THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996             TAG: 9608290008
SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   37 lines

MORE THAN SCHOOL REFORM IS NEEDED

You are correct in your perceptive editorial which emphasizes that the setting of standards for students is not enough to ensure an adequate education (``School-reform critique,'' Aug. 19). Yes, standards are needed. More than that, students need an enthusiasm for learning. Teachers need an enthusiasm for teaching. Administrators need an enthusiasm for helping. And, then, the community needs an enthusiasm in its support of education.

Your editorial states: ``The goal ought to be to educate every willing student to the level of his or her potential.'' A key word here is ``willing.'' The whole community should work with schools to help set an atmosphere of willingness for education. This has implications for parental attitudes, but especially implications for the community attitude of helping parents who are mired in poverty. Many parents are struggling to survive financially amid crime and violence.

How can exhausted parents give still more energy to help guide their unwilling offspring toward a better education? Perhaps the community could set ``standards'' of continuing to look for opportunities to lessen the burdens of overwhelmed parents.

The diversity of individuals and the diversity of cultures are enormous benefits which the city of Norfolk is privileged to have. These benefits were recently noted on a televised meeting of school personnel. Support and diversity are difficult to balance. Support for valuing diversity, as well as the support of the diversity itself, is important. Team work must be modeled in the community. Through this teamwork, the community needs to remember the plight of the struggling parents. A community that cares for all of its peoples is a most-worthwhile standard.

SARAH SHERWOOD LITCHFIELD

Sioux Falls, S.D., Aug. 24, 1996

Editor's note: Ms. Litchfield is a former Norfolk city schoolteacher and parent of former Norfolk students. by CNB