THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412090004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The same day Virginians learned that the state budget will be short about $350 million and a coalition of Virginia's poorest school systems vowed to keep fighting for funds to reduce disparities, the state Board of Education delayed applying for more than $14 million in exchange for adopting national education-reform goals.
Ken Stroupe, spokesman for Gov. George Allen - who is reluctant to accept the money and who has final say over Virginia's participation - said Virginia doesn't want ``trendy theories being advocated by federal bureaucrats and education experts'' but reform that has Virginians' support.
Mr. Stroupe didn't stipulate just what ``trendy'' elements of the federal Goals 2000 so repulse the administration. Goals of Allen's own Governor's Commission on Champion Schools overlap some of the eight national goals, including tougher academic standards and increased parental involvement.
Surely the administration would not dismiss as ``trendy'' Goals 2000's aims of safe, drug-free schools; of having 90 percent of students graduate from high school; or of ongoing teacher training. Surely toughening academic standards or having all children enter school ready to learn aren't just ``trendy'' notions.
If Governor Allen, the Board of Education and opponents of this ``federal intrusion'' can't accept assurance that Goals 2000 money is for locally designed innovation and that even existing federal regulations could be waived, they must offer alternatives to pay for the educational reform that they say - correctly - is so badly needed. Bypassing this kind of money because of fear predicated on past experience should demand far more explanation from Virginians than acceptance on faith.
The delay revolves around whether to take federal money for education or anything else. But we're really talking about ``our'' money, not the federal government's; if it doesn't come to Virginia, it will go elsewhere.
The state has until June to apply, and the board will vote in March. While most Board of Education members indicated earlier that they favor adopting Goals 2000, they voted 5-3 for the delay.
The $350 million shortfall, which practically assures further cuts in state agency spending and the government work force, comes largely from increased prison spending and a long-overdue tax settlement for federal retirees. Perhaps the shortfall will help the governor find federal funds for educational innovation more palatable.
None of us wants federal bureaucrats telling local schools what to do, but Virginia can't afford not to be innovative in education. If Virginia can't provide the money, it shouldn't be one of few states nationwide to deny its schools the dollars tied to Goals 2000. by CNB