CARNAHAN PLAN RESTS ON FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS

There are two problems with the $50 billion education plan U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan came to Jackson, Mo., last week to promote.

First, her plan -- actually, the idea was formulated during her late husband's Senate campaign -- accepts the notion that smaller class sizes produce better education results.

Second, the plan accepts the notion that the largest classes are in schools with high numbers of low-income students.

Both ideas have their strong advocates, but supporters tend to be teacher organizations who are interested in less work for more pay. Whether or not smaller classes are necessary to produce good results is certainly not borne out by thousands of examples nationwide.

Carnahan is new at her job, which might account for the fact she seems unclear on such basic information as not everyone who qualifies for free and reduced-price lunches is required to take federal handouts. Perhaps she should take some time to get more informed about real education needs as well.