UC Backs High School English, Math Standards

Throwing its clout behind a comprehensive set of statewide high school graduation standards, the University of California Board of Regents on Thursday endorsed a plan that would reward students for what they learn, not how much time they sit in classrooms.

The proposed math and English standards, assembled by a consortium of the state’s top educators called the Education Round Table, spell out minimum subject matter that students ought to know in order to succeed in a globally competitive job market.

Although the standards fall short of UC admission requirements, they would move more students closer to being prepared for college. That, in turn, could help the university’s efforts to place more underprivileged and minority students on track for college.

“Anything that improves the quality of education in the state is good for the University of California,” said UC President Richard C. Atkinson, a member of the Round Table.

The regents’ endorsement has no formal role in the state’s effort to improve kindergarten through 12th-grade public education. But it was sought by state Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin to add momentum to the campaign to set statewide graduation requirements.

California now sets no standards for public schools, leaving each school district to devise its own. As a result, schools on average require students to achieve only eighth-grade-level work, with wide disparities among districts.

Some poor, inner-city and rural schools do not even offer the classes required for admission to the University of California, said UC Provost Judson King, the university’s chief academic officer.

The proposal calls for all high school students to master basic algebra and geometry as well as a variety of reading, writing and analytical skills. It does not address the issue of how to test for these skills.

The Round Table, which is made up of Atkinson, Eastin, California State University Chancellor Barry Munitz and other top educators, has submitted its proposal to the recently formed Commission for the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards. Set up by the Legislature last year, the commission must draft standards for every elementary and secondary grade by this fall. It also will develop a series of statewide tests to measure students’ performance along the way.

The commission has reviewed the Round Table’s standards along with half a dozen other proposals, said Ellen Moratti, its executive director.

Although she praised the Round Table’s ideas, she said the commission has discovered “better standards out there that are more rigorous, better-written and more measurable.”

The State Board of Education has until Jan. 1 to adopt or revise the commission’s plan.

But even then, the standards would only be voluntary “models” for school districts to adopt--an idea that Eastin calls “loopy.” She said she wants the Legislature to make standards mandatory.