Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 15, 1993 TAG: 9308150047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Where do the candidates stand on outcome-based education?
- Libbie McCutcheon, Roanoke
Mary Sue Terry:
"All of us are concerned about what's happening in our schools. I think the overarching problem is guns in schools. I happen to be the only candidate in the race who's for a five-day waiting period for the purchase of handguns.
"We had 2,000 reported cases last year of weapons in our schools, and I think we need to do something about them. I'm prepared to take a leadership role. In order for kids to learn again, we've got to make schools safe again. That's a threshold requirement.
"I support the proposition that we need to increase the standards in the public schools, that we need to get back to the basics with reading and writing and arithmetic and basic writing and other communications skills. I also believe that we need to be careful that the schools do not supplant the family as the principal source of values that are imparted to students.
"At the same time, however, not all of our students are blessed with the attentive support of parents, and the schools often serve as a safety net. I have concerns about outcome-based education. I think that what's good about this process is we have more people now involved and focused on our schools curriculum, and I think that's positive. But I would have to take a good hard look at what's being considered now and believe that there probably need to be some significant changes before I'd be comfortable with proceeding along the lines that are being suggested.
"But, having said that, I believe the process of looking at how we can make our schools work better is a good one. I think it's good that it's attracted the attention of the public and, particularly, parents. And I hope that we can harness all that positive energy in ways that can make our schools safer, make our curriculum stronger and promote parental involvement and community participation on a broad-based basis; and beyond that, that we'll find the will and a way to deal with the disparity issue in education so that our students will have a level playing field in Virginia."
George Allen:
"I'm opposed to it. I think they're running an unproven experiment on our children's minds and future. I have a daughter who's entering kindergarten this year, and I want her, and other children, to be getting courses and curriculum that are proven to be useful.
"My view is, rather than these experiments that are based on out-of-state consultants who we are spending tens of thousands of dollars on, we should be getting back to basics in education - reading, writing, math, science, history. I'm opposed to outcome-based education."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB