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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991                   TAG: 9102200482
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE NOT MAKING RIGHT INVESTMENT IN ITS CHILDREN

IN AN ARTICLE on the Commentary Page Feb. 3, former Gov. Gerald Baliles said Virginia should not lose sight of long-term goals and competitiveness in the face of budget cuts. He also spoke of "A competitive Virginia [that] invests in its children so they grow into healthy, well-educated adults who have the skills needed by the modern work force."

Well, as a junior at Virginia Tech I feel Virginia is not properly "investing in its children." Although budget cuts will hurt our educational system, the real problem is at the secondary level.

During my three years at Virginia Tech, I have had the opportunity to talk with several students about their high-school experience. What I heard did not indicate an educational system that produces "well-educated" adults.

Most students said that when they first entered college, they were not prepared for the academic challenges they confronted. They had to change their study habits as well as their attitude toward school. Students are not pushed enough to succeed by themselves, their parents or their teachers. Other factors include poor presentation of subject material, lack of teacher expertise and insufficient resources.

If Virginia wants to be competitive, then changes need to be made: not only in the amount of funding for public schools, but also in the ways we view education and educate. The following would at least be a start:

Lengthen the school year from 180 days to 220. Increasing time in school would increase the amount of material that could be taught.

Increase emphasis on mathematics and science. These not only have practical application but also teach students problem-solving.

Offer incentives to teachers to continue their education.

Encourage parents to instill more of a "hard-work" ethic in their children to make them want to succeed.

It is time for Virginians to realize that we are not educating our children to their potential. An educated society is a competitive society. The solution may be long-term, but the time to act is now. CHRISTOPHER R. NOLEN BLACKSBURG

by CNB