The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, September 30, 1995           TAG: 9509290021
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   28 lines

LD AIDES A NECESSITY

I applaud ``20-year tug of war pits kids' needs, schools' money'' (news, Sept. 17). As a teacher of the learning disabled for nearly 20 years, the article's content regarding that area of special ed was of particular interest.

At one time LD aides were assigned to each LD teacher in the county in which I taught. Each aide was paid less than $10,000 a year. When these positions were eliminated, quality of education suffered. When an LD teacher serves 20 or more students per day (each with an individualized educational plan), an aide is a necessity.

Most LD students who receive proper attention and guidance become contributing members of society in adulthood. A little spent now will save the state much more in later years.

DOROTHY K. DURKIN

Richmond, Sept. 21, 1995 by CNB