Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 16, 1993 TAG: 9309160120
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Here is what they had to say:
Wayne Harris is superintendent of Roanoke schools. He earlier had embraced the "sound philosophy" of World Class Education, of which the common core of learning is a major component.
"When people talk about outcome-based education, they've used it in a context that ties it to the school system stepping over into the role of the family. . . . Frankly, I think that has been a very narrow definition and view. I never saw World Class Education doing that. I'm embracing its tenets - sound education and practice. I will continue to embrace that, not in violation of what the governor has told us to do. But call it what you will - sound education philosophy."
Wayne Tripp is superintendent of the Salem school system. The system had treaded cautiously on outcome-based education, adopting a "wait-and-see" attitude, he said.
"I had some concerns about the common core of learning's lack of academic meat. I kept wondering, `Where's the math, history, science?' But what amazes me is that outcome-based education, in its simplest form of definition, is nothing more than what kids learn and do as a result of being in school. What's wrong with that? . . . But all of a sudden, it's being seen as some horrible boondoggle, some effort at mind manipulation.
"We shouldn't be having this kind of discussion [in the governor's race] over an issue like this. . . . You're trying to do what's best and what you see is education becoming a political football - again. It causes one to become a little cynical."
Bob Denton is a political analyst who heads Virginia Tech's communication department. He was asked about political ramifications of Wilder's move.
"For Wilder to change this now is rather ironic. It does indeed strengthen that issue for [Republican gubernatorial candidate] George Allen. [Allen has said that outcome-based education would be detrimental to Virginia's public education system.] The timing is extremely awkward. It plays right into the main assumptions of George Allen. It clearly leaves Mary Sue Terry in a position where no matter what she says, it's a lose-lose situation.
"I'm not sure Wilder took the stick away from Allen as much as he poked Mary Sue."
Lewis Sheckler is a retired Radford University music professor and regional coordinator for the Christian Coalition. Earlier this month, he asked the Radford School Board to adopt a resolution opposing outcome-based education.
"My opposition was based on the emphasis on teaching politically cleansed attitudes and values and de-emphasis on teaching academics. . . . I'm not ready to celebrate yet. I know George Allen had come out strongly in opposition. We've heard nothing from Terry. So there is the possibility that if she is elected, she would reinstate the effort to put it in." [The Terry campaign issued a statement Wednesday saying Wilder "did the prudent thing." Terry "feels that we need to be focusing on raising academic standards and less concerned about shaping attitudes."]
Betty Price is a teacher remediation therapist who works with students from Roanoke, Roanoke County, Bedford, Franklin and Botetourt counties. She has been vocally opposed to outcome-based education.
"I'm pleased that the governor is at least stopping things until everyone can take a look at what needs to be done to improve education in public schools. I was opposed to outcome-based education mainly because it was long on attitude, short on academics and had too much emphasis on multiculturalism."
John LeDoux is an engineering professor at Virginia Tech. , too, has been a vocal opponent of outcome-based education.
"I think Wilder heard the hoofbeats of the people throughout the state. Maybe he finally put his ear to the ground. My only question is whether this was a political move to defuse the whole issue during the campaign. . . . I had a hard time finding anything of real substance in the program. The more I look into it, the more I don't think it's going to cut the mustard."
by CNB