Education system needs overhaul, panel says

Wednesday, January 20, 1999

Education system needs overhaul, panel says

SCHOOLS: Gov. Gray Davis plans to introduce new programs,
university policies to improve future for California’s children

By Karla Y. Pleitez

Daily Bruin Contributor

On Tuesday, Gov. Gray Davis joined the California Legislature
for an emergency meeting to discuss a new plan for education
reform.

While the governor is trying to write an education proposal to
better California’s school system, some Los Angeles K-12 teachers
do not support him.

"Many politicians have never even visited our schools and they
think they have the best answers on how to better educate our
youth," said Mary Smith, a counselor at Birmingham high school in
Reseda.

However, the governor is determined to improve California
schools.

"The time has come to restore California schools to greatness,"
said Gov. Davis in his inaugural speech.

"The voters demand it. Our future depends on it. And I am
determined to make it happen," he said.

Some of Davis’ plans include guaranteed UC eligibility to
students who graduate in the top 4 percent of their class. He also
wants to create more "middle college high schools" – schools that
provide for high-ability, at-risk youth.

Davis also plans to expand classroom libraries and initiate a
program that will require all high school students to pass subject
exams to graduate.

Despite Davis’s enthusiasm, some teachers are skeptical of some
of his plans.

"It seems that we are constantly trying out new ways to better
our schools," said Lauren Valez, a second grade teacher at Langdon
Elementary. "It is a scary thought to think of what may be
happening to our kids when we are constantly experimenting with
their education."

"We need to carefully analyze the consequences that may occur
with new plans and after careful analysis we need to choose one
plan and stick to it," she said.

Some teachers say that while Davis’ proposals for education
reform sound good, some of his plans would be impossible to
uphold.

Jose Mata, a teacher at Monroe high school, sees problems in one
of the governor’s plans.

"Davis’ idea for institutes to train teachers in reading
instruction would be chaos for teachers who are in year-round
schedules," Mata said, referring to the problems with scheduling
teacher training when school is in session.

However, Davis said that the solution lies in accountability –
that is holding the teachers or schools responsible for the
performance of students in statewide tests.

"There are some deficient teachers and principals out there.
Under my administration they will get better – or they will be
encouraged to find another line of work," Davis said.

Still, some administrators argue that certain schools have more
difficult circumstances to face, and hence the governor’s plan is
harder to implement.

"Davis’ plan to initiate a program that will intervene in
low-performing schools is a good idea in theory, but certain
schools should not be held accountable for not having the
sufficient funds to appropriately accommodate students who come
from illiterate homes," said Elizabeth Flores, a Southgate high
school teacher.

Davis’ reform plan sprung from the recommendations of a
13-member panel he had selected to write up a proposal for public
school reform. The panel included two teacher union presidents,
entrepreneurs, businessmen, teachers and principles.

"The panel selection was based on the knowledge and involvement
the individuals have had with California public schools," said
Linda Chow, a press representative for the governor.

Many Los Angeles teachers say that Davis should consider other
options, such as mandatory kindergarten, summer school for
faltering students and a plan that engages parents in their
children’s schoolwork.

"Davis should look at the real problems. He needs to get the
parents involved," said Carlos Guzman, a bilingual counselor for
Sepulveda middle school.

"Teachers, as good as they may be, cannot always be there for
their students. Getting the parents involved in education reform is
definitely a step in the right direction to bettering California
public schools," Guzman said.

The Davis administration acknowledges these arguments, but said
that there aren’t sufficient funds to undertake all the reforms
they would like to. They also said they believe that the Davis
proposal for school reform represents the best hope for improving
California schools.

"The governor wants to improve our public school system to what
it once was," said Chow.

"He is taking us into an era of higher expectations by providing
the future leaders with the best education offered in the nation,"
she said.NICOLE MILLER

Governor Gray Davis’ education platform calls for several new
reforms, including a plan for the UC system to automatically admit
the top 4 percent of students from each high school.

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