THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 1995 TAG: 9510040009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Your analysis of laws and attitudes affecting special education (``How to save special ed,'' editorial, Sept. 24) was realistic and constructive. Combined with your cooperation with Community Networking Association to sponsor discussions on our schools, The Virginian-Pilot has demonstrated a profound concern for education.
The thrust of the editorial is summed up in this paragraph: ``The days of education on a mass-production model in crowded classes are past. All education is going to be increasingly individualized. Schools had better get used to it.''
This comment applies not only to students who have learning problems but also to those who are gifted and motivated. Too often their progress is impeded by grouping them with others who are less prepared to move at an accelerated pace. The conclusion is obvious: Individualized instruction can benefit all students, enabling each to learn at his/her own rate.
With today's technology, this approach is not farfetched. Techniques that make computer games so attractive can be adapted to reading, algebra, history and, probably, any other subject at all grade levels. An educational program can require the student to demonstrate mastery of function before moving ahead to more complex operations.
In summary, hardware and software capabilities already exist. The cost could be less than that of the present system. What is needed is a pilot project to test the thesis and form the nucleus of a market.
TOM AIKEN
Virginia Beach, Sept. 27, 1995 by CNB