
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 29, 1994                   TAG: 9409290075
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

U.S. SCHOOLS PROGRESSING, BUT SLOWLY

The United States is making progress - albeit slow - toward improving its educational system and the health and safety of its school-age students, but direct action on the local level is needed to reduce dropout rates and drug use, said a federal report released Wednesday.

The National Education Goals Panel, which was convened in 1989 to assess the quality of education in America, cites several areas of improvement over the five years: Incidents involving violence and abuse of alcohol in schools have declined, while mathematics achievement and student health have improved.

But the panel warns that drug abuse in schools is on the rise, and little improvement has been noted in other key indicators.

``We're closer to meeting our national education goals,'' said Maine Gov. John McKernan, outgoing chairman of the panel, ``but it will take concerted action on the part of the public and policy makers if we are to meet the goals we've established.''

A look at alcohol and drug abuse among students shows mixed results. While incidents of extreme alcohol consumption among public school students have dropped, student drug use remains a significant problem.

Areas such as preschool participation and high school completion did not significantly change. Department of Education statistics show 86 percent of high school students nationwide received a diploma or alternative credential in 1993, compared to 87 percent in 1992.

The panel announced the figures at a news conference Wednesday, as Education Secretary Richard Riley urged parents, educators and public officials to play a part in improving education.

by CNB