AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF DESE HEARINGS

I want to inform you of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education hearing held in Poplar Bluff Jan. 4. There were between 100 and 130 people in attendance, with the majority being educators or people in some way connected with the reform process. There were approximately 30 people offering testimony, with about an even split on those for and those against the proposed standards. All but one who testified for the standards were within the education system. All who testified against the standards were parents or grandparents, except two teachers who testified for our side. Those who testified against the standards were factual and knowledgeable, stating specific objections. Everyone who spoke against the standards spoke with passion and commitment.

My brother, president of the Stoddard County Farm Bureau, spoke against the standards also. He told me that after the meeting two superintendents and one of the National Education Association representatives cornered him, wanting to know why the Missouri Farm Bureau had changed its position on Senate Bill 380 (the Outstanding Schools Act). He told them facts are what changed the Farm Bureau's position.

Those who spoke for the standards by no means spoke with the forceful commitment that we did. That's because it's the lives and future of our children and grandchildren that Gov. Mel Carnahan, Commissioner of Education Bob Bartman and the State Board of Education want to experiment with.

Some of those who spoke for the standards were a part of the work groups that supposedly developed "whatever it is our kids are supposed to know." I pointed out to them in my address that their work didn't really mean anything, because the law of SB 380 says in Section 6:1: "The State Board of Education shall consider the work done by other states. ... Further, in establishing the assessment system, the state shall adopt the work that has been done by consortia of other states." (Don't take my word for this. Get a copy of SB 380 and read it for yourself.)

Now to all you teachers who worked your rear ends off, it would seem to me that your work has to line up with what the law says the State Board of Education has to do. After all, they wouldn't violate the law, would they? Think about it. You can develop all the curriculum you want to at the local level, but you still have to pass the high-stakes assessment system.

SB 380 says maximum flexibility shall be provided to the local district, but do you seriously believe the state is going to provide 500-plus assessment systems? I think not. You still are stuck in the old rut of teach the test to pass the test.

Some of those who offered support of the standards proudly identified themselves as members of the NEA, one as the local representative of the Missouri State Teachers Association, one as a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and two as being from Southeast Missouri State University. Pete Burns chaired the meeting. He and the DESE people were very cordial, even as I brought charges against certain members of the State Board of Education who clearly violated the spirit of fair play and the intent of the hearings.

These hearings were supposed to be true public input so that the state board could know the feelings of the people about standards. But the entire integrity of this hearing was undermined by a letter of solicitation by the Missouri Partnership for Outstanding Schools. On the letterhead appeared the names of three State Board of Education members: President Peter Herschend, Thomas Davis and Betty Preston, as well as Commissioner Bartman.

The letter reads in part: "Thank you for agreeing to attend the Jan. 4 hearings." Now if, in essence, those who are going to control the future of your school make a "request" of you, what are you going to do? The letter continues: "At this hearing, you will have an opportunity to voice your opinions, offer constructive criticism on the proposed standards and show support for the concept of education standards."

The letter even includes a page of coaching of what to saw and not to say. You see, folks, had it not been for their solicitations the Show Me Standards would have lost hands down. I placed myself beside the podium and saw that some of the people who testified for the standards were actually naive enough to have their letters with them. Several had their comments on a form that I suppose DESE provided them.

How sad that Governor Carnahan's crowning achievement is so poor and secretive that it can't be enacted aboveboard and in language that everyone can understand.

Ray Rowland is a Dexter resident.