Bravo for Early Birds

Re “Early Birds Get the Equation,” Oct. 20: Bravo for reporting the heroism of professor John Lenhert and his early-bird algebra students. I taught algebra for two decades to Los Angeles secondary students during the regular school day.

Good attitude and preparation facilitated success; youthful apathy did not. Imagine if secondary students could read and ponder your article prior to starting their algebra course. When students asked why they needed to learn “this stuff,” I explained the value of keeping all their education options open. Early-bird algebra students prove the point.

Betty Raskoff Kazmin

Willard, Ohio