School Computers

* I think President’s Clinton’s plan to connect every student to the Internet is a great idea (“Clinton Begins Push for School Computers,” Feb. 9). However, before he spends the money on this it would be a good idea to have the children in this state obtain books so they can learn to read, write, spell and do simple math.

My daughter teaches second grade in the upper-class area of La Costa, Calif. The only book the children have is a reading book. All other subject lessons have to be made up and copied from old books or from any material they can get their hands on. It is a ridiculous situation. My daughter even has to pay for the paper and ask for contributions from parents for other materials. If this is going on in La Costa, I can’t even imagine how difficult life must be for the children of South-Central L.A.

The president needs to get his priorities in order before devising the grand plan for the Internet.

JACQUIE MAHONEY

Claremont Caption: Reuters