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CAPITAL COMMENTS , By Acsombly Minority Loodor Jomoft R. Hurley ! *+*++++++++*++++++++»++++++++++++++++++■++++*•+++++

The latest results from the state's minimum basic skills test can onW be viewed as deeply oisappointing, not only because of the continuing and troubling decline in the sccrps but because the learning gap between suburban and urban schools remains as wide as .ever. The Commissioner of Education termed the results "extremely discouraging" while the president of the State Board of Education called them "shocking. " The only bright spot in the test scores Was found in the elementary schools where slight- increases were recorded in both reading anti mathematics levels in the third grade. These were, however, offset and overshadowed by declines in all other areas, including sharp drops of five per cent in both reading and math scores in the 11th grade, as well as declines in reading scores in both the sixth and ninth grades. For the second consecutive year, scores in sixth grade mathematics were the jowest r^pordcd in any test. The results revealed an incredibly sharp disparity—in some cases as much as 50 percent—between suburban and urban schools, a trend which has remained virtually unchanged since 1972 when uniform < testing began. It is, of course, somewhat perilous to draw rigid, fixed conclusions from the statistical data, but one assumption can reasonably be made—the need for intensified and expanded programs of remedial education. It is, sadly, a fact that students are amoving through the public school system from one grade to the next with less than the total knowledge required, The end result is that a great many youngsters graduate from high school ill-prepared for either higher education or for entrance into a labor market which is placing increased emphasis on educational level. The network of New Jersey state colleges, for

instance, has found it necessary to institute expanded remedial programs for entering freshmen to instill in them the knowledge ij basic skills which they properly should have received in secondary schools. The test scores may have an effect, also, on legislation currently pending in the Assembly to implement a standardized test for high school students to qualify for a diploma. Given the low test scores of the 11th grade students in the most recent results, it could be argued that a great many of them Would be denied a diploma because they would be unable to pass the test without immediate and substantial remedial aid. Supporters of the diploma standards legislation contend that many of the diplomas which are awarded are essentially meaningless because the recipient has an inadequate background in the basic skills, a deficiency which will surely have an adverse effect later. These latest scores should be a, cause for concern by the 'Legislature and the Administration as well, since we are now into the fourth year of operation of the “thorough and efficient” education law, Ji year in which more than S3 billion will be spent at all levels of government for the support of public education. If nothing else, our concern should take the form of an official request that the Commissioner of Education adhere to the statutory mandate to submit a report on the operation of the education law to the Legislature by 1980. A similar mandate calls for the State Board of Education to submit its assessment of the law to the Legislature by September of this year. There is legislation currently pending in the Legislature to delay the Commissioner's repon until 1982 and the StaU Board report until December of this year, proposals which, in my judgment, are desinged to avoid facing'up to a clear

The Herald And TheLantern

Letters To The Editor

Applaud'Harbor Lifeguards

Dear Editor: I feel that the lifeguards of Stone Harbor are to be commended for the outstanding Job they do. Watching them watching others is a rewarding experience! , They are always alert on ^he job and I am sure their safety records speaks for itself. However, beyond that they are most cour-

teous. Walking on the beach I have seen them m retrieve a beach umbrella which had blown over - close it and return it to the owner. TTieir efforts do not go unnoticed by the summer people. Sincerely Mrs. John Mchtenanin Stone Harbor and Philadelphia

Squirreling Away Gas Is Nuts

Dear Editor: The Independent Insurance Agents of Cape May County''arc very concerned about the shortage of gasoline and possible personal injury and property damage as a result. Faced with unending lines at service stations or no gas at all if pumps shut • down on weekends or holidays, intrepid motorists may start to store extra supplies. This "time saving" device may catapult many amateur gas handlers into eternity. Any place where gasoline has been squirreled away is a potential launching pad for that journey. Examples of such takeoff points abound: - Houses have been lifted in flames off foundations when the basement was full of gasoline fumes and a furnance or water heater pilot light touches things off - Garages and workshops have been fragmented when gasoline was used as a grease cleaning solvent on lawnmowers, car engine parts or tools. • - A can of gasoline stored in a|rice cream truck blew the vehicle sky-high last summer in New York City. Some 160 people were injured and office windows were shattered. - Worst of all are reports of people trapped in cars engulfed in flames from extra gasoline containers ignited by a crash...or otherwise. 1.1.1. has compiled potential life-saving suggestions that will become increasingly valuable as the gas crisis deepens: - Keep all gasoline containers tightly capped if they contain any quantity of the fuel. - Once a container is empty and thoroughly ventilated, leave the cap off to allow fumes from the remaining drops of gasoline to evaporate. - Never put gasoline in

anything but a container specifically designed for the fuel.. - Keep giMnhe where only an adultMn get at it. The smell ofjnsoline often is intriguing^ to children; don’t let their curiosity cause them or anyone else

harm.

- Stored gasoline must be , kept away from heat and 1 flame. Remember that gasoline will expand in volume as temperature rises and might seep out of even the best container. -Keep in mind that liquid gasoline burns furiously and that gasoline-air mixtures expolde violently - that’s what makes it dangerous - so don't do anything foolish with gasoline. - If you have any questions about stroing gasoline about the home, consult your fire department. Relentlessly holding these points up like red flags in front of everyone in the community - strating now and continuing as long as the gas shortage endures - will be a public service agents should preempt. The reasons for doing so are too obvious to belabor.

Property Settlement Bill MILLVILLE - Assemblyman James R. Hurley’s biU A-762, which would drastically affect certain property settlements following divorce, has been reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be ready for Senate action shortly after Labor Dayr-"'-' The>fll, if passed by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor, would prohibit distribution of property acquired prior to or during the. marriage by either party by way of gift, devke, or bequest.

MAC Gets Grant

MILLVILLE - Assemblyman James R. Hurley said this week cultural activities, in Cape May County will receive supporting funds amounting to $7,500 under a distribution prepared by

departmental responsibility. The continuing decline in test scores and the learning gap between suburban and urban school districts should be addressed as soon as possible, not three years away.

Eileen K. Lawton, Excutive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Cape May County’s grant of $7,500 to the Mid-Atlantic Center of- the Arts in Cape May City was allocated to support the production of a film in and about the City of Cape May to be shown to visitors on a regularly scheduled basis; and $7,500 to support operating expenses of the Cultural Arts Center in Ocean City.

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. August 16,1979

CAPS MAY COWTV

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!.«!-(?«* Orci»UtU«i In TV Cwrety*

OMert Free Weekly In The County 4 b

Our Thirteenth Year Serving Cape May County

P.O. Bon O tn% Dune Drive ' Avalon, N.J. MM2 Phone M74312 M7-72M ' Published (very Thureday By the Sea wave Corporation Darrell Kopp £dltor and Publisher ■III Sherman Sports Idltor Kathleen Cox Schaeffer Reporter J. A. Cunningham Feature Writer Cheryl Crews Feature Writer Peter Dunne Columnist Charles P. La may Columnist Cheryl Crews Graphics Contributor Gall Carlno Advertising Graphics Susan Carr , Compositor News A Photos Monday—3 p.m. Advertising Monday—3 p.m. Classified Advertising Tuesday - Noon

Noithar participating advartltart nor tho publishers of the HERALD will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., in any issue. The editor reserves the right- to edit any letter or articles submitted for publication.

Tribute To Canuso

To the Editor: A tribute to Helen Meerwald Canuse (on her birthday Aug. 6). I was a Third Grade teacher in the Dennis Twp. Elementary School for 14 years. All during my teaching years (Helen) gave me a lot of help and courage, and was a fine supervisor. Every child who ever graduated from the eighth grade or attended that school, loved and respected

her.

"THEY SOFTLY WALK" They are not gone whopassl Beyond the clasp of hand Out from the strong embrace, They are but come so close We need not grope with hands, Nor look to see, nor try To catch the sound of feet. They have put off their shoes To sdftly walk by day Within our thought, tread At night our dream-led patlis 0? sleep. They are not lost who

find

The sunset gate, the goal (Jf all the weary years Not lost are they who reach the summit of their climb, The peak above the clouds and storms, They are not

lost

Who find the light of sun and stars and God. They are not lost who live In hearts they leave behind In those whom they have loved. They live a life again, And shall live through the years. Eternal life, and grow Each day more beautiful As time declares their good, Forgets the rest, and proves Theii 4 immortality! Deborah Cole Sea Isle City Concert Reset COURT HOUSE - Due to heavy rains Sunday, August 12, the performance by the Mt. Laurel Ballet Company has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 19. The porgram Sunday will begin at 1:30 p.m. , since it has now become a "tripleheader” with the ballet company joining the scheduled Polish Dancers and Dan Desiderio. The ohter portion of the rained-out concert, the DELCO SPEBSQSA "Del-Chord-ian Chorus , has yet to be rescheduled.

ttw SOVERf ION STATE of AFFAIRS

BOYD A WOOD

THEYSAY THAT CHRYSl^ TROUBLE

WHAT

THINK Wl

DO YOU

LL HAPPEN?

YEP

/

APPARENTLY THEY'D. EITHER BANKRUPT OR GET A GOVERNMENT LOAN. .

...ALTHOUGH NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER...