THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300475
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Armed with new legislative proposals to overhaul Virginia's public schools, Gov. George F. Allen promised Tuesday to push for ``bold and creative'' education reform.
The recommendations, presented to Allen Tuesday by his Commission on Champion Schools, call for substantial changes in the delivery of education. The governor acknowledged that getting some of the proposals approved by the General Assembly will be a tough challenge for his administration.
``To get them through the General Assembly, we're going to have to stick together,'' Allen told the commission.
``There are those who do like the status quo and don't want to change things. Change, though, is what is needed . . . ''
Three proposals that could prove most contentious would: allow the creation of alternative public schools called ``charter'' schools; require parental permission for children to be taught sex education; and elevate state academic standards from mere guidelines to regulations.
Allen argued that the changes would improve education by raising academic expectations and accountability, increasing parental involvement and giving local school districts more flexibility to experiment.
Critics contend Allen is attempting to dismantle the state's public education system. State House majority leader, Del. C. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, did not mince words about his misgivings, saying he was ``extremely suspicious'' of the conservative governor's agenda.
``This is what I consider to be an assault on the education system,'' Cranwell said in a telephone interview. ``This seems to be purely and simply an effort to try to cater to certain special interest groups.''
Even the governor's commission did not wholeheartedly endorse all the recommendations. The panel divided over details involving charter schools and split over family-life education, which is supported in its current format by the Virginia Education Association.
``I am guided by a very conservative philosophy of `If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' '' Cranwell said.
State Sen. Mark Earley, R-Chesapeake, a commission member, said he is ``pretty optimistic'' that most of the recommendations would make it through the legislature. He said the concept of establishing charter schools, for example, has fairly broad support and requiring parental permission for teaching sex education ``makes such common sense.''
Under the commission's charter-school proposal, teachers, parents and other individuals or groups could receive ``charters'' to establish a school and would be free of most local and state regulations to experiment with curriculum. The schools would receive state funds and would be held accountable by promising to produce specific results.
Most of the concerns raised have focused on funding issues, equal access among students and the qualifications of teachers. Some commission members worried that many students would be denied entrance and that diverting funds to charter schools might harm regular public schools.
In endorsing the concept, Allen said charter schools would inject competition into public education.
Allen said that changing the state's academic standards in core subjects like math and social studies from guidelines to regulations would give them ``teeth'' and ``a whole lot more meaning.''
Local school districts that failed to meet the standards could lose state accreditation. It would not be intrusive for the state to do that, Allen said, but rather would establish accountability.
On ``something as personal'' as sex education, Allen said, ``I think parents and the community should be more involved.''
The commission, appointed in May, will not issue a final report on recommendations until spring. But members met last week to approve proposals requiring legislative action so the governor would have them before the General Assembly session begins in January.
``When we put forth specific ideas based on good facts, good common sense, good logic and rigorous academic standards and accountability, I think the people of Virginia, once they get to know it, will support it,'' Allen said. ``And once the people support it, I think members of the General Assembly, at least the majority of them, will, too.'' ILLUSTRATION: LAW PROPOSALS
Among the commission's recommendations are proposals for legislation
that would:
Allow creation of alternative public schools, called ``charter''
schools.
Change the state's Standards of Learning in the core academic
subjects of math, science, social studies and language arts from
guidelines to regulations.
Let local school districts decide whether to offer family life
education, but require parental permission.
Give teachers and other school officials immunity from civil
lawsuits if sued for disciplining students in ``good faith.''
Require criminal-background checks on all new teachers and other
new school employees
Provide ``incentive'' funds to increase educational opportunities
for ``at-risk'' students from pre-kindergarten through third grade.
Allow local school districts to require students to wear
uniforms.
by CNB