Changing moral values are part of the equation

Re “California’s exit exam fails employers,” Current, Jan. 29

Professor Russell W. Rumberger says student social skills need to be evaluated. He lists motivation, tenacity, trustworthiness and perseverance as indicative of a graduate’s value to an employer and as measurable by earnings differentials.

Aside from the difficulty of measuring tenacity and trustworthiness, these are not recognized by the schools as part of the curriculum. These values are part of the Judeo-Christian life. But our school system encourages a cafeteria of moral values. In fact, schools frown on teachers who want to teach values or morals.

Diversity training can easily squelch debate and sensitive understanding. Some cultures represented in our schools value compromise and team-playing more than a plumb line of personal tenacity. Some cultures encourage cunning and evasion rather than integrity and trustworthiness. We need a discussion of which moral values are to be passed on to the next generation.

ELAINE BINDER

Alhambra