PRESS RELEASE

South Carolina
Office of the Governor
David M. Beasley - Governor

For Immediate Release:

 Contact: Gary Karr (803)734-9840
September 3, 1997
GOVERNOR PROMOTES SCHOOL STANDARDS

(Columbia) -- Governor David M. Beasley appeared before the state Board of Education today to promote his plan for clear, rigorous standards for South Carolina students in the most crucial subjects schools now teach.

 "What we have today is not acceptable," Governor Beasley said, referring to continuing reports of poor test results. "We have great points of light, but if we are going to continue to see South Carolina's quality of life improve, if we are going to see the capital investment growth in the direction we want for the 21st century ... we need to strengthen the entire school system so that every child is learning the best."

 The Governor's appearance today was believed to be the first time a South Carolina Governor has appeared before the state Board of Education.

 The Governor urged the board to approve the academic standards suggested by the Performance and Accountability Standards for Schools (PASS) Commission as soon as possible.

The commission, appointed by the Governor in January, delivered its report late last month. The report, building on more general standards currently in place for South Carolina schools, recommends grade-by-grade standards in the subjects of math, science and English. Standards for social studies are expected to be developed later.

 For example, the report recommends for high school juniors that they be able to "read and analyze relationships among American literature, history and culture." Under that standard, the students should be able to "contrast periods in American literature ... describe the major themes" and a whole list of other concepts.

 

#####

Notes: A copy of the report is available on the Governor's home page (www.state.sc.us/db), by clicking on the news release section.