Books Lost in L.A. Schools

Re “Group Warns of Potential Textbook Loss,” Aug. 14: A majority of schools do not rely on two little white cards but rather one white and one blue. The use of the cards is a very effective inventory process. The students fill out those cards which gives them an indication that they will be held responsible for the book. The blue copy is kept by the classroom teacher. Some of us (classroom teachers) hold weekly book checks during quizzes. Textbooks must be covered, clean and with the proper identification. We model the importance of maintaining our “tools” and demonstrate our expectations so we experience very little loss. California Community Foundation appears to have missed the main problem with texts. The California Supreme Court has ruled that a diploma is a property right. Therefore if students do not return their textbooks, the school cannot withhold the diplomas. There are very few other “carrots” a school can use to make sure books are returned. In LAUSD we have a very large transient rate, and for the vast majority of these students returning a textbook is not on the top of their list.

ALEX TAYLOR

Eagle Rock High School

*

Re “L.A. Schools’ Fiscal Watchdog Faces Dismissal,” Aug. 13: Is anyone surprised that the entrenched educrats are kicking and clawing to maintain a status quo that commands no fiscal accountability? While Wajeeh Ersheid’s comments about Filipinos were certainly not wise or politically correct, they are far from being racist (a grossly misused word).

Besides, let us not forget the real and gravely important issues involved here (which have nothing to do with racism). One of the largest school districts in the nation is handling its finances in a manner that no private business owner could tolerate or afford. When are we all going tow realize that unless districts and schools are exposed to competitive free-market pressures (as would happen under a school choice voucher system or privatization), there will never be an incentive for these educrats to change anything? In the meantime our kids continue to lose out to special interest and wasteful bureaucracy.

MARCUS LEE

Los Angeles