They are expected to complete their work this week. Since student test scores must be at least part of the teacher accountability program, Ms. Sparks has suggested teachers might try to lower the criteria that schools will use to decide if students meet state academic standards, to reflect better on their faculties. Ms. Sparks owes Delaware educators an apology. A panel dominated by educators is not problematic.
Teachers benefit when students are adequately prepared to progress.
Nor is the percentage of minority group members on the panel particularly problematic. After all, two of the state's top education professionals, Dr. Iris Metts, the former secretary of education, and Dr. Marsha T. Horton, former associate secretary for assessments, were black women. They guided this project through some of its most difficult days. Surely they looked out for the interests of minority group students. Besides, the state Department of Education plans to conduct hearings in each county to receive citizen comments about the panel's recommendations.