Investing in State’s Middle Schools

Gov. Gray Davis’ proposing $1.45 billion for a longer academic year for middle school students (Jan. 7) doesn’t address the core problem of capturing the hearts and minds of disaffected early-adolescents. What would address the apathy--and the learning gap--of students of this age is an equal expenditure developing meaningful curriculum and delivering inspiring instruction.

As a former secondary teacher, present parent of a middle school student and volunteer at his school, I implore Davis to do the hard thing but the right thing. Fund with the $1.45 billion an army of curriculum and instruction specialists to work in the classroom with students and teachers to improve teaching and learning. If he comes to believe California has developed a program deserving of 180 days of students’ time, then he should propose a program demanding 210 days.

BILL HOFFINE

San Diego

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Gov. Davis wants to spend $1.45 billion over three years to extend the school year in middle school. Here is a better plan. Invest the $1.45 billion at 5%, and use the interest to add to the state’s current effort to improve school libraries. The interest would buy nearly one new book per child per year (about $15 per student for each student in California).

California’s school libraries are still the worst in the U.S., our reading scores are still among the worst in the U.S., and there are abundant data relating library quality and availability of good books with reading test scores. In three years, the $1.45 billion will be gone and we will still have the additional expense of a longer school year, but a one-time investment in school libraries will improve literacy in California forever.

STEPHEN KRASHEN

Professor of Education, USC

Los Angeles

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Gov. Davis gets an F for this idea. His solution to the problem of underachieving middle school students exemplifies what happens when politicians try to fix educational problems. His solution for underachieving students who are being left out of reforms, poor teacher training and large classroom numbers: Make them suffer these conditions for another six weeks. How stupid can you get!

MARK BROWN

Laguna Niguel