Excellence and education

Demands for excellence have achieved national prominence. Educators need to include the state, civism, and equity within the framework of defining excellence. Rightist and leftist philosophic/social views differ in approach and solution. Norms, quality, and selectivity are slogans of the Right. Equality, justice, and inclusion are the watchwords of the Left. With a traditional view of society currently ascendant, liberals must meet the challenge. For the sake of equity all must be educated in core subjects, using varied approaches, for a productive, competent citizenry. For those who can produce at a higher level in the arts, humanities, or science, teachers, resources, and standards must nurture, guide, and challenge. Excellence, as a standard open to continual revision and assessment, thus emerges as a goal for all.