Nixon's message aimed at learning
WASHINGTON (UPI)—President Nixon Tuesday proposed a five-point program aimed at leading to "genuine reform" of elementary and secondary education in America.
Nixon outlined his program in a lengthy message to Congress.
"When educators, school boards and government officials alike admit that we have a great deal to learn about the way we teach, we will begin to climb up the staircase toward genuine reform," Nixon said.
His basic points were:
- Creation of an early learning program, established jointly by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and the Office of Economic Opportunity, to set up a network of experimental centers "to discover what works best in early childhood education." The program will be tied into the large day care plan included by the administration as part of the Family Assistance Act.
- Legislation to renew for three years the federal charter for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
- Creation of a National Institute of Education—a new agency within HEW — which gradually would take over existing research programs in the Office of Education.
- Creation by executive order of a new Presidential Committee on School Finance to study and develop plans for aiding the fiscal and organizational needs of schools, with particular attention to non-public schools including Roman Catholic parochial schools.
He endorsed the "right to read" as a national goal for this decade, saying he would ask Congress to increase available funds to aid in alleviating a national reading problem among younger Americans.
Outlining his so-called early learning plan, Nixon said that in development of the mind, "child's play is serious business."
With establishment of an Office of Child Development in HEW, he said he was now directing that
HEW and the OEO "jointly to establish a network of experimental centers to discover what works best in early childhood education."
"An experimental program of this nature is necessary as we expand our child development programs," he said. "The early learning program will also provide us with a strong experimental base on which to build the new day care program, involving $386 million in its first full year of operation, which I have proposed as part of the family assistance plan.
The experimental units of the early learning program, working with the National Institute of Education, will study a number of provocative questions raised in recent years by educators and scientists:
"A study of language and number competence between lower and middle-class children shows a significant difference by the time a child is 4 years old, but the difference is said to become "awesome" by the time the child enters first grade. If this is so, what effect should it have on our approach to compensatory education in the early years?
"A study of poor children in Washington, D.C., conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, indicates a decline in I.Q.s of infants between the ages of 14 and 21 months—a decline that can be forestalled by skillful tutoring during their second year. If this is true, how should it affect our approach to the education of the very young?
"Many child development experts believe that the best opportunity for improving the education of infants under the age of three lies not in institutional centers but at home, and through working with their mothers. What might we do, therefore, to communicate to young women and mothers—especially to those in or near poverty—the latest information on effective child development techniques with specific suggestions about its application at home?"
Republicans caucus discuss pay increase
TOPEKA, (UPI) - House Republicans caucused Tuesday to discuss appropriation of $13.8 million for state employee pay increases.
The speaker of the house, Rep, Calvin A. Strowig, R-Abilene, said no agreement was reached in the closed-door meeting.
"Some members frankly prefer to see the report before they vote," he said.
The State Finance Council Feb. 23 recommended introduction of the money bill in the legislature to fund the pay increases expected to be recommended in a consultant's report due in late April or early May after the session ends.
The appropriation bill is based on estimates of how much money will probably be needed. The council's intention was to have the money ready when the report is made so the pay increases can go into effect July 1.
Strowng said he called the caucus to get the "feeling" of the members. He said a few suggested maybe a special session should be called after the report is made, but the Speaker said he didn't like that idea.
Strowg said the caucus put the highest priority on passage of the $26 million supplemental school aid program.
Students organize plans for White Student Union
A student who wishes to remain unknown, said the group was not anti-Negro, but wanted to make sure that the blacks, in the process of gaining their identity, did not become overly violent.
A White Student Union is now in the rudimentary stages of organization at KU.
The student also said the group wanted some disciplinary action to be taken against the students involved in the recent confiscara-
tion of $1200 worth of Kansans.
Mar.4 1970 KANSAN 21
The student said the group was interested in finding out why the Black Student Union (BSU) received $10,000 from the Student Senate. The student said the original sum allocated for the BSU was $600 and that it was essential that the reason the group received more be made public.
Monday was the tentative meeting date given for the White Student Union.
The group is reported to have 35 members at the moment and more are expected to be recruited by telephone, said the anonymous student.
SUA Classical films
IL POSTO
Italian director Ermanno Olmi
Tonight—Woodruff Auditorium
7:00 and 9:00 p.m. 75c
We want,you to decide for yourself the value of becoming a Speed-Reader, Evelyn Wood style.
For the first time we are offering a Special Speed-Reading Lesson to provide you with a glimpse of what it's like to be able to read and study almost as fast as you can turn pages . . . . and you'll actually participate in the techniques that will improve your reading and study speed on the spot!
You'll find this Special Free offer of increased reading speed to be an exciting and unusual experience.
Limited Seating Available at Each Lesson. Because of limited seating capacity, we ask that you please call the number listed below to Reserve Your Seat. Choose the time most convenient to your schedule and call now for Your Personal Reservation.
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RAISE YOUR READING RATE 50% -100% FREE A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WESTERN CIV STUDENTS
In order to help you prepare for the Western Civ Comprehensive May 9, we will raise your reading speed 50-100% , free.
Bring Russell's, "Science and Religion." Please be on time.
Wednesday (3:30 March 4
Friday (3:30)
March 6
(Right behind the school of Religion. Follow the signs)
Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics 1314 Oread