Reagan to Promote Trade, Education in Trip to Missouri

WASHINGTON — President Reagan, in his first trip outside Washington since his surgery in January, will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Thursday to promote his program of trade and competitiveness, his spokesman said Friday.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said that Reagan will attend a conference sponsored by the National Governors’ Assn. on “What Works in Education.”

The President then will visit Fairview Elementary School and Hickman High School, Fitzwater said.

In recent months, numerous studies have been released showing that American students are falling behind their counterparts in other countries in math and science skills. As a result, some proponents of trade legislation have urged that money for improved education programs be included in any trade bill.