OCR Text |
Show STRIKING THE MIDDLE GROUND ON THE EDUCATION DEBATE: THE OVERARCHING QUESTION OF WHAT is BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN Representative Jim Matheson islation which is already ahead of the national effort to test students regularly across subject areas. If bureaucracy is decreased, national mandates will not supplant or interfere with these local efforts. There will not be a national test or an indirect effort to create a national curriculum, and Utah schools will not lose dollars in federal attempts to mandate accountability for only seven percent of their funding. Utah educators will be able to continue their efforts to measure student progress over time, and parents will be provided with important information about their child's school. This will occur because these are state priorities currently being pursued. In addition, local schools will be able to count on funding because it will not pass through another layer of bureaucracy at the state level, whenever possible it will go directly to the districts and the schools. There will also be no undue strings attached to federal education dollars. Finally, local schools will also continue to provide public school choice, but will be able to recognize their own limitations due to over-crowded classes and schools. Federal mandates will not require these local entities to exceed their capacities. Instead, they will be able to operate in the manner they have already proven successful. 3* If the federal government addresses areas of nation^ al concern, Utah's schools will also benefit* An excellent example of this is an increased national focus on math and science education. A national commission has studied how to improve math and science education. A united, systemic attempt to address this nationally would benefit Utah's schools. Like much of the nation, Utah has a shortage of math and science educators. Fewer students are pursuing higher education in math and science fields, fewer professionals are entering math and science fields, and even fewer are becoming qualified teachers in these areas. And the situation is cyclical. A direct, comprehensive federal effort to address this national concern would also help Utah's students and businesses. Federal programs to repay educational loans for individuals with a math or science degree who become teachers in shortage areas are a good example of limited intrusion, but worthwhile results. 4* If the federal government is fiscally responsible, sus^ tained support for education in Utah will be possible* Long term planning, which includes debt reduction, protection of federal obligations such as Medicare and social security, and realistic spending forecasts, will enable federal support of education to be sustained. There will not be unexpected deficits, unbalanced budgets, and other federal financial crises which force dramatic cuts in discretionary spending. Instead, local educators will be able to plan on federal resources from year to year. There will not be a sudden need to cut the hours of Title I aides because federal funding is frozen or decreasing (such is occurring in Utah this year), instead there will be a comprehensive effort to provide sustained federal funding. When all the rhetoric of support for education is backed up with the reality of funding, Congress will no longer only talk about how education is valuable, but will demonstrate it by consistently funding its commitments to the nation's neediest students. Federal funding promises fulfilled will mean local funding priorities that can be made a reality - smaller class sizes, better textbooks, and quality teachers for every student. CONCLUSION Despite a seeming unity in the pursuit of quality education, there exist many different approaches to accomplishing such a goal. However, understanding what Utah's needs are and taking a common sense approach to federal policy defines the middle ground. This middle ground is a pragmatic and sensible look at practical solutions, rather than ideological platitudes. This middle ground approach is especially valuable because it is capable of providing what is best for Utah's children. 86 |