National Education Goals Panel Studies Future Of Education Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) celebrated the tenth anniversary of the creation of the National Education Goals at a special conference in Washington. As part of this celebration, panel members and leading education authorities participated in discussions on the future of education and the role of education goals. The panel also recognized 12 states for outstanding progress toward the Goals.

“On this very significant anniversary, it is crucial that we reflect upon a decade of hard work and achievement,” said Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, chairman of the National Education Goals Panel. “But it is also important that the National Education Goals Panel looks forward to determine how to build upon the foundation of the last ten years and renew our efforts to reach the Goals.”

The day’s events began with a panel hearing and dialogue on the subject, “What will be the education issues in the next decade?” Included among the panelists were Hedrick Smith, Leo Estrada, Sandra Feldman, Hugh Price and Diane Ravitch. Panel members and guests then proceeded to a discussion of “How can the Goals and the Panel best add future value?” Joining Panel members at this discussion were Sharon Lynn Kagan, Richard Elmore, Denis Doyle and Robert Wehling.

The Goals Panel officially celebrated the tenth anniversary of the National Education Goals during a dinner hosted by Kentucky Governor Paul Patton. The dinner featured a video tribute to the National Education Goals and former chairs of the panel. The video also honored the hard work and dedication of Presidents Bush and Clinton, whose leadership helped sustain the longest period of systemic national education reform in American history.

After the screening of the video, former President Bush and President Clinton were recognized for their roles in helping create and sustain the National Education Goals. The members of the Goals Panel also acknowledged current member Tommy Thompson (R-Wisconsin), the only serving governor who was at the historic Charlottesville Education Summit where the idea of National Goals originated. The Goals Panel also presented awards to 12 states for their outstanding progress toward the Goals.

The 12 states that received awards during the tenth anniversary dinner celebration were Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Washington, Indiana, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

“I think it is key to the central role of the Goals Panel that we recognize and encourage states that are making progress toward the National Education Goals and learn from their examples,” said Gov Patton. “It is fitting that on the same night we honored the innovators and leaders of the national Goals movement that we recognized the hard work and achievement of so many people who helped in these 12 states.”

The Goals Panel reconvened for a press conference at the National Press Club. During the press conference, members issued an action statement based on discussions and data compiled by the Panel. This action statement informed the Panel’s recommendation for the future course of Goals reform in America. The Education Panel will also release its 1999 annual report on America’s and the states’ progress toward the National Education Goals.

Created in July 1990, the National Education Goals Panel is a bipartisan body of federal and state officials made up of eight governors, four members of Congress, four state legislators and two members appointed by the president.

The eight National Education Goals call for greater levels of student achievement and citizenship; high school completion; teacher education and professional development; parental participation in the schools; literacy and lifelong learning; and safe, disciplined, and alcohol- and drug-free schools. The Goals also call for all children to be ready to learn by the time they start school and for US students to be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement by the year 2000.