THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610090612
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION '96
LENGTH: 498 lines
HOW DO YOU SEE THE EDUCATION PROBLEM?
MARK R. WARNER
What is the nature of the problem? What is the cause?.
Our schools aren't giving students the skills they need to compete in the new economy. Good teachers are forced to spend too much time on discipline and not enough time on teaching. Meanwhile, students without access to computers can't possibly learn what they will need to know in the workforce.
To what other things is it linked?.
First, it's linked to the income gap in this country. Kids without a good education can't get good jobs. I also believe that our failings in education contribute to the rise of juvenile crime. But I also believe schools can't do it alone.
How does it affect you personally?
As the only person in my family to graduate from college, I know the value of education. I couldn't have completed my education without the student loan program.
With new jobs requiring more and more technical skills, education has never been more important.
What actions should be considered?.
First, we should make schools safer by promoting school uniforms, alternative placements for chronically disruptive students and proven drug prevention programs. Second, we should put computers in classrooms and give teachers the training they need to use them. Third, we've got to ensure our youngest children enter school ready to learn by continuing toward the goal of fully funding Head Start. and finally, we've got to ensure students can afford college by saving the student loan program. The bottom line is that education should be given more of a priority in the United States Senate.
What's standing in the way of these actions?.
Misplaced priorities. Last year's Congress decided to give a big tax cut for people with high incomes and balance the budget at the same time, so they had no choice but to cut student loans, Safe and Drug Free Schools and school lunches. I believe we can balance the budget and protect our commitment to education if we don't try to cut taxes on wealthy Americans at the same time.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?.
Nothing that I can think of. Education is crucial to our future. Although education is a local responsibility and should remain under local control and authority, it's a national priority.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE EDUCATION PROBLEM?
What can a Senator do?.
Fully fund Head Start, give schools and libraries discounted access to the Internet, protect programs like DARE through the Safe and Drug Free Schools Act, put more emphasis on vocational training, support the student loan program and provide targeted tax relief for middle class families for college.
What can citizens do?.
Parents must take responsibility and teach kids right from wrong. They need to become more involved in their children's learning. We must turn off the television and open up books so our children learn to enjoy reading. Citizens can improve local efforts through the PTA and school boards. Localities control the direction of their schools, so increased involvement among all citizens would go a long way toward improving our schools.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
State and local governments can also make a stronger commitment to education. After all, they are primarily responsible for education. Businesses should be involved in education at all levels--making sure that kids are prepared for the workforce by helping put computers in every classroom and wiring them to the information superhighway. The model I helped develop for the Virginia Health Care Foundation could also be used to help businesses get involved in schools.
JOHN W. WARNER
HOW DO YOU SEE THE EDUCATION PROBLEM?
What is the nature of the problem? What is the cause?
Neighborhood schools should be safe havens for learning and personal development, not battle zones for juvenile delinquents. Parents unable or unwilling to nurture their children, the influence of misguided peers, the influence of negative and destructive media messages and the lack of adequate resources are primary causes of these problems.
To what other things is it linked?
Permissive, dysfunctional families make it very difficult for aspiring students to succeed. Local school authorities need the full participation of parents and the community in the child's education. If local schools have adopted policies which are not helpful to children, then parents and other taxpayers must work with local school officials to change these policies and practices.
How does it affect you personally?
The richest blessing in my life was to be raised by two strong, loving parents. This foundation prepared me to be "ready to learn." Now, I am a grandparent and naturally concerned about the school environment facing today's youth. Personally, I want my grandchildren to have the best education possible, and I am prepared to support them in any way I can. There is no substitute for quality education based on parental involvement, local decision making, adequate funding and rigorous academic standards.
What actions should be considered?
To improve the nation's schools, educators must have adequate resources, and they must maintain control as partners with parents at the local level. For example, I have supported a partnership between junior colleges and the Department of Defense to make surplus military training materials available called, "tools for schools." And I am working to loosen federal requirements of Goals 2000, so that Virginia can use some of these funds to put more computers in the state's classrooms. Local school administrators need reasonable disciplinary authority to protect the school environment: Teachers need training and professional development to keep abreast of new curriculum: and parents must play a strong role in the educational choices which are made for their children
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Mounting pressure on federal, state and local government budgets have forced educational funding to compete for scarce government resources.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
I am always receptive to the concerns of teachers, administrators and parents. If student performance does not improve, I am willing to try other approaches as long as they do not impose additional federal requirements and reduce local authority, accountability, or control.
What can a senator or representative do?
A senator can identify federal resources to assist state and local government to more effectively provide educational services. It is a senator's job to see that federal education programs are authorized and funded in a timely manner, particularly when there is a strong state interest such as we have in Virginia with the Impact Aid program.
What can citizens do?
Every Virginian should view themselves as a strong working partner in the quest for educational excellence. Local taxpayers expect to have good schools for their children. If the schools are not excellent, taxpayers should demand to know why, and what they can do to help make the schools better. Families with school age children must understand that they have a role in running their schools. There is no substitute for pro-active, grassroots involvement.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
It is the role and responsibility of state and local government to fund the lion's share of the nations's education budget. Private institutions should enter into partnerships with schools to strengthen academic services with endowments and projects. Every aspect of American society has a role to play in the education of our children. We all have a stake in our children being well-educated and should volunteer our time and talents.
JOHN F. TATE
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
Education is a local issue. Too many federal bureaucrats are paid too much to create too many programs trying to make New York solutions fit Virginia problems. Decisions about education ought to be made by parents, teachers, school boards and city councils. Too many of our education policies are determined by the Department of Education bureaucrats in Washington who have never met our children or set foot in our schools.
To what other things is it linked?
Reading, writing and math are being replaced by touchy-feely, fuzzy-headed Outcome Based Education programs. Six-year-olds are being charged with sexual harassment. If we want our children's test scores to start rising again, we have to get this nonsense out of our schools.
How does it affect you personally?
Because America's competitive position in the world marketplace is dependent on an educated work force, the quality of our education system affects everyone.
What actions should be considered?
This is basically the same question. We must get the federal government out of our schools, and return control to parents, teachers, school boards and city councils.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Several thousand liberal bureaucrats, a couple hundred liberal Congressmen and one liberal president.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
I cannot think of any possible reason to continue with the course we are on. Every year test scores go down. By allowing all this harmful federal meddling, we are failing our children. We must turn away from these policies and not look back.
What can a senator or representative do?
As a congressman, I will fight to keep the citizens of Virginia Beach and Norfolk in charge of their children's education. Congress has the power to end all this federal meddling, and I will work to do so.
What can citizens do?
As citizens and parents, it is our job to see to our children's education. Nobody is as concerned for our children's well being, or has as much of a stake in their future, as we do. We must vote for Congressmen who will return decision-making power to us.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
Education is first and foremost the province of parents, school boards and local government. We must cut the federal strings, freeing local government to fund local solutions to our local problems. There are many ways other institutions can get involved. As director of the Right to Work Telecommunications Center, I have hired many students through the Industrial Cooperative Work Training Program, which gives high school students valuable work experience.
OWEN B. PICKETT
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
The public school system, as an institution, is sound. I believe strongly in it. But it appears in many instances the program in public schools has been allowed to deteriorate. This is the result of the school administration's taking on chores other than reading, writing and arithmetic. It's OK to do other things as long as you do the fundamentals first.
To what other things is it linked?
In some cases, it's because of government. The school system is a political institution, supported by local and state governments primarily. Nationally, the government supplies only about 6 percent of the money spent on public education. Local governments have their hands on the system. This is where it should stay.
How does it affect you personally?
It affects everyone in society. We are turning people out of the public school system who don't have the proper job skills, are not prepared for higher education and are not ready to enter the work force. The worst part is the 25 percent of high school students who don't graduate. There is no question the lack of education and lack of marketable skills drives people to criminal activity.
What actions should be considered?
I'm not satisfied and happy with all the system does, but the fundamental structure is sound. It is set up to accommodate every person who is required to take advantage of it. We need to fine tune what we have. My approach is we don't devote enough time to mastering the fundamentals before we strike out in different directions that don't contribute to their knowledge of the fundamentals.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Nothing is standing in the way. There are no impediments that would keep communities from moving ahead, and some are moving ahead. We have good schools in Tidewater. They're not perfect, but they're good. All my children went to public school, and they went on to college and graduated. One of them was a Phi Beta Kappa at William and Mary.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
If someone said, `Here's a blank sheet of paper. Tear down the school system in Tidewater and rebuild it.' I'd say it's not necessary. The system is fundamentally working. It simply needs to be properly focused and directed so that from grades K through 12 we turn out people who are prepared to enter the job market or go on to something else, an apprenticeship, a college or a university.
What can a senator or representative do?
This is a part of what the Goals 2000 was intended to do - to raise the national consciousness by our public school systems, to define clearly what we are trying to achieve, to set goals and adopt policies to reach them.
What can citizens do?
They can support their local schools by participating in their local PTA or by being volunteers at the school. One way you can determine if the students in a school are doing well is find out what the level of parent participation is. If you have a high level, then you'll have a school where the students are learning and doing well.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
In Virginia, about half the money for basic education is provided by the state. I don't see it as a money issue. I see it as a matter of focusing on essentials. Keeping to the plan of education, avoiding unnecessary frills and expenses that don't contribute to the goal of preparing young people for the next step in their lives. There are many cultural institutions that can help. Some of them have programs that can encourage students to excel in writing or art.
ANTHONY J. ZEVGOLIS
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
To really understand the problem, you must first understand that education and schools are not the same thing. Much of what we consider education takes place outside the school in our homes and neighborhoods. The dumbing-down of our schools, lowering our educational standards, allowing someone to receive his high school diploma with just an eighth-grade reading level, in addition to the breakdown of the traditional American family are the real problems.
To what other things is it linked?
A nation that's lost its moral compass, a divorce rate that's nearly tripled since the 1950s, a third of our children living in single-parent households. One in 10 teenage girls gets pregnant every year, and that's a rate twice that of any other industrialized nation. Between 1960 and 1984, the federal tax burden for a two-parent family with four children increased 224 percent. The requirement now is that both parents have to work to support their families.
How does it affect you, personally?
As a business owner, it makes it more difficult to find qualified people to work in my business. The classic example where it affects me personally, I walked into a store, and the young lady looked about 18 years old. The bill was $1.12. I gave her $2. And while she was looking at the register to show her what change to give me, I said, `I've got 12 cents.' She looked at me totally confused and said, `I can't do that.' Instead of just giving me my dollar back, she gave me my 12 cents back, and then gave me 88 cents change.
What actions should be considered?
I believe that we should allow privatization of schools. I'm not for abolishing public schools. But I know that our current system is not working. We need to do something different. We have to allow for school vouchers and school choice, performance rating for school teachers and no more guaranteed tenure for school teachers. If we have school choice, the competition that's created, in my mind, would make all the schools better.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
The No. 1 thing is the U.S. Department of Education, the public school bureaucrats, teachers' unions and the career politicians who cater to those special-interest groups. I think it's interesting that 40-some percent of teachers put their own kids in private schools. One of the benefits of private schools is that they're not required to hire and give ironclad employment to shallow people who graduate from teachers colleges and education departments.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
I'm not opposed to public schools. If the public schools would do away with tenure and if they would incorporate a system to evaluate the teachers on a regular basis for their work performance. . . I really believe that we know the public school system is not working the way it is. When you know that something's not working, you have to implement some changes. If they do that, then I'm willing to work with them on it. And if my suggestions do not work, I'm willing to try something different.
What can a senator or representative do?
He can enact legislation for school choice and vouchers to give underprivileged children an equal opportunity to attend private school. Provide an immediate 15-percent tax credit. That would give the working families more money. Give tax credits that encourage mothers to stay at home. I support a GI bill, where the government can provide for low-income and middle-income kids, like we did for the GIs, a $1,000-per-year scholarship for college.
What can citizens do?
One of the first things I think citizens can do is shut off the TV. One quarter of all fourth-graders watch more than six hours of TV per day. If parents are going to allow them to watch TV at all, make sure what they're watching is quality, educational programs. Citizens need to get more involved in attending school meetings on all levels, and they should demand that these meetings take place to accommodate them. They also need to support their teachers. They need to insist that their children honor and respect their teachers.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
We need to support schools through direct involvement as partners, as resources and as boosters of education. We have a lead role in seeing that children are school-ready. Local and state governments have an obligation to provide a safe, drug-free environment for learning. Schools themselves need to use their imagination in creating mechanisms to involve parents more directly in school planning and operations and improving communications between school officials and parents.
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
We need to continue to fight for more money for public education during a time when many want to reduce funds and divert money to private schools. That will have the affect of further undermining the quality of public education. Money isn't the only problem we have in education, but funding cuts shouldn't be part of the solution. Education needs to be a higher priority. It's not a high enough one now.
To what other things is it linked?
Education is directly linked to crime, violence and welfare. Those who are well educated are much less likely to commit crimes and need social services. It's very much linked with employment. Communities with the highest levels of education are the communities most able to attract industry with good-paying jobs. Individuals are better off with a good education, and the community is much better off when its citizens are better educated.
How does it affect you personally?
Personally, I have a high school diploma, a college degree and a law school degree, and my education has opened up many opportunities that would not have been there for me without a good education. Also, it affects me by virtue of the fact that the better education the citizens have, the less likely I'll be a victim of crime or my taxes will have to be used for people who can't take care of themselves.
What actions should be considered?
We need Goals 2000. We need to continue funding that helps states and localities plan for the future. School-to-work transition funding needs to be available to help school districts plan for the transition from school to work. We need to make sure citizens have access to higher education by supporting colleges with loans and scholarships. And we need to improve the research on students who do not respond to traditional methods of teaching so they receive a good education.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
A short-sighted view that cutting funding for education will save money, when cutting back on education will only increase the chances we'll have to spend more money as a result of crime and welfare.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
The research is fairly clear at this point that investing in education not only helps individuals, but helps the community. Until someone convinces me otherwise, I would expect to continue to have education as a high priority.
What can a senator or representative do?
A congressman can support education as a high priority with particular focus on Goals 2000, school-to-work transition and improved access to college. There are many popular ideas like school vouchers that would divert money from the public school system that should be opposed.
What can citizens do?
They need to stand up for public education and insist that their elected representatives improve the local schools. Citizens should oppose initiatives that will divert money from the public school system.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
State and local government can use the funds we have as effectively as possible to educate our next generation. They should also take advantage of research that is available to ensure that children are getting the best education possible. Many businesses have adopted schools and they have been very effective in bringing in added resources and serve as role models. They give the students an opportunity to see some good that can come out of a decent education, like a job.
ELSIE GOODWYN HOLLAND
What's the nature of the problem?
Too little parental involvement and oversight in the home. Schools are working hard to help the children that are sent to us. The nature of the problem, as I see it, is that there are just not enough parents paying attention, not enough families taking charge of their own children.
To what other things is it linked?
Much of it is linked to the fact that parents don't have to get involved because they are led to believe that government can solve everything. They think that if their children are not achieving, someone should provide a tutor. We do all we can; we need more help from the community. The economy is driven by education. The lower the education level, the lower the productivity, and somehow or another we have to get our children to stay in school.
How does it affect you personally?
I am working in a school setting so, personally, it affects me. I see we have a lot of children being reared by single parents, and they need all the help and love we can give. We have to spend time with children who come in with all kinds of problems, and that leaves little time to teach the others. Sometimes we fail to accept our charge to teach the gifted ones because we, personally, don't want any child to suffer.
What actions should be considered?
Encourage parents to get more involved; encourage parents to take charge; encourage parents to get away from the idea that government can solve everything. Encourage them to become more independent, even in their thinking.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
We continue pushing this idea of how government is going to help. As long as the president and the Democrats come out with all of these solutions as they call them - this program and that program - then parents are going to continue to sit back because they believe the government will solve it. We've got to let parents go out and do something for themselves or they never will be willing to.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
Nothing could change the way I feel now. Someone would have to show me that any of these programs have made any difference. Show me some evidence.
What can a senator or representative do?
Encourage parents to act locally. Tell them to go to the state Parent-Teacher Association and the local Parent-Teacher Associations. Get parents involved with the school boards and city councils.
What can citizens do?
They can get involved with their schools, get in there at the local level and work in their communities. Citizens can take charge and demand changes that are necessary at the school. Changes don't come from the federal government.
What can state and local governments so? What can institutions other than governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
Local government has the primary responsibility for the schools. The state has some oversight responsibility, and the federal government has even less. Businesses could adopt a school.
NORMAN SISISKY
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
I think some of our schools are working just fine, but there are also a lot that are having problems. Not enough of our children are learning how to read and write, let alone mastering a basic education. And it's getting harder and harder for families to afford a college education. To some degree, our schools reflect the problems of society at large. Children with problems in school are often having problems outside of school.
To what other things is it linked?
Education really hasn't been given the attention it deserves. I believe strongly in balancing the budget, but obviously education has to be one of our highest priorities. The seven-year balanced budget plan that I supported did not cut education at all. I think it would be foolish to sacrifice our future by undermining education.
How does it affect you personally?
I'm past the age of having children in school, but I do have grandchildren in school. And like all parents and grandparents, I do want the best for them, not only because they're my grandchildren, but because they are the future of this country. I really can't imagine anyone wanting to neglect our investment in the future.
What actions should be considered?
We need to build on programs that work. For example, I've always been a strong supporter of Head Start, a proven program that ensures that children reach school ready to learn. I also think we should find ways to make it easier for parents to afford college for their children. An example of this is the Hope Scholarships, recently proposed by the president.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
I think a lot of the problem is partisan bickering, which makes everything more difficult. To make matters worse, some people give education short shrift when setting budget priorities.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace another?
I'm ready to endorse any approach that works. The only caveat is I think we must fund the programs we know work first.
What can a senator or representative do?
I've been a consistent supporter of education, and I've also opposed some of the more extremist proposals in this last Congress to slash education. Fortunately, most of these cuts didn't make their way into law.
What can citizens do?
I think parents have to be involved in their children's education. Teachers can only do so much. That means helping children with homework, preparing them for their day at school and, perhaps most important, creating the kind of supportive environment that gives children a sense of self worth. But parents also have to be involved in the important decisions that are made at the local school level.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions other than government do?
I think most decisions about the education budget and education policy are really made at the state and local levels. Local communities rightly have a lot to say about how their children are educated. Businesses can help by sponsoring and promoting local school activities, allowing leave time for parents to participate as volunteers in school activities and forming partnerships with schools for vocational training. MEMO: [The survey answers of John F. Tate are not included in the
electronic version of this story. Please see microfilm for complete
text.] ILLUSTRATION: Photos
MARK R. WARNER
JOHN W. WARNER
JOHN F. TATE
OWEN B. PICKETT
ELSIE GOODWYN HOLLAND
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
NORMAN SISISKY
ANTHONY J. ZEVGOLIS
KEYWORDS: EDUCATION ELECTION VIRGINIA U.S. SENATE
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