SK>-> To set a National goal as we did in the race to the moon would be
  >-> beneficial IMO.
SK>Now I think you're beginning to get the idea. This is a pretty good
  >analogy, I think.
We had one of our famous round tables last night at the Cotton house. I
challenged the boys to give me one real example of any national goal
since the race to the moon that was accomplished by this country,
neither had a clue.  We have become a nation of individuals with our
hands out for whatever free ride we can obtain.  Our country gain far
more from the space race than we ever invested.  It was real, obtainable
and measurable.  If education could have such a goal I believe far more
people would become involved in the process and the entire country would
benefit.
SK>-> The key to a successful National standard would be a well advertised
  >-> program where parents could understand that their students are either
  >-> receiving an adequate education or are not.
SK>This is the type of thing Dave Mainwaring was usually bringing up. How
  >best to accomplish such a thing, I'm not sure.
Teachers need to become activist for their field of endeavor.  I have
herd comments about how outsiders do not understand what it is to be a
teacher.  I would have to counter with get the word out.  Get REALLY
involved with the community.  If they don't have to work in the
summer go to local community meetings and present education to the
public.  Tell them where we are and where we could be.  Have a plan on
how to get there.  Most communities have cable TV and a public
information program that could be used as a forum.  Talk to local news
papers about a weekly column on education.  While it would involve extra
work few things of value are easily obtained.  Education reform is no
different IMO.
SK> Sometimes
  >I wonder, though, if the parents and students don't have their head
  >in the sand.
No need to wonder, students are simply lacking in experience and most
parents have little or no idea of the quality of education their child
obtains.  When they get to college they learn very quickly,
unfortunately it is too late to do a great deal about it.
SK>For example, I generally control the enrollment for the Honors Geometry
  >course. In order to avoid problems with students entering the program
  >who are not capable of the material, I have a mandatory information
  >meeting about the course, an information sheet that must go home and be
  >signed by the parents, and a test to get into the class.
That same practice was tried in a couple of Arkansas schools, followed
by a law suit, NAACP, and dropping of all but basic requirements for the
class.  It really is not normally a problem for the class though as the
ones lacking in skill rarely get through the first grading period
before dropping the course.
SK> At our school, the
  >math teachers control math placement, not the counseling office. This
  >seems to throw a lot of parents for a loop, as they assume the reverse
  >is true.
Here the counselors are the primary schedulers.  In all three of the
districts in Arkansas where my children attended that was the case.  I
always assumed it was cleared through the Math Staff.
TC
___
 X QMPro 1.53 X All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.
--- Maximus 2.02
---------------