Wilson on Education

A comment on schools by Gov. Pete Wilson in his interview with columnist George Skelton (Aug. 25), that the worst classroom culprit is lack of parental motivation, which is “much more important than money,” calls for a response from the state’s largest advocacy organization for children and families, the California State Parent-Teacher Assn.

What Gov. Wilson sees as a lack of parental motivation is more likely the result of the economic realities family life in the 1990s--joblessness, poverty, two-income families, single-parent families, parents who must commute to work and, yes, the frustration of many parents with the educational system. The fact is, most parents want and pursue the very best education available for their children.

The worst culprit in our classrooms is the lack of commitment to quality education on the part of the elected officials, employers, employees and taxpayers of California. One solution to the problem is for school districts, school administrators and teachers to encourage and welcome parents as partners in the classroom and in the educational system. Another solution is for the governor and the Legislature to provide the financial support that will raise California from its position of 40th out of 50 states in spending per pupil.

PAT DINGSDALE, President, California State PTA, Simi Valley