GOALS OF FAR-OFF EXPERTS AREN'T ATTAINABLE

Nearly a decade ago, then-President Bush and the nation's governors set a series of goals for America's schoolchildren in reading, math, graduation rates and other measures. But the national education goals panel says the nation's public schools will fall short of the goals for 2000.

We can only hope these continued failures to improve education will result in a overthrow of the so-called experts. These are the people, usually far removed from the classroom, who embrace quick fixes and fads in the face of each hand-wringing report.

Unfortunately, the fixes make the problems worse. What's needed is to return America's schools back to the basics and back to local teachers, administrators, school boards and parents. Without a foundation in the basics, the rest of education just won't take.

We must take so-called remedies out of the hands of the federal government. National mandates are meaningless for America's schools. The problem must be addressed one district and one school at a time.

Why not let classroom teachers -- instead of bureaucrats and politicians -- fashion a plan to improve learning in the classroom? Give more control to he local districts in building reading retention, math skills and graduation rates?

States should provide special incentives -- financial or otherwise -- to districts that can achieve above-average educational goals.

This national report found that Maine, Connecticut and North Dakota are the states that consistently do the best. Why? Perhaps other states should take a closer look at the models that work.

The report said some educational strides have been made in the last decade. But perhaps most disheartening is the fact that the percentage of 12th graders proficient in reading has fallen.

Students who can't read won't succeed. It's as simple as that. All the bells and whistles such as technological or specialty training are wasted on students who can't read.

In addition to the basics, local schools must have the power to calm classroom disruptions. Teachers can't teach without a proper classroom environment. The growing number of disruptive students must be removed to secondary settings -- alternative schools or other options -- to allow lessons to be taught.

The answer to fixing America's educational woes rests with individual school boards and passionate educators. The bureaucrats must reduce the red tape and mandates that are strangling our schools. Give those who know best the time, talent and incentives to finally fix public education.