Conversation on education needed

Re “School plan comes amid fiscal crisis,” Nov. 23

The article gives a negative perspective about the pros- pects for improving the state’s education system. Yes, revenues will be tight, but that also provides an opportunity for an open dialogue about what must be done to improve outcomes for children without the prospect of a feeding frenzy about how new dollars will be spent.

This next year should be used to put into place a solid framework for change, one that will guide how dollars must be spent and what changes must be made to education policies. The governor’s committee will apparently offer many thoughtful suggestions, which should be thoroughly debated in the course of seeing what fixes need to be made, not simply cast aside. Low- or no-cost items such as the creation of an information system to assist educators and provide accountability information and the consolidation of programs can be enacted in 2008.

Unless policymakers enact comprehensive reforms, the future is bleak. Losing another year when action can be taken would be irresponsible.

Christopher T. Cross

Danville

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The Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence states, “California’s K-12 education system is broken.” Fewer than half of all ninth-graders end up with a high school diploma, and yet Assemblyman Gene Mullin (D-San Mateo), chairman of the Education Committee, says the state can’t afford to fix the problem.

California is not the only state immersed in a crisis to educate children. Our president, presidential hopefuls, Congress and all states must address this national scandal. Legislators who believe you can increase tax revenue by turning students into tax burdens are buried in the political bunk of teachers unions.

Children are not only our greatest natural resource; they are our greatest potential for new tax revenue. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asks, “Shouldn’t we put that plan up there and say: Bring all the stakeholders together, and let’s figure out a way of how we can do that?” Governor, this should not be a question but a statement of fact.

Marcie Lipsitt

Franklin, Mich.