charter-school applicants made their case before the
school board earlier this month in Philadelphia (Jones,
Philadelphia INQUIRER, 7/18). The state recently passed
legislation permitting charter schools. Applications have been
received from: The Community Academy, "already a private school
that serves some of the district's most troubled students;"
Harambee Institute of Science and Technology, "produced in
conjunction with the 24-year-old Harambee Institute -- a
nonprofit West Philadelphia community organization -- the
institute would focus on science and technology for grades K to
8;" The Philadelphia Academy of Culinary Arts, "as a cousin of
the JNA Institute, an associate degree program that teaches
culinary skills to recent graduates, the academy would do the
same for high school students;" YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter
School, the charter would offer on-the-job training in
construction to high school dropouts; and the World
Communications Charter School, which would focus on technology
and communication, writes the paper.
According to the paper, 97 groups have applied statewide for
$25,000 charter school planning grants; 60 were awarded the
funds.
"HOME REMEDIES:" The Family Research Council has produced a
new publication to help parents choose appropriate reading
materials and curriculum guides for their children. "Home
Remedies" is billed as "reading lists and curriculum aids to
promote your child's educational well-being." An introduction
writes that "Home Remedies" will help children "receive a well-
balanced education in the basics and will provide ideas for
enticing extras."
The first section of the publication is a reading list for
different reading levels -- from pre-school to high school. The
second section "contains tips and sources for specific subjects,
like history, math and science."
"Home Remedies" also includes a reference section and a list
of publishers. For more information contact the Family Research
Council; 801 G Street NW; Washington, D.C. 20001; 202/393-2100;
www.frc.org
THE NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS
* GOAL 1: READY TO LEARN
All children in America will start school ready to learn.
* GOAL 2: SCHOOL COMPLETION
The high school graduation rate will increase to at least
90 percent.
* GOAL 3: STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND CITIZENSHIP
All students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having
demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter including
English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and
government, economics, arts, history, and geography, and every
school in America will ensure that all students earn to use their
minds well, so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship,
further learning, and productive employment in our Nation' modern
economy.
* GOAL 4: TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Nation's teaching force will have access to programs for
the continued improvement of their professional skills and the
opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to
instruct and prepare all American students for the next century.
* GOAL 5: MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
United States students will be first in the world in
mathematics and science achievement.
* GOAL 6: ADULT LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING
Every adult American will be literate and will possess the
knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and
exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
* GOAL 7: SAFE, DISCIPLINED, & ALCOHOL- AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS
Every school in the United States will be free of drugs,
violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol
and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning.
* GOAL 8: PARENTAL PARTICIPATION
Every school will promote partnerships that will increase
parental involvement and participation in promoting the social,
emotional, and academic growth of children.
_______________________________________________________________
| National Education Goals Panel |
| 1255 22nd Street NW; Suite 502; Washington, D.C. 20037 |
| 202/632-0957 (Fax); e-mail: negp@goalline.org |
| Web site: www.negp.gov |
|_______________________________________________________________|
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org