Honig Disputes Schools Study

Offering figures disputing the conclusions of a university study, state schools chief Bill Honig said today that California’s educational program is working and that minority student scores prove it.

“Some statements in the study are very misleading and just can’t be backed up,” said Honig, superintendent of public instruction. He said the 10-year survey by University of Chicago researchers gives “an erroneous impression.” Eighth-graders throughout the state made gains in reading, history, writing, math and science, Honig told reporters at a Los Angeles news conference. The gains are across the board, contrary to the study that surveyed state achievement test scores in 450 metropolitan-area high schools in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, he said.