EDUCATORS SHOULD BRING IDEAS TO JEFFERSON CITY

Thousands of Missouri teachers hope Wednesday will become a "Day of Decision" for the Missouri Legislature. Teachers from every corner of the state will take their concerns over educational funding directly to the state capitol that day.

Educators certainly have the right to personally make their case for more dollars. But teachers should also be prepared to answer Gov. John Ashcroft's call for reform.

The reason is clear: Since 1982 funding for elementary and secondary education has more than doubled. But the additional dollars have not brought about substantial improvements in performance. In other words, more money alone has not guaranteed improved education opportunities for our children.

Gov. Ashcroft wants to tie increased funding to a number of reforms including: increasing the school year; providing report cards for schools to evaluate performance; allowing students and parents to choose their school; and basing promotion and graduation only on competence.

Quality education remains a top priority for Missouri. We need good ideas on how to improve the state's educational delivery system, and who better to generate these recommendations than the teachers themselves? In our war on illiteracy, we must depend on our innovators in the trenches to tell us what works and what doesn't. The teachers themselves are perhaps our greatest resource on improving the state's educational system. As teachers lobby for more dollars, they should be prepared to exchange ideas for improving educational quality.

Southeast Missouri schools will be well represented in Jefferson City Wednesday. Several schools, including Chaffee and Oak Ridge, will close their doors that day due to the large numbers of teachers wishing to attend. The show of numbers statewide should certainly make an impression on legislators.

Local teacher representatives are planning their Wednesday trip in a cooperative spirit. MSTA district president Doris Ford said teachers are not going to march or be militant. Instead, they are going with information and determination. It's a wise approach.

Strong feelings can trigger spirited dialogue. But the debate over educational funding must not degenerate into a game of showmanship or name-calling by either the governor or educators. That serves no one.

Educators have a legitimate concern, but so do legislators. The public is demanding more accountability in government especially in spending. And that accountability extends to education as well.

A number of proposals are already on the table, including a $494 million dollar increase for elementary, secondary and higher education. Perhaps more ideas will grow from Wednesday's demonstration.

Educators are hoping Wednesday will be a "Day of Decision" for legislators. We hope the day will provide an opportunity for candid discussion, earnest listening and a spirited exchange of ideas as well.