ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 10, 1990                   TAG: 9004100560
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOL PROGRAM HELPED HER CHILD

AN ARTICLE April 3 about the $1 million deficit for the Ronaoke County school system mentioned the county Career Center, started this school year. I was concerned that the article may lead people to believe that this school was only for dropouts or children with behavior problems, and concerned that the program might be dropped.

My son has a learning disability. Since he started going to this school this year, he has gone from C's and D's with the occasional F to A's and B's with the occasional C. I believe in this program, and even though it only goes to the ninth grade, would hope that it can be extended to 10th and on.

My son doesn't feel so frustrated now as he did in "normal" school because he is given that extra bit of attention and help he needs to work at his level without feeling he's so far behind everyone else. It gives him more confidence in himself, more pride in himself. The ratio of children to teacher at RCCC is about 10-1.

I am very pleased with this program and hope that it will continue through the years to help the children like my son who need a school of this caliber. MARTHA D. PADGETT ROANOKE 


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