Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993 TAG: 9306080333
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
We need to give this program closer examination. He indicated this is just the initiative to prepare students for the 21st century.
Upon examination of the draft, however, I ask Jones to be specific with "what students should know and be able to do by graduation." I find little or no specific skills mentioned from the three R's. We need to know exactly what changes will be made and how we can be assured they will improve our present educational system.
In the past, I have seen new ideas implemented to improve student performance. Few of these are in operation today because they failed. Should students be used as guinea pigs on yet another educational whim? We need to see "evidence" that this program will succeed. We need to know that our children will be better-educated and better-equipped to meet the challenges they face as adults.
Test results from another state using the "Common Core of Learning" show a decline in student performance. Let's be sure of the results before spending the estimated $300 to $400 million to implement this program.
JANICE MOODY
BLUE RIDGE
by CNB