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US falls short on educational goals

WASHINGTON - States have made progress in improving their educational systems. But by 2000, the US will not meet goals set a decade ago for reading, math, graduation rates, and other measures, a national commission reported last week. The good news, the National Education Goals panel said, is that more US preschoolers are starting school in better health, more middle school students are reading better, and everyone is making strides in math.

In 1990, six national goals were adopted: All preschool children would start school in good health; 90 percent of high school students would graduate; students would perform well in tests of basic subjects; US students would lead the world in math and science achievement; schools would be safe and drug-free; and all adults would be literate. Goals for teacher training and parent involvement were added in 1994. The panel acknowledged that much work remains in all areas: The number of high school teachers with degrees in their main area of teaching, for example, has fallen to 63 percent from 66 percent. But, asked Education Secretary Richard Riley, "Are we moving in the right direction? Absolutely."

Film school on the Internet

LOS ANGELES - The Internet may soon hold new allure for budding filmmakers. Three film schools - UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, and the National Film and Television School of Great Britain - announced plans last week to jointly establish the Global Film School in cyberspace. Teri Bond Michael, a spokeswoman for UCLA, said the school, which may offer courses as early as next year, was created in part to serve the hundreds of applicants who are turned away each year from the three institutions.

Studying pays (especially in London)

LONDON - A London council desperate to improve its poor exam results has hit upon a compelling way to persuade teenagers to study - by paying them. Pupils in the borough of Islington will be paid 3.50 ($5.60) an hour to do extra school work Saturday mornings rather than taking a job.

Compiled from news wires by Liz Marlantes

(c) Copyright 1999. The Christian Science Publishing Society