Year-Round Schools in L.A.

I commend the school board in its decision to implement a system of year-round school attendance. Overloaded classrooms mean less “quality time” can be spent with students individually. Obviously, it is going to take some time adjusting to the new system. After all, we all have grown accustomed to a three-month vacation. But three months is long enough for some students to forget information needed to continue on the next level. A one-month break would reduce this problem considerably. Besides, I think once the plan begins, children won’t mind a one-month vacation every three months.

We must all, however, realize that this is only a temporary solution to a very serious problem. This has merely bought us a little more time. The situation will have to be dealt with again, and sooner than we think. Ultimately, more schools will have to be built. If we are smart, we will start now and ease the crunch gradually. I am hopeful that when I have children and they are old enough to attend school, they will get the type of individual attention from their teachers that I think is essential to a quality education.

TONY SCHWARTZ

Los Angeles