The Conant Compact

Two years ago, James B. Conant proposed that the states get together to end what he called "the politics of frustration," through which "a jumble of influential private and public bodies" somehow create the nation's educational policy. Last week more than 300 legislators, state Governors, public-school officials and university presidents gathered in the Grand Ballroom of Chicago's Sherman House for an organizational meeting sparked by Conant's proposal, which goes under the grand name of "the Compact for Education."

Basic aim of the Compact, which was assembled principally by North Carolina's ex-Governor Terry Sanford, is to bring together the people with practical power in state education so that they can benefit from one another's experiences, undertake studies for the mutual benefit of the states, and present a coordinated voice of the states in dialogue with the Federal Government. Sanford explains that the Compact will not make any binding decisions but will merely form "a starting base for action" by the states. "We must preserve diversity," he insists.

Taxes & Training. Compact's first director is Wendell H. Pierce, who will leave his post as superintendent of Cincinnati schools next January to take the $40,000 Denver-based job. He has already been authorized to organize seven studies on such topics as school taxes, preschool training, vocational education and junior colleges.

Although the precise function of the Compact is not yet clear, the Governors of 33 states have approved it, and its supporters are enthusiastic. One benefit, says Conant, is that "the politicians will be educated by the educators, and the educators will be educated by the politicians." Praising this venture in creative federalism, Congresswoman Edith Green sees the Compact as "an encouraging sign to offset the growing power in education of the U.S. Government."

Good & Evil. So far, the Compact's main critics have been spokesmen for large public universities, who feel it is weighted against higher education and may strengthen the public schools in the competition for state and federal funds. Francis lanni, former U.S. associate commissioner of education, contends that the Compact will be an unnecessary "middleman" just at a time when local school districts and the Federal Government are beginning to understand each other. But even the critics are willing to wait and see. Says Dr. Irvamae Applegate, president of the National Education Association: "There's potential for both good and evil--let's give it a chance."

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