Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 20, 1992 TAG: 9202200323
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SCHOOLS GET PASSING GRADES
Magnet schools have helped break down racial barriers in city schools, but at the expense of diverting attention from average students and those who are at risk of dropping out.That is how David Bowers and Howard Musser, who are vying for the Democratic nomination for mayor, view the 5-year-old magnet school experiment.
"It's been a public relations success," Bowers said.
"I think the magnet schools have done a fair job," Musser said. "I wouldn't rate it as excellent. I still don't find enough emphasis put on things to educate all children."
Since 1987, school Superintendent Frank Tota has obtained federal funding to transform elementary and secondary schools into "learning centers" with emphasis on areas like art, dance, aerospace and computers.
The idea was to attract white students into minority neighborhoods and black students into white neighborhoods and to discourage "white flight" into the suburbs.
Bowers and Musser, who both serve on City Council, say the magnet schools have done a reasonable job of achieving their goal of achieving less-segregated schools.
But both Democrats say the emphasis on magnet schools - along with airplanes for aeronautic students and mock space modules - has diverted attention from the nuts and bolts of preparing students for a job and helping them become productive citizens.
Bowers challenged schools to be creative in meeting the needs of average students as they do in developing magnet schools.
Musser said he would like to see more emphasis placed on vocational training.
"Not every child is college material. We've got to understand this and to make sure every child comes out of school capable of making a decent, legal living for themselves and their families.
"If we keep this up, you're going to end up paying plumbers, electricians and masons more than you're paying your doctor."
Bowers and Musser both stressed that the mayor and City Council have no direct control over how the school system is run. Council's role is limited to appropriating money and appointing members to the School Board.
"If I told the School Board what to do, they should tell me where to go," Bowers said.
But both Democrats said it would be appropriate for the mayor and council to make broad suggestions and leave the specific policies to Tota and the School Board.
Bowers said he would like to see more people appointed to the School Board who are willing to question Tota.
Keywords:
POLITICS