Challenges Facing LAUSD

* Re “We Must Think of Each Child in the LAUSD as Our Own,” Commentary, Oct. 31: Howard Miller has left out one vital element that will “change the culture of public education”--parents! They must be held accountable for their child’s achievement.

I am a fifth-grade teacher for LAUSD near the mid-Wilshire area. I have many students who were eligible for reading intervention during our recent seven-week break. Many of these “at-risk” students, who happen to have second-grade-level language arts skills, failed to attend the three-week course. The parents were told the importance of their child’s attendance in these classes and the possibility of retention.

In addition to not attending the intervention program, the students did not complete reasonable assignments. The parents should have made sure their child attended the classes and completed the assignments. Parents must be included in the change of public education.

ELAINE J. FRANKLIN

Burbank

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* With all the current administrative problems at the LAUSD, it is easy to lose sight of some good things happening at the local school level. Both of my children attend LAUSD schools and are receiving an excellent education, appropriate to their separate needs.

My 8-year-old gifted daughter is at the Open Charter School in Westchester, one of the most innovative schools in the state, with classes “clustered” together in two grade levels and two teachers assigned to each cluster. Their philosophy is that children are “natural learners.”

My almost-5 son, who has developmental delays, attends a special education class at Hancock Park School with nine children and a one-on-one aide to assist him, as his physical coordination lags behind. He is receiving physical therapy and speech therapy at school and is learning how to use a computer to communicate.

Both of these schools have dedicated principals, committed and caring teachers and involved parents. In looking to improve LAUSD, the district administration needs to provide the necessary resources for all of our children to succeed.

MICHELLE K. WOLF

Los Angeles