Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993 TAG: 9309300033
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WISE LENGTH: Medium
The board adopted a resolution offered by its chairman, James P. Jones of Abingdon, withdrawing the initiatives because of what it called public misunderstanding of them.
The vote came at the end of a daylong agenda and was taken without discussion.
"I think we need to look to the future," Jones said when his resolution was approved.
The board on May 27 had adopted the framework for a Common Core of Learning, establishing skills that students should achieve, as recommended by Superintendent of Public Instruction Joseph Spagnolo.
Jones said this was done "to allow the public an opportunity to comment on this particular approach to education reform."
Comment was quick in coming. The controversy has been a topic of public comment at practically every board meeting since May.
People expressed concerns that the planned reforms would "dumb down" educational basics, teach values contrary to those of many parents, and prove impossible for busy teachers to implement.
Its supporters said it would do none of those things, but some agreed that the massive proposal had never been presented to the public in understandable form.
On Sept. 15, Wilder issued his order that the board immediately withdraw the outcome-based initiatives because of public opposition and the expense that would be involved in carrying them out.
The board complied, although without a single mention of the governor or his order.
Jones said the board's intent in authorizing development of the program had been "to promote higher academic achievement for Virginia's children, in accord with the board's vision for World Class Education."
But, he concluded, "Widespread misunderstanding of the board's intent is best solved by withdrawing the Common Core of Learning."
In the resolution, the board reaffirmed "its commitment to improve the educational performance of Virginia's children and commits itself to increased public input in any school reform efforts."
It expressed appreciation to supporters of the effort, Department of Education staff members who worked on it, and even "those who made thoughtful criticisms of the Common Core of Learning. Further efforts in improving education will be helped by their input."
by CNB