CB>Quotes are taken from a message written by Tom to Sheila on 05/15/96...
CB>TC>A mil spec is a standard that must be met by a supplier.  Setting this
  >TC>standard may in fact create a product that is not of the highest
  >TC>possible quality for the $$$$ spent.  A National Curriculum by design
  >TC>would probably be dumbed down to accommodate the lesser academically
  >TC>inclined students.  The result could be that districts who must only
  >TC>meet this minimum standard would be overly generic.
CB>You could, of course, be right.  However, if you read *all* of what I
  >have written about the concept of a national standard, you will
  >understand that the purpose is to establish a very HIGH standard.
  >Several times I have mentioned and posted articles by Al Shanker that
  >mention, that the standards must be at world-class levels. i.e., levels
  >that would place those meeting the standards on a par with the best in
  >the world.
CB>Setting standards that do not force our schools to move forward would be
  >a waste of time.
You make two key points here.  The first is setting standards and not
forcing compliance is a waste of time.  The state of Arkansas on three
occasions I know of tried to raise standards and was sued by the good
ole NAACP.
The second is the setting of a high academic standard.  I have read the
information and agree with much of its content.  I am also a realist and
realize that the Federal government will have no more success in raising
standards than do local school districts, or state boards of education.
Then there is always the question of who will set the standards, in what
subject areas, and who will monitor the implementation.  I think we are
back to the $$$$$$$ question again.  If localities must fund the schools
they should be able to set the standard without interference from
outside forces.  Maybe vouchers are not such a bad idea after all.
CB>TC>In addition I would like to see the US adopt a modified version
  >TC>of the european style of education system.
CB>We are in total agreement here.
CB>Chuck Beams
  >Fidonet - 1:2608/70
  >cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
  >___
  >* UniQWK #5290* A good deed never goes unpunished (Gore Vidal).
CB>--- Maximus 2.01wb
___
 X QMPro 1.53 X All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.
--- Maximus 2.02
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