This month, a state committee will begin designing new K-12 reading and English and math standards.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke announced last week the committee of parents, teachers and education experts would be put together to come up with new standards in reading and math as a replacement for the possible nullification of the Profile of Learning, the current curriculum standards.

The Profile of Learning, which took effect in 1998, calls for students to demonstrate what they know through a series of projects and have a number of credits in various courses in order to graduate.

"I was an early supporter of the Profile of Learning," said Joe Brown, Austin High School principal. Being a big fan of testing, because "students should show what they know," Brown said he was glad to see that they were going to get some statewide curriculum standards.

But over the years, it got "watered down" and the Legislature made it a local decision, leaving it up to local school districts to chose the number of standards.

"It lost its standardization," Brown said, explaining that some cities would choose to do only 11 standards, while others did 24.

Ellis Middle School Principal Candace Raskin said she is strong advocate for having some consistency in the standards and the idea and concept of the profile is correct. However, she said the profiles have been cumbersome.

"The time and energy put into the implementation procedures got in the way of its effectiveness. All the record-keeping and paper work has taken away from it," Raskin said. "It was admirable, but we are ready to move onto something more effective and efficient."

Austin Director of Educational Services Sheila Berger can attest to the merit and strong points of the profile. But she agrees that it may be time for a change.

"Unfortunately, it became so focused on the record-keeping that it lost the focus on the teaching and learning," Berger said.

Having a statewide, common set of standards for students is essential, Berger said. She is encouraged that the issue is being looked at, but she is concerned about the time line of planning.

"We have a lot of things going on … we will have about a month to implement the new guidelines," Berger said.

The new standards in math, reading and English designed by the state committee will have to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act.

They will then move to the Legislature for approval in March so they can be ready for the beginning of the school year in the fall of 2003.

"Its going to be different and challenging, but I am excited," Brown said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com