UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 33, Page 15
May 26, 1994
Frank B. Murray attends White House ceremony

   Frank B. Murray, dean of the College of Education and H. Rodney
Sharp Professor of Educational Studies and Psychology at the
University, was invited by the White House to a May 16 commemoration
of President Bill Clinton's signing the Goals 2000: Educate America
Act into law on March 31.
   A few hundred educational leaders, U.S representatives, senators
and others who had influenced and supported the legislation met on the
south lawn of the White House.
   Murray is known for his leadership role in educational reform. He
was a charter member and serves as chairperson of the Holmes Group, a
consortium of 97 research universities concerned with improving
teacher education and the public schools. He also is past president of
the Project 30 Alliance, which has similar goals in reforming the arts
and science components of teacher education.
   In addition, Murray was appointed Delaware commissioner to the
Education Commission of the States and served on the teacher program
council of the Educational Testing Service.
   The May 16 program included talks by Hillary Clinton, Secretary of
Labor Robert Reich introduced by Tipper Gore, Secretary of Education
Richard Riley and Vice President Al Gore.
   A group of individuals representing the different goals of the
program also spoke briefly. The program concluded with remarks from
President Bill Clinton, who spoke of his past involvement in
educational reform and thanked the assembled group for their advice,
input and support for Goals 2000.
   The Goals 2000 bill establishes the development of national
performance educational standards for the nation's schools in core
areas, such as science, math, history, English, geography, foreign
languages and the arts. The bill also calls for improved teacher
training and instructional materials and encourages family, community
and business involvement in the schools. Another component of the bill
is that schools are held accountable for results they achieve.
   According to Murray, the Goals 2000 bill is a workable approach to
improving American education. Although the goals are not mandatory,
the bill encourages each state to develop its own high educational
standards within the Goals 2000 framework and with federal financial
support, Murray said. The legislation provides a forum for education
where successful methods of teaching and other educational activities
can be shared.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure