THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 30, 1995 TAG: 9501300126
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: REWRITING THE LESSON PLAN
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
It's time to change.
That was the message from nearly 140 people who returned the survey printed in the Jan. 5 newspaper after the publication of ``Rewriting the Lesson Plan,'' a four-day series on several education reform ideas floating around Virginia.
The 136 respondents seemed more willing than some state politicians to experiment.
The majority, for example, said the state should have laws allowing charter schools and allowing any school in Virginia to require students to wear uniforms. The majority also said there's a need for single-sex classes in public schools.
Respondents also reflected the national mood for change.
For the most part, they're disappointed with the effectiveness of public schools and they're eager to put schools on a better track for all - from the gifted to those who won't attend college. Seventy-five percent said standards aren't high enough in local schools; 71 percent said students don't have the basic skills they need when they graduate; and 71 percent said schools spend too little time on basic skills.
Numerous residents included letters with their surveys, explaining that public schools need more resources, support or restructuring - a longer school day or school year, for example.
Eighty-three percent of respondents were white; 7 percent, black; 2 percent, Hispanic; about 2 percent, other; and 6 percent didn't identify their race.
Highlights of the survey follow. Percentages do not total 100 because only those who answered ``yes'' or ``no'' are included below. The survey was not scientific; it reflected the views only of those people who completed and returned it.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
If you could help start a public school with some teachers, a public organization or a group of fellow citizens, and then play a role in deciding how the school would be run, would you do it?
Yes: 68 percent
No: 26 percent
Do your local public schools welcome your views as a parent or community member?
Yes: 54 percent
No: 26 percent
Should Virginia have a law allowing charter schools?
Yes: 63 percent
No: 28 percent
Do you think the creation of charter schools would push traditional public schools in the same district to aim higher?
Yes: 54 percent
No: 30 percent
SINGLE-SEX CLASSES
Do you think there's a need for single-sex classes in public schools?
Yes: 60 percent
No: 34 percent
Do you think single-sex classes would improve discipline in schools?
Yes: 60 percent
No: 32 percent
Do you think girls would benefit by having their own classes in math and science? (Of those who answered the question and identified their gender, women were more likely to be against it.)
Yes: 54 percent
No: 38 percent
Do you think single-sex classes for students in certain ethnic or racial groups, such as black males, is a good idea?
Yes: 25 percent
No: 58 percent
UNIFORMS
Would you want your child to wear a uniform to public school?
Yes: 75 percent
No: 19 percent
Do you think uniforms for public-school students would help decrease disciplinary problems?
Yes: 71 percent
No: 22 percent
Do you think uniforms for public-school students would help increase academic achievement?
Yes: 71 percent
No: 21 percent
Do you think the state should pass a law allowing any school in Virginia to require students to wear uniforms?
Yes: 67 percent
No: 29 percent MEMO: Data analysis by Vanee Vines
KEYWORDS: EDUCATION SURVEY by CNB