7. Look through the extract from an essay by Ch. Krauthammer published in the "Time" magazine and comment on the problems of American schools illustrated in the passage.

Charles Krauthammer

EDUCATION: DOING BAD AND FEELING GOOD

A standardized math test was given to l3-year olds in six countries last year. South Koreans did the best. Americans did the worst, coming in behind Spain, Britain, Ireland and Canada. Now the bad news. Besides being shown triangles and equations, the kids were shown the statement "I am good at mathematics". Koreans came last in this category. Only 23% answered yes. Americans were No.1, with an impressive 68% in agreement.

American students may not know their math, but they have evidently absorbed the lessons of the newly fashionable self-esteem curriculum wherein kids are taught to feel good about themselves. Of course, it is not just educators who are convinced that feeling good is the key to success. The Governor of Maryland recently announced the formation of a task force on self-esteem, "a 23-member panel created on the theory," explains the Baltimore Sun, "that drug abuse, teen pregnancy, failure in school and most other social ills can be reduced by making people feel good about themselves." Judging by the international math test, such task forces may be superfluous. U.S. kids already feel exceedingly good about doing bad.

8. Read the article from 'Education Week' and comment on the proposals of the new American administration aimed at improving standards in American public schools.

January 23, 2001.

BUSH UNVEILS EDUCATION PLAN

By Joetta L.Sack

Washington

In his first major policy initiative since moving into the White House, President Bush has unveiled a comprehensive education plan that would hold states accountable for student performance based on annual assessments, but would give schools more flexibility in meeting federal regulations.

His plan, which he calls "No Child Left Behind," also would provide private school vouchers to students in failing Title I schools --a proposal that is sure to meet with opposition from congressional Democrats. But Mr. Bush didn't dwell on that aspect of his agenda during a White House ceremony, instead, he emphasized his hope that both Democrats and Republicans could work together to improve the nation's schools.

"This is an important moment for my administration, because we spent so much time campaigning on education reform," the president said. "It's time to come together and get it done".

Many details of the plan are still fuzzy. Although the White House presented the initiative as a legislative proposal, no accompanying bills have been drafted, and it was unclear when that would occur. But the plan states that many of the components could be included in a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which Congress is expected to take up again this year. White House aides also could not provide a cost estimate for the initiative, but they added that more information would be included in the president's proposed fiscal 2002 budget.

Greater Accountability

Among the most significant features of the plan is a proposal to overhaul the Title I program for disadvantaged students by requiring states to develop systems of rewards and penalties to hold districts and schools accountable for academic progress. That progress would be gauged by annual tests, which would be designed by the state or school district and measure reading and mathematics achievement in grades 3 to 8.

Mr. Bush's plan also would set up a system for low-performing schools that failed to make adequate progress on the annual tests. First, the schools would receive federal money for technical help; after two years, underperforming schools would undergo corrective action. If a school failed to show adequate progress after three years, its students could use Title I funds to transfer to another public or private school, or to pay for supplemental education services, such as tutoring.

The plan does not promise significant new spending for education, but Mr. Bush vowed to usher in a new level of accountability and flexibility in the use of federal money. He also pledged to continue the federal role in education. "Change will not come by adding a few new federal programs ... and change will not come by disdaining or dismantling the federal role", Mr. Bush said.