THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280623
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Two prominent education policy experts warned the state Board of Education Thursday to be cautious of offers of money from Uncle Sam to meet new national school standards.
The federal government's role in Goals 2000 is uncharted territory and reason enough to be wary, said Diane Ravitch, who was an assistant secretary of education under former President Bush. Ravitch counseled the board to wait and see what happens in states that already have applied for the federal funds.
Charmaine Yoest, deputy director of public policy for the Family Research Council, said her group worries that accepting the money would give the federal government control over state and local education standards and policy.
``We see red flags in an effort to federalize education,'' Yoest said.
Last month, a majority of board members said they were leaning toward buying into Goals 2000 after hearing from officials with the U.S. Department of Education. Those officials reassured board members that the federal government would not impose new rules or dictate to states how to reach the eight education goals.
But Ravitch warned that officials aren't always around to keep promises.
``People who make promises today won't be there tomorrow,'' Ravitch said. ``When I was in federal government, I did a lot of hawking and there were times I had to pinch myself and say, `I can't believe I'm doing this.'
``Where there's money, there are regulations.''
Federal officials have said the only requirement is that a state appoint a panel to develop a plan to meet the goals. But both Ravitch and Yoest warned that the federal legislation gives the panel significant power over state education policy, perhaps even usurping the board's authority.
Board members, however, did not appear swayed by the warnings. Member Alan L. Wurtzel said 80 percent of the federal money would go to help local school districts improve education.
``This is a source of money that otherwise would not be available,'' Wurtzel said.
``I don't see any reason to wait,'' said board President James P. Jones. The board could vote as early as next month on whether to adopt the goals, he said.
The goals are stated in broad terms, calling for such things as tougher academic standards, improved student performance in math and science, a higher graduation rate, increased parental involvement and safe schools. by CNB