ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 22, 1996 TAG: 9607220015
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KENNETH R. PLUM
YOUR JUNE 28 editorial, "In Roanoke today, the unspeakable," unfortunately reflects the craziness that is going on in public education at the state level in Virginia today. Goals 2000 is another example.
Why would Gov. George Allen refuse to take $6.5 million from Goals 2000 when Virginia's schools desperately need the money? After all, federal legislation made it clear that control of the schools stayed with state and local governments. Forty-nine states are utilizing the money, and 92 of 134 school boards in Virginia requested that the money be accepted.
My research turned up some interesting answers.
The right-wing fringe element that is controlling public-education policy in Virginia today is guided by an 832-page research manual, America 2000/Goals 2000 - Moving the Nation Educationally to a "New World Order,'' published by Citizens for Academic Excellence.
The manual opens with nine basic facts that it purports are proved in the book. These "facts" include:
"The restructure of America's educational system is, in reality, a restructure of the nation through the educational system. The proposed restructure program of the U.S. educational system closely resembles the international/global education program of the United Nations and is clearly socialistic in concept ... A close study of the restructure program reveals an interlock with a small, but dedicated, body of people (the Council on Foreign Relations) who have consistently worked to establish a single world government designed, it will ultimately result in the compromise of national sovereignty as the United States yields to the authority of the `New World Order.' The Goals 2000 - Educate America Act very closely resembles the Soviet Educational System of the 1970s."
Your editorial offered what you thought were definitions of certain terms forbidden in the Virginia Department of Education. You suggested that "outcome-based education" was a strategy to identify what graduates need to know in the next century.
According to the manual, however, and presumably to some of Virginia Board of Education members, outcome-based education is "the restructuring plan of the nation, aimed at the demolition of all traditional education ... The ultimate aim or goal is the development of the politically-correct attitude of all children regarding the environment, multicultural diversity - including acceptance of homosexuality as a lifestyle and the elimination of heterosexism, responsible sexuality - safe sex and birth control rather than self-control, the feminist agenda, and the elimination of nationalism and the acceptance of the New World Order."
Several months ago, the Virginia Board of Education refused to approve a continuation grant for federal Karl Perkins Act monies for vocational education. Right-wing members of the board insisted on certain changes to the application. When did vocational education and school-to-work transition programs become controversial? According to the manual and the fringe element, the eventual goal of these programs is an "occupational license" or "work card" that will be required of all workers, thus placing into being a national work force under a socialistic plan.
And the problem with preschool programs? They give government agencies a reason to monitor the family and the home.
You say tongue-in-cheek that your editorial was written "so that decent people may know what sort of depravity they're up against." I hope my letter to the editor will amplify the seriousness of the situation. Responsible Virginians must stand up to the extremists to whom Gov. Allen has entrusted educational policy.
Kenneth R. Plum of Reston represents the 36th District in the House of Delegates.
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