Voters are making education a top political priority. But should reforms begin at the state or national level?

Since states and local school districts fund 93 percent of public education costs, many educators want officials at those levels to shoulder the greatest responsibility. Nearly all states have developed tough academic standards for students. But a survey of state standards from the American Federation of Teachers claims many states haven't done enough.

• Every state except Iowa has established academic standards for its public schools.

• But only 19 of the 49 have adopted what the AFT calls "clear and specific" standards.

• Only seven states now require that students meet the standards in order to be promoted to the next grade -- compared to just three in 1996.

• Twenty states provide remedial help to students who don't meet the standards -- up from 10 two years ago.

Twenty-four states require that students pass graduation exams before they are handed their high school diploma. And seven states are implementing plans to fail students who haven't mastered required skills.

As for efforts to ensure that teachers have the expertise to teach required material, the survey found "a mixed bag."

Source: Editorial, "Voters Want Schools Improved, But How -- And By Whom?" USA Today, November 6, 1998.