Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
For 10th-graders is it ``All Quiet on the Western Front'' or ``A Tale of Two Cities''?
Disagreement over questions like those prompted the state Board of Education to nix, at least for now, the idea of listing specific book titles as the standards for measuring reading proficiency in public schools.
The board adopted revised standards of learning for English, math and science Thursday but delayed action on the controversial social studies standards until next week. The board also approved guidelines for religious expression in public schools.
The math and science standards were approved with little debate, but the board was evenly divided over how the English standards should measure reading proficiency. The proposed revisions listed specific titles as examples of books students should be able to read at each grade level.
``I think this list is downright disrespectful to teachers,'' said board member Peter Decker. He said local educators are best equipped to determine which books are appropriate for each grade.
Board members had voted on which books to list, and the completed ballots differed greatly.
Board member Michelle Easton urged the board to try to reach consensus on the titles to be listed. She said parents don't understand the complex Schall Reading Formula used to measure reading proficiency.
``My idea is to have something citizens and parents and taxpayers can understand,'' she said.
A motion to strike any reference to book titles from the standards failed on a 4-4 vote. William Bosher, the state superintendent of public instruction, suggested the board adopt the rest of the English standards and defer the book issue to a later date. The board agreed, and the revisions were passed unanimously.
Decker urged the board to go ahead and vote on the social studies standards, but several board members objected because they had just received the final draft and had not had time to read it.
The board agreed to consider the standards next Thursday, a day before the terms of board members Lewis Nelson and Malcolm McDonald expire. James Jones, the board president, said he wanted the board to move quickly because the new members to be appointed by Gov. George Allen would need some time to ``get up to speed.''
Some critics say the social studies standards emphasize fact memorization at the expense of analytical thinking. Others say some of the standards are inappropriate for the designated grade level and that the revisions have a conservative ideological slant.
The guidelines on religious expression were ordered by the General Assembly. They were approved with little discussion.
According to the guidelines, students and teachers may participate in religious activities - prayer, voluntary devotionals, or reading the Bible, for example - in their free time at school. Students cannot be prohibited from wearing symbols of their faith, and those chosen to speak at school functions cannot be barred from giving a religious message.
The guidelines caution that courts have disagreed on the constitutionality of student-initiated prayer at graduations. Legal decisions on the subject are summarized, and school officials are advised to consult their lawyers.
``The guidelines are intended to protect, preserve and respect First Amendment ideals that are fundamental in our democracy - free speech and religious expression as well as separation of church and state,'' Attorney General Jim Gilmore said after the guidelines were adopted.
Jones, the board president, said he believes the guidelines reduce the possibility of lawsuits being filed over religious activities in schools. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has expressed concerns about the guidelines.
by CNB