NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL
--ANNUAL REPORT
 
The idea for a set of National Education Goals originated out of the
Education Summit held in Charlottesville, Virginia in September 1989.
All fifty governors and President Bush took part in this historic
Summit.  Except for some minor changes, mainly for clarification and
emphasis, the Goals developed from this Summit have remained basically
the same.  The eight goals and objectives target the year 2000 as a
date when significant positive education and social changes will be
evident.  In addition to Goal 5 which has the objective of the U.S.
students being first in the world in math and science in the year
2000, other goals center on ready to learn, school completion, student
achievement and citizenship, teacher education and professional
development, adult literacy and lifelong learning, safe schools, and
parental participation.
 
The non-partisan National Education Goals Panel was established to
monitor education progress and report to the American public.  Ten
members of the Panel, including Governors Hunt (Chair, NC), Patton
(KY), Romer (CO), Thompson (WI), and Underwood (WV), Secretary of
Education Riley, U.S. Senators Jeffords (VT) and Bingaman (NM), and
state representatives, Coggs (WI), Cowell (PA), and Jones (ID)
participated in the discussions at this annual meeting on November 5
in Washington, DC to report the progress towards achieving the eight
goals.
 
There was a general consensus that improvements have taken place in
science and math and most states have established testing instruments.
 When questioned by the press, Roy Romer and the others seemed to
agree that the sticky question about a national evaluation could be
resolved by having the states work together with the Department of
Education to come up with a national evaluation.  Tommy Thompson
indicated the eight goals might not be attained by the year 2000, but
they have helped to create a focus and put education at the top of the
agenda for almost every state.  Although there are many concerns
listed in the annual report, the panelists indicated they strongly
believe we are moving forward.
 
For a free copy of the 1997 National Education Goals Report, or the
1997 Summary of Mathematics and Science Achievement for the 21st
Century, call 202-724-0015, or fax 202-632-0957.
 
Bob Kansky
Associate Executive Director for Programs
State Science & Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC)
11 Dupont Circle, Suite 250
Washington, DC  20036
TEL: 202-265-2334 or 202-387-3600
FAX: 202-387-4025
EMAIL: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]