Students Need an Education, Not a Social Revolution

It was disturbing, but not surprising, to read about the Los Angeles Leadership Academy, the public-funded charter school that is teaching social justice revolution to middle-school students when most of them read at second-grade level and need remedial training (“Reading, Writing and . . . Revolution,” by Richard Lee Colvin, Oct. 5). Indeed, it is troubling enough that the education establishment left generations of students functionally illiterate by replacing fundamental academics with the nonsense of political correctness, censored textbooks, historical reconstruction, social promotion and outcome-based programs. But playing social revolution and protest games with young minds is unconscionable.

Daniel B. Jeffs

Apple Valley

*

Having taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District and lectured in the UCLA Graduate School of Education, I believe the Los Angeles Leadership Academy serves as an instructive case study of what is both right and wrong about charter schools. For disadvantaged students who have been ill-served by traditional schools, the academy offers hope in the form of small classes, caring teachers and involved parents. At the same time, however, the school has the daunting task of remedying the students’ deficits in literacy and numeracy. Its success in raising student consciousness and test scores ultimately will determine its future and that of other charter schools throughout the country.

Walt Gardner

Los Angeles

*

Do we really need another generation of “empowered” and “deserving” spoiled brats who lack the most basic educational skills? School founders Roger Lowenstein and Susanne Coie are churning out misinformed people who believe that they are entitled to everything, and when they are met with reasonable debate, they will spew years of leftist, venomous propaganda directed at their middle-class white counterparts.

Edith Hershkovich Ellenhorn

Beverly Hills

*

As a volunteer with the Los Angeles Leadership Academy, I was sorry to read Colvin’s negative take on the school. I have seen positive effects on students in just one year. The school offers supervision, which keeps students from being latchkey kids, and counselors who meet with families and evaluate students’ special needs. Students also receive two square meals and a snack every day, not sugar-filled fast foods that are prevalent in the public schools.

Chante Pierce

Malibu

*

The academy has achieved what liberal educators have always wanted: schoolchildren who can’t read, can’t do math and know nothing about history. Naturally, they do know that America is evil, capitalism is immoral and George Bush is a war criminal.

Marc Klein

Los Angeles