THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508220013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
I agree with Norfolk school Superintendent Roy. D. Nichols Jr. that educators ``can ask parents to do more'' concerning their child's education (``Poor test scores have superintendent striving to upgrade academic efforts,'' MetroNews, Aug. 6). Our children's poor reading ability and academic failure are not the result of a faulty American education system. Before we sink another red cent into a more costly ``radically different approach,'' we should consider the following ``suggestions.''
Turn off the television set and let children use the public libraries as a haven for creative, constructive entertainment. Rather than squander money on experimental year-round school programs, why not make a summer assignment of required reading lists and book reports? Public libraries accessible to all have a wealth of untapped knowledge ready and waiting. This would require some time and effort on the part of the parents, but isn't parenting about responsibility?
Rather than restructuring elementary schools, get parents actively involved in the education process. Help them take pride in the accountability that they have on their child's academic success. Every parent, no matter how poor, could donate time to after-school enrichment programs that promote a love of learning in grade-school children.
Our immigrant grandparents in impoverished conditions did not blame the school system if their children were not academically successful. They did not depend on the school system to ``teach the children the importance of respect, self-discipline and responsibility.'' Americans have forgotten that education begins in the home and continues in the school. It is time and effort, not our money, that will guide our children to a successful future.
CAROL A. WATSON
Virginia Beach, Aug. 6, 1995 by CNB