An ongoing program of the State Department of Education is developing standards and measuring methods for students achievement. Pilot studies for the new Graduation Rule have been underway for a couple of years. In the process phase, the experience of business people can be invaluable. Your experience in cost control and improving efficiencies can provide important leadership. The creativity you have had to apply in your job has a lot to offer in the job of administering schools.
Charter schools represent that kind of creativity, and the first one was opened in Minnesota.
Now they're popping up everywhere. We need the same kind of leadership in teacher certification, new funding systems and other administrative innovations. I hope that many of you will elect to participate in some way. Your local school system is a good place to start. Now I want to say a few words about the customer of the education process - the parents.