Education’s Key Is Teachers

* Re “State Leaders to Unveil Agenda for Educational Testing,” Jan. 11:

I always thought that the best education I could get depended on the school I attended. So when I saw your story I was very curious to know what public-school systems were up to.

All public high schools, in general, need more qualified teachers who want to take the time to teach students, not only during school hours, but before and after.

Teachers and administration in a public school are very complacent and do not seem to be as motivated to look after the well-being of the students as compared to private-school teachers and administrators. I feel very strongly on that point concerning the public-school system, which is why I am currently a senior attending a Catholic, all-girls private school. So the public-school system should find ways to improve on the attitudes of public-school teachers and administrators.

JAN MINETTE LAQUI

Anaheim

* Overcrowding is no doubt affecting our schools’ ability to educate. The state has pumped millions into our school system trying to raise the student’s math and reading scores. It has tried to reduce class size in elementary schools. It has tried bonus incentives for schools as well as for teachers and for students, hoping that the scores of the Stanford 9 test would rise. The newest idea is to add an additional six weeks of school for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

Instead of punishing the students with more school, perhaps the state should create a better atmosphere in which to learn. We need to build more schools. We need to reduce class size and hire more teachers for the math and reading classes that are so important for the API scores.

MATT ROCKLIN

Sophomore

Dana Hills High School

* As it is, California has one of the longest public-school years in the nation. As it is, my middle-school-aged daughter regularly finds her bedtime at midnight or later, after completing homework. As it is, my wife (who teaches high school algebra) grades assignments each night late into the night, on weekends and during family vacations, to keep abreast of state standards.

Even Gov. Davis’ advisors admit that lengthening the school year will help the governor and school districts avoid building a true bridge to students’ understanding of algebra statewide by reducing class sizes. That would simply cost “too much money.”

I would propose that we use the days of the current school year more efficiently, teach not only algebra, but the variety of subjects that contribute to the education of a truly well-rounded individual. I propose that we make the teaching profession more attractive to gifted people of all disciplines. Most importantly, I propose that we allow families the time, authority and creativity to be the primary educators of their children.

RICK DELANTY

San Clemente