Honig Convenes Session in Search of Better Schools

Calling for specific solutions to “very complicated” problems, California Supt. of Public Instruction Bill Honig on Tuesday convened a two-day conference to find ways of improving the state’s--and the nation’s--schools.

An outgrowth of the historic national “education summit” of 49 governors convened by President Bush last fall, California’s conference brought together more than 300 educators, business leaders and legislators.

Meeting in seven groups patterned after the broad areas of interest outlined by the governors, participants in the state conference are trying to decide what the next steps should be to improve California’s schools.

Their recommendations, due today at the end of the conference, will also be forwarded to the national Governors’ Task Force on Education, which will reconvene in February to set national goals and come up with ways of reaching them.

“The people who have been invited . . . represent those who are really making a difference in California education,” Honig said earlier in calling the state’s summit. “If this group can collectively decide on a common course of action, our chances of success in the continuing pursuit of quality education will be greatly enhanced.”

Honig asked conference participants to devise a “game plan” for building on the curriculum overhaul and other attempts to reform the state’s schools during the past eight years.

“What we did for the few doesn’t necessarily work for the many,” Honig said in urging participants to find ways to broaden programs that have been successful in local districts.

The areas under study are accountability and assessment of the effectiveness of the schools, curriculum, high school transitions to college or the workplace, adult literacy, help for students at risk of dropping out or failing, restructuring or reorganizing schools to improve their performance and teacher recruitment and preparation.

In talking about ways to salvage youngsters headed for failure, Honig predicted a growing emphasis on reaching such children early and comprehensively so that “everyone comes to school prepared.”

Noting that elements of that theme have already become a part of the California gubernatorial campaign, Honig said he sees a growing acknowledgement that “the schools can’t do it alone.” He said he expects more help for youngsters in such areas as health, nutrition and affordable day care.

As for better preparing students for life after high school, Honig called on business leaders to make known their requirements for hiring youths who do not go to college.

“There really is no reason now why a kid of average ability should work hard in school,” Honig said. He cited a survey showing that only 15% of prospective employers of high school graduates ask for student’s transcript of grades. “We need better feedback from the business community . . . as to their needs and expectations.”

Voicing some worry that the governors will not set national goals that are precise and measurable, California’s schools chief offered some suggestions of his own that he said “seem to enjoy widespread support.” His wish list, to be attained by the turn of the century, includes:

- Increasing the number of students who gon on to get bachelor’s degrees to 25% for the high school class of 2000.

- Doubling the number of minority students who go to four-year colleges.

- Cutting the dropout rate in half.