State of the state address, January 4, 1989; cherishing our past -- shaping our future

• Language: unknown
• Published: North Dakota State Library
• Subjects: Politics & Government; Yukon; Battleship; Alaska
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16921coll3/id/5919

Governor's State of the State Address, January 1989 IT '" " <909 "With the invitation to attend the christening of the battleship, North Dakota, was a request to bring along the state flag, and upon inquiry I leaned that the great state of North Dakota has no state flag. We have a slate seal, a slate name, a state flower, but no state flag-no emblem that stands especially for North Dakota. We need one; need it at the Alaska Yukon exhibition; need it when the silver service is presented to the battleship, North Dakota; need it when the National Guard goes to National Encampment; need it floating from our public buildings, side by side with the stars and stripes, to remind us of our dual government and our obligations to each." --Governor John Burke -J QUALITY OF LIFE IMPORTANT TO NORTH DAKOTA We in North Dakota enjoy a tremendous quality of life. Our quality of life is a heritage we must preserve for our children and our children's children. We enjoy long and healthy lives. We are blessed with clean air and clean water and the lowest crime rate in the country. Ours is a relatively low-stress way of life. We live among friends and neighbors who are intelligent, thoughtful and caring people. A good education is the key to maintaining this favorable quality of life for our children and our children's children. Education is also a key to the economic recovery and growth. Knowledge, learning, research, information and skilled intelligence are the raw materials of commerce in a global society. Other states have recovered from economic problems worse than those we now face. We have a tradition of good schools in this state. Good schools do make a difference. We have produced national leaders in just about every field. We graduate more of our students from high school, on a per capita basis, than just about any other state. We send more of them to college than any other state. Unfortunately, due to revenue problems, many of our school programs have begun to deteriorate. We must reverse that trend and strive for excellence, for quality in our schools at all levels. During the past 18 months, a state Education Advancement Task Force has surveyed, researched and analyzed North Dakota's education system, from the prekindergarten through graduate school levels. The recommendations from the Task Force were presented to me and to Dr. Wayne Sanstead, Superintendent of Public Instruction. I thank the members of the task force for their long and hard work. While confirming the many strengths and accomplishments of our educational system, the Task Force has identified major statewide problems, issues and concerns. Maximum coordination of our schools and a mechanism to provide that coordination are fundamental. As the report indicates, student progress must be our ultimate concern. Assessment and evaluation programs and an expanded core curriculum are absolutely necessary. We must offer a competency- based curriculum that provides high school graduates with those skills needed to survive and thrive in an ever-changing society. The need for greater sharing between school districts is obvious. Use of technology must be coordinated on a statewide basis. In my budget message I addressed an enhancement package that would get us back on the track of providing a qualify education in this state. Page 4