Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300098
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JON GLASS LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
The recommendations, presented to Allen on Tuesday by his Commission on Champion Schools, call for substantial changes in the delivery of education and already have attracted opposition. The governor acknowledged that getting some of the ideas approved by the General Assembly will be a tough challenge for his administration.
"To get them through the General Assembly, we're going to have to stick together," Allen told the commission, which has been meeting since May. "There are those who do like the status quo and don't want to change things. Change, though, is what is needed."
Three proposals that could prove most contentious would: allow the creation of alternative public schools called "charter" schools; require parental permission for children to be taught sex education, and elevate state academic standards from being mere guidelines into regulations.
Allen argued that the changes would improve education by raising academic expectations and accountability, increasing parental involvement and giving local school districts more flexibility to experiment.
Critics contend Allen is attempting to dismantle the state's public education system. State House majority leader, Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, did not mince words about his misgivings, saying he was "extremely suspicious" of the conservative governor's agenda.
"This is what I consider to be an assault on the education system," Cranwell said. "This seems to be purely and simply an effort to try to cater to certain special interest groups."
Even the governor's commission did not wholeheartedly endorse all of the recommendations. The panel was divided over details involving charter schools and also was split over family-life education, which is supported in its current format by the powerful Virginia Education Association.
"I am guided by a very conservative philosophy of `If it ain't broke, don't fix it,'" Cranwell said.
State Sen. Mark Earley, R-Chesapeake, a commission member, said he is "pretty optimistic" that most of the recommendations will make it through the legislature. He said the concept of charter schools, for example, has "pretty broad support" and that requiring parental permission for teaching sex education "makes such common sense."
Under the commission's charter school proposal, teachers, parents and other individuals or groups could receive "charters" to establish schools, and could experiment with curricula free of most local and state regulations. The schools would receive state funds but would be held accountable by promising to produce specific results.
Most of the concerns raised have focused on funding issues, ensuring equal access among students and the qualifications of teachers. Some commission members who voted against the proposal worried that many students would be denied entrance and that diverting funds to charter schools might harm regular public schools.
Allen said charter schools would inject competition into public education.
"I see absolutely nothing wrong with increasing competition for school choices," Allen said. "Competition is what made this country great."
Allen said that changing the state's academic "standards of learning" in core subjects such as math and social studies from guidelines into regulations would give them "teeth" and "a whole lot more meaning."
Local school districts that failed to meet the standards could lose state accreditation. It would not be intrusive for the state to do that, Allen said, but instead would establish accountability.
"Nobody is talking about the state taking over the schools," said state school Superintendent William Bosher.
On "something as personal" as sex education, Allen said, "I think parents and the community should be more involved."
The commission, appointed in May, will not issue a final report on recommendations until spring. But members met last week to approve proposals requiring legislative action so the governor would have them before the General Assembly session that begins in January.
WHAT NOW FOR CHAMPION SCHOOLS?
Some of the recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Champion Schools seek legislation that would:
Allow the creation of alternative public schools, called "charter" schools
Change the state's Standards of Learning in the core academic subjects of math, science, social studies and language arts from guidelines to regulations
Let local school districts decide whether to offer family life education, but require parental permission.
Give teachers and other school officials immunity from civil lawsuits if sued for disciplining students in "good faith."
Require criminal background checks on all new teachers and other new school employess
Provide "incentive" funds to increase educational opportunities for "at-risk" students from pre-kindergarten through third grade.
Allow local school districts to require students to wear uniforms.
- Landmark News Service
by CNB