THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120343
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
When one asks why such high cost and low performance in the education of Suffolk youths, the stock answer is mandates from the state and federal governments.
Yet the school superintendent wants the School Board to ask Gov. George Allen to reconsider and adopt HR1804, ``Goals 2000: Educate America Act.''
Is the superintendent willing to sell the soul of the public school system for federal dollars and all the controls and strings that are attached? Does the superintendent want federalization of the school system? Is the superintendent aware of the bureaucracy that will be required at the federal, state and local level to support Goals 2000?
Before the School Board even considers federalizing the school system, they should read and study HR1804. Follow this with PL 103-239 (School-To-Work Opportunities Act of 1994) that comes with Goals 2000. Then, for good measure, throw in HR1617 from the Labor/ Education Department - It comes along with Goals 2000 - and you have lost control of the public school system to federal bureaucrats.
Read and study these bills and the requirements to submit to the Department of Education plans for ``Model curricula in the schools to integrate work-based and academic learning, use of skills certificates consistent with a system to be developed by the National Skills Standards, coordination of these programs at the local level, etc.'' Further, from Section 6102 of PL 103-239, ``to establish a national framework within which all states can create statewide School-To-Work Opportunities systems that are integrated with the systems developed under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and the National Skill Standards Act of 1994.''
How can anyone argue that federal control does not follow federal dollars? The School Board should say a loud and clear ``no'' to Goals 2000 and ``no'' to federalization of our public school system. Management of our educational system cannot have their cake and eat it at the same time.
Talmadge C. Jones
Harbor Road
Suffolk To PETA: Don't force your ways on others
In response to PETA, Daily Break, March 20:
Is PETA underestimating the intelligence of the people in Virginia about their eating habits? If PETA doesn't want to eat meat or dairy products, that is its business, but don't try to force it on to the rest of the people.
PETA says it has a dog that is vegetarian. If that is all he gets to eat, he'll either eat it or starve. I'll bet the dog wouldn't turn down a beef or pork bone if offered to him.
Natural fur is a renewable resource. Fake fur requires oil, which is not renewable. The circus animals are probably better cared for than a lot of children in the world today. Think about this!
Bob Keohane
Tomlin Hill Drive
Zuni by CNB