[NLA] NY's state court ruling

[Robert Pinhero]

Many of the arguments presented in the actual case were precisely about what
constitutes a "minimum education" . I guess it's all a matter of
perspective. To me fiscal equity ( this case is  the "Campaign For Fiscal
Equity, Inc., et al., Plaintiffs-Respondents,v The State of New York, et
al., Defendants-Appellants." ) is about putting a state's public schools on
an equal footing financially. If that happened, then we can more honestly
evaluate failing schools versus successful schools. In that light, I
definitely think issues of equity are the court's business.

Robert M. Pinhero, Social Entrepreneur
Education & Training Consultant
PO Box 684031
Austin, Texas 78768-4031
Voice: 512-236-1052
Fax: 512-478-8208

-----Original Message-----
From: nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org]On Behalf Of Debbie Yoho
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 10:20 AM
To: NLA LIST
Subject: [NLA] NY's state court ruling


I just finished reading the article Robert suggested.  It is fascinating
reading.   The story, however, is not about what should constitute a
"minimum education" in terms of content or purpose.  It is about whether
the courts should provide a remedy for failing schools.  This goes back to
the language in state constitutions, and examples from several states are
included in the article.

To me, what is "frightening" about the story is the evidence it offers that
there is no longer a concensus in this country about the purpose of
education and what the educational content of a state-supported system
should be. I believe this struggle is due to the continuing challenges of a
nation finally trying to come to grips with our diversity.  We of course
have the same issue in adult education, although in our case I wonder if
there ever was a "concensus" to begin with.

I return to a remark I made earlier:  Can we be all things to all people,
or is specialization in our field the answer?

Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL-Health  and
Executive Director
Greater Columbia Literacy Council
921 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC  29205
803-765-2555   Fax  803-779-8417   dwyoho at earthlink.net



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