Internet Report Cards Get an ‘F’

On Feb. 16, The Times ran an editorial headlined, “Posting Grades on Net Is Too Risky.” The editorial was in reference to a high-tech boondoggle being implemented by the Orange County Board of Education. The editorial raised legitimate concerns regarding security.

The Times’ worst fears have been realized elsewhere. A small school district outside Chicago had the FBI in recently, interrogating students for their roles in penetrating the “firewalls” of the district’s Internet posting system.

The students broke the security system, got into the database and changed their attendance records, exam results and report card grades. Prescient call, Times! Earth to Orange County Board of Education, over?

BRUCE CRAWFORD

Fountain Valley

* Re “Put Time Back in School Year,” March 17 editorial:

Not only do California students have fewer annual school days than students abroad, their typical day is shorter as well.

Kindergarten students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, for example, meet the state requirement for the minimum number of minutes allowed by law. Kindergartners attend school only 200 minutes, a shorter day than most preschool programs. There have been loud but unsuccessful protests about this issue.

In addition, due to a collective bargaining agreement made years ago with the teachers’ union, there is a weekly early dismissal day for elementary teacher meetings.

Any funding to protect the precious 180 days of school the children of California are entitled to would be welcomed. It is sensible to compensate teachers for training as long as it doesn’t cut into student time. The state legislature should take a close look at the number of minutes per day children attend school as well as the number of annual days of school. Children have been paying the price for this slow erosion of time.

LIZANNE WITTE

Corona del Mar

* Regarding such conservative drivel about our schools (March 23 letters):

Do we have to waste our time with the unsubstantiated opinions from people I’ll bet haven’t stepped foot in a school in years? Schools are overwhelmed by the problems left at their doorstep every day. Yes, we could educate just those that show up from a home that supports learning by providing children what they need to do well in schools.

However, schools must take all kids, and therefore all of society’s problems. Kids are not “convinced” they are victims through counseling. They already are victims of abuse and neglect, and this idea that all they need is the “basics” to survive in the world of high-tech and global competition is antiquated.

Public schools do a great job of educating students who possess a true desire to learn. Four-year universities have plenty of freshmen entering each fall. Where the extreme challenge comes for society is educating the marginal students that are just as important to our country’s success. Throwing them away, or relegating them to the have-not schools that would be created by a voucher system that drains away scarce school resources, would only perpetuate society’s problems. Either provide services to families that need help or provide the schools with the resources to help families. When the raw material entering schools improves, the end product will improve.

GARY W. GRAY

Costa Mesa