SAD 48 adopts America 2000 program

NEWPORT — Directors of SAD 48 voted Tuesday night to accept the philosophy of President Bush’s America 2000 program. The board cautioned, however, that in accepting the philosophy it will investigate how the plan best fits the schools in the district.

Under the America 2000 and Maine 2000 plans, the president and Gov. John R. McKernan are asking local school districts to adopt a six-point plan of educational goals to be achieved by the year 2000.

The goals include:

Improved school readiness for all children entering school.

A 90 percent graduation rate.

Student achievement and citizenship with students leaving school with competency in five subject areas and prepared to constructively apply that knowledge to responsible and productive citizenship.

First in the world in science and math achievement.

Full adult literacy and life-long learning philosophy to responsibly compete in a global economy.

Safe, disciplined and drug-free schools.

Directors at first interpreted this as a focus on the Class of 2000, now in fourth grade, while other directors understood it as a focus on improving education. Peggy Gannon pointed out “a journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single stop.”