The commission proposes, among many things, that more stringent

The commission proposes, among many things, that more stringent standards be imposed for high school graduation. These would include requiring four years of English, three of math, three of science, three of social studies, more homework and a 20-30 day extension of the school year. It adds that these and other goals should be pursued with a minimum of federal intrusiveness.

Mr. Reagan liked that last part. In commenting on the report, he said, “Your call for an end to federal intrusion is consistent with our task of redefining the federal role in education...So we’ll continue to work in the months ahead for passage of tuition tax, credits, vouchers, educational savings accounts, voluntary school prayer and abolishing the Department of Education.”

No kidding. That’s what he said, and most of it would further undermine the public school systems.

In Virginia, Dr. S. John Davis, the superintendent of public instruction, hailed the report as reenforcing Gov. Chuck Robb’s concern about the quality of our public school system, and the Governor’s calls for renewed rigor in classroom performance.

Dr. Davis also believes that the federal government, rather than drawing back, should foot a part of the enormous bill which will be incurred if the local school systems are to be upgraded to acceptable standards.

It is unlikely, however, that Congress will get a ringing appeal from the president to take any action on the Commission’s report.

After all, the president is speaking to the voters, and the danger of a rising tide of Communism in Latin America is more easily explained than the danger of a rising tide of educational mediocrity in the county high schools.

This is especially true since increasing numbers of voters were swept to adulthood on the mediocrity tide...and Mr. Reagan knows it.