Private Choices on Public Education

As a mother of four children in the L.A. public school system, I was so excited to read Ted Forstmann’s “Parents Need to Lead Children Into Education That Works” (Commentary, May 3), on choice in public education. When are we parents going to wake up to the fact that we are the consumers of public education and that we should demand more choices and a better-quality product?

True change will not come about without the ingredient that motivates change--competition. If we were able to choose our schools, the schools would be forced to improve. We could demand schools that emphasize the arts, schools based on alternative approaches to learning, schools that encourage our children to become physically fit or offer enriching after-school programs. Most of all, we could demand that our teachers be better trained, better qualified and better compensated, which would restore teaching as an attractive career option to our best university graduates. My criterion for a school that works is the level of excitement and interest it holds for my child. I want my kids to be happy, stimulated and lifelong learners.

We can and should make these demands. But parents often feel helpless to seek out what is best for their children or to make demands when faced with that monster of bureaucracy, the LAUSD. We Angelenos have set the trends in the world on so many fronts, why not our public schools?

Cynthia du Bois Chair

Parent Advisory Council

District E Los Angeles

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William Bennett, in “Fight, Don’t Compromise, on Education” (Commentary, May 4), says that school choice, i.e., vouchers, is the most important reform. Instead of “education competition,” why not bolster the local schools? Let’s make the schools the community centers of the neighborhood. Increase the safety and quality of both the schools and community.

Create smaller classrooms with the voucher money. We know smaller classes improve learning. Teachers are professionals. They want the best for their students. Stop blaming them for everything. Bennett leaves the parents and family out of his plan. Isn’t this the most important reform?

David W. Berke

Teacher, Nidorf Juvenile Hall School

Sylmar