You may want to take 5 minutes to participate in a telephone survey on the
topic of national education standards.
 
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is inviting
participation in an  automated telephone survey regarding national standards.
National standards are a particulary hot topic given the remarks by President
Clinton in his inaugural address.  There is a great deal of public (and
Congressional) confusion about what is meant by national standards; some
members of Congress equate them with a national curriculum and have been
highly vocal in rejecting them.
 
Leaders of mathematics and science education can contribute to a rational
presentation of the idea of national standards by participating in the ASCD
survey.
 
Participation in the survey requires a touch-tone phone.  The survey has 9
multiple-choice items, each of which is presented clearly and distinctly and
is followed by three possible responses.  Then the responder is given the
opportunity to record a short message on the topic, this being an opportunity
to help put the NCTM and NRC standards in proper context.  The whole thing
takes 3-5 minutes.
 
The toll-free number for the survey is 1-888-933-2723.
 
Bob