THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 10, 1995 TAG: 9506090014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Your editorial regarding funding for Goals 2000 (``Allen shuns money,'' May 31) was a perfect example of why we need to take back our schools.
You people just do not see it! One world order, world-class education and oneness with Mother Earth all sound great; however, if you just think about it, why should we lower our way of life to be like the rest of the world?
I certainly do not advocate isolationism, but I do suggest that throwing money around will not correct the problems we now face in our schools.
Our leaders will not face the reality that 60 years of social slavery has filled our classrooms with millions of dysfunctional children. Most of our schools should be called ``day-care centers.''
The problems are not ``standards'' or ``curriculum.'' The problem is that our leaders ask teachers to be baby sitters as well as educators, and their only remedy is to spend more money on it.
Our governor has listened to the people and has taken a position that, while somewhat symbolic (the 14 million is less than 1 percent or 1 cent per child of the school's budget), does send a message to the federal government.
The people best able to address school problems are parents and teachers. A ``one-size-fits-all'' approach dreamed up in Washington or Harvard will not improve our schools but rather will stifle students and teachers eager to excel.
If your paper were to really investigate Goals 2000, you would discover activities that would astound you. This carrot is only the beginning. It's not the worm that will kill us - it's the hook!
JIM MORRIS
Virginia Beach, May 31, 1995 by CNB