Responding to a message by Carl, to Charles on ...
CB> CB> If asked to explain why they have little interest 
CB>CB> in school performance, the
CB>CB> businesses would undoubtedly have said that high 
CB>CB> school graduates are often
CB>CB> so poorly prepared that it is not worth the time 
CB>CB> and expense to see whether
CB>Hmmm, I have a hard time agreeing with this--did Mr. Shanker really ask 
CB>businesses?
I can't really speak for Al Shanker, but it *is* obvious that he has 
spent a good deal of time talking to business leaders from across the 
nation.  He has attended, and reported on, any number of educational 
conferences involving business leaders, including the big bash in New 
Jersey last spring.
CB>Seems to be putting his own perceptions on education.
True, but who among us puts somebody else's spin on the issues?  Are you 
arguing Rom McDermott's side this week?  
CB>I wonder again about the source of information 
CB>about our graduates being poorly prepared.
Well, that issue is certainly debatable - we've argued it before.  I 
won't rehash all of the articles that point to American children scoring 
lower than children in other nations for fear that then you'd rehash all 
of the arguments about poor tests, different cultures, etc.  The point 
is, there is credible evidence to support Al's position, whether you 
agree with it or not.
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* Anything not nailed down is a cat toy.
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