And the president's proposal to spur the drive for higher standards and better performance is so circumscribed by budgetary limits and political caution that his contribution may fall short. Clinton has been seeking to improve schools and increase access to education throughout his public life. Along with his commitment to racial justice, the quest for better schools has been a hallmark of his career. He may have wavered on many other things, but never on these. But his reach exceeds his grasp.
Educators agree that standards are meaningless unless backed by rigorous tests.
The president understands that, too. Marc Tucker, who has headed an effort that has developed a set of tough standards for elementary, secondary and high schools and is encouraging their adoption by individual states and school districts, makes the obvious point when he says that two tests in two subjects fall far short of a systematic set of standards. There are two other problems. After that, it's up to the states. And because he is spooked by conservative rhetoric about federal intrusion, the one-time test will be purely voluntary.