Deukmejian’s School Budget

As an educator and parent involved in the program for gifted and talented students, I am concerned about the governor’s education budget for 1987-88. I protest the elimination of funding for specific programs that serve gifted students, economically disadvantaged students and students who need more intensive reading instruction. The governor proposes to reallocate the funding to reduce class size in the first grade.

Reduction of class size in our public schools is a commendable goal and the focus on first-grade class size is sensible. It is not sensible, however, to accomplish this goal at the expense of both students who receive instruction in specialized programs and those in the regular classroom.

It is ironic that while their younger schoolmates would supposedly be receiving the benefit from greater teacher attention in smaller classrooms, other elementary students would remain in classes where the effectiveness of the learning environment has been reduced. The ultimate reduction will not be in class size. It will be in educational quality for most elementary school students.

JAMES PATRICK PHELAN

Santa Ana