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Twenty-five years ago, the National Commission on Excellence in Education issued a landmark indictment against deficiencies in our educational process. In a report titled "A Nation at Risk," the authors cited areas such as diluted curricula and low expectations as being detrimental to high student achievement. In addition, the "Nation at Risk" report presented disturbing facts about the amount of time our children spend in school compared to other countries and the difficulty in attracting bright, talented and capable teachers to the profession.

Not much has changed since 1983.

In a current assessment of the state of education in America, the findings indicate that recommendations from 1983 that are related to time spent in the classroom, academic standards and the improvement of teacher compensation have not been realized. The recent analysis, "A Stagnant Nation: Why American Schools Are Still at Risk" was produced by several philanthropies including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Strong American Schools project of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

The authors of "A Stagnant Nation" cite the reason for the lack of change during the past 25 years as being caused not by a flawed educational system, but by opposition from organized special interest groups and political inertia. The conclusion of the report contains an admonition that bold leadership from the top (i.e., the President) is necessary to empower the federal government to assist the states.

Support from the federal government certainly is important; however, a commitment from the grassroots level in our local communities can have a greater impact. If we look hard enough, we can find pockets of local school districts that have found the means to address some of the deficiencies identified in "A Nation at Risk" - notwithstanding opposition. Massachusetts was mentioned in the report as the only state that increased the required time students spend in school. If Massachusetts can do it - albeit with addressing only one deficiency - other states can, as well. And if states can address deficiencies, so can local communities.

The blueprint already is in place with the "Nation at Risk" report. We will continue to be a nation at risk until we, as a people and as citizens in our local community, become committed to making positive change in our educational process. How true are the words of Margaret Mead who said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Dr. Kerry Hart is dean of Colorado Mountain College's Alpine Campus in Steamboat Springs. Contact him at 870-4414 or khart@coloradomtn.edu.