FARM BUREAU REJECTS STANADARDS IN SCHOOLS ACT

After hearing both sides of the issue, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation delegates reversed themselves and voted unanimously to oppose academic assessment standards outlined in Missouri's Outstanding Schools Act.

The Farm Bureau's opposition to the standards is included in the organization's overall resolution on education issues. The resolution was passed earlier this week during the annual Farm Bureau Convention at Lake of the Ozarks.

A presentation by state Sen. Peter Kinder, an outspoken opponent of the Outstanding Schools Act, swayed the Resolutions Committee into opposing the act, one voting member said.

"Farm Bureau had a tentative resolution to give support to the Show Me Standards," said the member, Ray Rowland of Dexter. "After Peter's presentation before the Resolutions Committee, I think a lot of people's minds were changed by the facts he presented."

The Outstanding Schools Act, passed in 1993 as Senate Bill 380, includes the establishment of statewide academic standards referred to as the Show-Me Standards.

Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, and state Commissioner of Education Dr. Robert Bartman each addressed the 40-member Resolutions Committee Sunday. Although it was not a direct debate, Kinder said it was the first time Bartman had shared the stage with an opponent of Missouri's education reforms.

Prior to Sunday, Bartman had spoken before the committee twice, Rowland said, both times without an opposing voice present. He had built heavy support for the Show Me Standards.

Kinder was pleased with the final resolution, which strongly opposes the Outstanding Schools Act. Bartman said he had not seen a copy of the resolution and could not comment on something he hadn't read.

While supportive of public education and student proficiency in the basics of reading, writing, mathematics, science and history, the resolution is critical of the policies set forth in SB-380:

"We do not believe it to be in the best interest of Missouri educators or Missouri students to implement an exit exam for high school graduation. We will not support any standards or assessment system to be used for punitive actions against local school districts, such as withholding of state school funds, consolidation of schools, or the removal of local school boards," the resolution states.

"We oppose Transformational Outcome Based Education as found in the 1993 Outstanding Schools Act."

The resolution goes on to oppose the philosophy and implementation of the act and calls for the repeal of the reform portion of the law.

Kinder said he focused his presentation on the loss of local control over schools which will occur under SB-380. Kinder claimed Bartman, who spoke second, did not refute any of his claims or any of the Deparment of Elementary and Secondary Education documents he provided but instead personally attacked him.

Bartman denied personally attacking Kinder but said he outlined the need for uniform educational standards statewide as a means to measure and promote academic excellence.

Rowland said Bartman's inability to refute Kinder's claims, supported by DESE documents, turned the tide against the commissioner. He also characterized Bartman's remarks as a personal attack on Kinder.

"I think it was what he didn't say," Rowland said. "When Sen. Kinder presented written documents, Commissioner Bartman had no rebuttal except for a personal attack on Sen. Kinder. A couple of people from the Resolutions Committee said the evidence presented was so overwhelming they could not see how anyone could refute it."

Kinder also discussed with the committee whether SB-380 is a plan for outcome based education. DESE once used the term but now claims the act is not OBE.

Bartman said it is true that DESE no longer refers to its plans as OBE, but it is because the term has been misused. It no longer describes the policies set forth in SB-380, he said, but is used negatively to brand ideas the law's opponents do not like. Bartman noted that nowhere in the legislation is the term outcome based education used.

"I'd call that a shell game with words," Kinder said of the switch in terminology.

Among the other items outlined in the Farm Bureau resolution:

-- A call for the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education.

-- A policy favoring admission of qualified Missouri students to tax-supported universities in the state over foreign students.

-- Opposition to lengthening the minimum school year.

-- Support of legislation to penalize teachers and other school employees who strike after signing contracts.

-- Direct election of members of the State Board of Education to promote accountability in the state's educational system. Members are currently appointed by the governor.

The Missouri Farm Bureau represents approximately 84,000 families. The three-day convention, which concluded Tuesday, was attended by 1,601 members.