"(Editor's Note: Charles Miller, the Houston businessman who once headed the University of Texas board of regents, put out an email last week to a list of contacts around the nation about the effort by the Obama administration and numerous governors to create a common core of national standards for schools. The Education Front received his comments, which we are posting today. The email provoked an exchange among some of the nation's leading education experts.)
Recent events have put a spotlight on a national debate and movement about setting curriculum standards for our K-12 public schools, that is, determining what it is we want our children to learn and who should decide that. Historically that has been a state function but recently there has been more than a lot of chatter about 'national curriculum standards'. An Obama administration challenge grant program---Race to The Top--- has elevated the issue and the Texas position has been especially noticeable and unique."
Recent events have put a spotlight on a national debate and movement about setting curriculum standards for our K-12 public schools, that is, determining what it is we want our children to learn and who should decide that. Historically that has been a state function but recently there has been more than a lot of chatter about 'national curriculum standards'. An Obama administration challenge grant program---Race to The Top--- has elevated the issue and the Texas position has been especially noticeable and unique."