Bumps ahead for schools

Re “Forward on L.A. schools,” editorial, April 22

Here we go again with another round of reform talks for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Unfortunately, most reforms merely rearrange the deck chairs.

The countless dollars wasted on consultants could be better spent on early intervention, so by the time youngsters hit middle school they will have mastered their multiplication tables, fractions and basic geography.

In today’s inner-city high schools, many students don’t have what it takes to be successful. Far too many students lack the desire to do homework and study. We need to put meaning back into the grade-level structure or completely revamp it.

The latest reform fiasco is full inclusion of special education students into regular classrooms. This will spell implosion as those with learning handicaps are thrown into the dysfunctional classrooms that are already filled with youngsters who are unable to do grade-level work.

JEFF GOLDBERG

Inglewood

The writer is a Crenshaw High School history teacher.

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Your editorial states that L.A. Board of Education member Jon Lauritzen has repeatedly placed the interests of United Teachers Los Angeles ahead of the needs of students.

Are these two things separate? If teachers don’t know how best to improve our schools, who does? Bureaucrats who have never been in a classroom? Supt. David L. Brewer? Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa?

How about The Times’ editorial writers? What credentials do they have in terms of educating students?

SCOTT BURSTEIN

Los Angeles