THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997              TAG: 9702070019
SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   20 lines

BLAME THE PARENTS

I read with interest the Jan. 31 article ``Making educators accountable'' whereby, under the Norfolk Quality Schools Initiative, teachers and administrators will become accountable for their students' low achievements.

I am all for improving the academic climate. However, I feel such a change must come from home. Parents must take responsibility for making their children attend class, follow up on homework assignments and, more importantly, define education as valuable and worthwhile.

All extra teacher training and additional supplies cannot make up for this difference. Ultimately, parents are the ones who must be held accountable. Let's put the blame where it really belongs.

SUSAN K. HOLBROOK

Norfolk, Feb. 1, 1997