THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504060365
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Widespread public criticism of proposed academic standards for Virginia's schoolchildren has convinced the state Board of Education that changes are needed before the standards are adopted.
Board President James P. Jones reassured a gathering of state legislators Wednesday that the board would ``produce standards for which there is broad support.''
``Education issues today are contentious, and certainly the development of academic standards is no exception,'' Jones said, addressing lawmakers who sit on House and Senate education committees.
Jones said the importance of statewide education standards transcends politics or ideology, a reference to charges that appointees of Gov. George Allen had shaped standards that reflected a narrow, conservative view of history and government.
``The development of minimum academic standards is the key to improving education in the Commonwealth,'' Jones said.
The board has final say over what the standards will be. They outline what children should know at each grade level in social studies, math, science and language arts.
The state Department of Education selected four school districts, including Virginia Beach and Newport News, to help update the standards, which were put into place in 1981 and last revised in 1988.
Controversy has focused on the role played by the governor's Champion Schools Commission. Members of the commission reviewed drafts of the school districts' work and substantially rewrote the social studies and language arts standards. Allen administration officials say that commission members consulted with the school divisions while making revisions.
At statewide public hearings that began last week, critics have charged that the proposed standards hold elementary pupils to unrealistic expectations and emphasize rote memorization over critical thinking.
Legislators added their voices to the debate Wednesday, requesting that the state board hold at least one more public hearing to allow legislators to participate. Del. James H. Dillard II, R-Fairfax, asked for a second series of hearings after the board makes its changes.
``It seems to me that these are of such magnitude that if they are, quote, `shoved down somebody's throat,' it will jeopardize the whole process,'' Dillard said.
Dillard, a former high school government teacher, called the proposed social studies standards ``bankrupt.'' He said the Champion Schools Commission made dramatic changes, ``like night and day,'' compared to the draft originally submitted by the Newport News division.
Malcolm S. McDonald, an education board member, said the nine-member board has problems with some of the proposals.
``I think the board comes down with both the parents and the teachers' groups - we do need major changes in the English and the social studies standards,'' McDonald said.
Jones said that May probably would be the earliest the board acts. He also raised the possibility the standards would be phased in, perhaps over two years or more.
Robley S. Jones, president of the Virginia Education Association and a critic of the proposed standards, said he was encouraged to hear that changes are in the works.
``I think the board is starting to listen,'' Jones said.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION by CNB