In response to a message to Charles on ...
SK>What I meant is that I don't feel the State legislature or Federal
SK>congressmen and senators, or governors, or even the President 
SK>should be specifically designing curriculum requirements, 
SK>standards, or tests designed to show qualification, nor requiring 
SK>or developing tests.
SK>
SK>It is the California State Legislature that decided, many years ago, now,
SK>that California teachers should have to take this CBEST test. The 
SK>test didn't exist at that time. The legislators conceived of it 
SK>and what skills should be assessed on the test, etc...
Well, there's certainly nothing to say you can't feel that way, but 
the way our country is set up, the state governments have EXACTLY 
that responsibility.  Each handles it differently - in NY the 
legislature elects state board members (called the NYS Board of 
Regents) who do the day-to-day job of running the schools and the 
certification of all licensed professions, but it is the legislature 
that has the final word.
SK>I heard recently about one state whose state legislators actually decided
SK>on a particular topic of history that the schools should all teach.
One NY legislator got a bill passed that mandates the teaching of 
the Irish famine in the schools.
SK>These types of things lie outside the realm of expertise of our
SK>legislators.  Such things should be decided by those with 
SK>experience in the field of education.
Our state legislature has a number of mandates regarding the 
schools, including instruction in AIDS, bicycle safety, etc.  They 
may not know as much as we'd like, but they are the ruling body.
Who should be in charge in your view?
Chuck
Chuck Beams
cbeams@dreamscape.com
http://www.dreamscape.com/cbeams
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