Conference after summit after symposium on high school reform have been held already this year (see Checker's editorial, "The Blind Men and the High School" for a laundry list of potential reforms). This week, Achieve and the National Governors Association chime in. In preparation for a weekend "summit" on high schools, on Tuesday the groups previewed their "ambitious" 5-point action agenda. One main challenge, said Virginia governor (and NGA chairman) Mark Warner, is "consequences, and sticking to your guns about it, that is still very controversial. Our standards have not kept pace with the world or the global economy." The recommendations closely mirror the goals of No Child Left Behind. The New York Times's Greg Winter predicts that the plan will be a "bone of contention considering that states have widely complained that No Child Left Behind is already far too onerous." An NEA spokesman contends that many high schools are working well already. But Ohio Governor Bob Taft noted at Tuesday's news conference that universities and community colleges spend $2 billion annually to remediate freshmen ill-prepared for college, and Jay Greene's latest graduation rate study paints a stark picture. So, "working well" might be in the eye of the beholder.
"Summit action agenda identifies steps states can follow to raise graduation rates, close preparation gaps," National Governors Association, February 22, 2005
"Governors seek rise in high school standards," by Greg Winter, The New York Times, February 23, 2005 (registration required)
"Governors endorse high school overhaul," by Stephanie Banchero, Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2005
"Summit on schools sets high goals," by Jonathan Riskind, Columbus Dispatch, February 23, 2005 (registration required)