STANDARDS AND CHARTERS - MANN,HORACE MEETS TINKER-BELL

The movement for education reform is currently moving on two distinct tracks. One emphasizes national policies, especially subject-area stan dards. The other focuses on local control and experimentation through restructuring and charters. This article examines some of the strength s and weaknesses of each strategy and their consistency with one anoth er: The suggestion here is that it is difficult to combine the contemp orary rhetoric of national aims with the culture of belief-often found in charter schools-that is crucial to local reform. A more realistic view of reform would be less concerned with competitiveness or elabora te standards and, within a looser structure that includes charter scho ols, more concerned with basic skills and habits.