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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992                   TAG: 9203040300
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOLS: DON'T JUST COMPLAIN; OBSERVE

LETTERS complaining about public schools not giving full value compare public (apples) to private education (oranges) and compound misconceptions held by many. Unlike public systems, private schools have greater latitude regarding discipline and do not necessarily work under the legal constraints imposed by mandated state and federal programs.

In addition, private schools do not have to educate everyone. They can exercise tighter admissions policies and eject troublesome students quickly.

Often, that leaves a greater portion of "disadvantaged" students for the public sector to deal with. This includes several "handicapped" classifications (physical, mental, emotional or any combination thereof). The economically disadvantaged and/or those who have little or no encouragement from home to value an education also end up in the public systems.

This results in extra burdens on school personnel, which relegates teaching subject matter to a lower priority. Identifying substance abusers and potential suicides, as well as counseling the rising number of generally dysfunctional young people, occupies a greater portion of staff time than in the past. Add that to an increasingly more stressful school atmosphere, and you ask a lot of your educational system.

Even if you have no school-age children, it is your tax money. I suggest a more constructive path than complaining. Get involved! Visit your schools, talk to staff members and just spend some time observing. Things have changed drastically in recent years and will continue to do so.

Society imposes heavier and heavier responsibilities on public education. That must be worth something, especially to those who often comment, "You couldn't pay me enough money to teach school!" ELIZABETH PAULL TROUTVILLE

by CNB