Sept. 3, 1998
Contact: James Cooper
(804) 924-0860


Reporters: A schedule of speakers is attached.

EDUCATION SPEAKERS SERIES AT U.VA. STARTS
WITH HISTORY OF AMERICAN SCHOOLING

	The public is invited to a series of talks addressing a variety
of topics in kindergarten through-grade-12 instruction during the 1998
Curry Forum on Educational Issues at the University of Virginia this
fall.
	The talks will begin on Sept. 9 when noted scholar Jennings
Wagoner describes the history of schooling in the United States.  A
professor in U.Va.'s Curry School of Education, Wagoner will focus much
of his talk on the evolution of public schools.  A subsequent session
will examine private schooling in the U.S.
	All talks in the Curry Forum will be held on Wednesdays at 1
p.m. in Room 004C on the ground floor of Ruffner Hall. The talks, part
of a graduate-level course, are free and open to the public.
	Started five years ago by Curry School faculty, the course
focuses on key issues in education.  Organized around the theme, "Policy
Issues Affecting Schooling in the United States," sessions will address
diverse forces pertaining to students.  Among such topics are the Core
Knowledge Curriculum, Virginia Standards of Learning, school funding and
charter schools.	
	For more information, call James Cooper at (804) 924-0860 or
access the course Web site at
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/forum
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 Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804)
924-7550.