Back to the drawing board on education
Re: “How can we make public education work?” Aug. 19 Perspective article.
Van Schoales (“Break the inertia with drastic measures”) and Tony Lewis (“New schools, stronger leaders, more autonomy”) have many ideas about how public education must be changed in order to “fix it.” They are right on target with many of their suggestions, too. Certainly leadership is one of the most important factors in school success, and quality teachers make all the difference. However, I question the theory that we must prepare every high school student for college.
I have taught many high school students, and I have met and appreciated many who have no interest in the ivy towers. They would like to be good welders, computer technicians, chefs, body shop owners, electricians, none of which requires a B.A. The reason many of these students drop out is because school is not relevant to them. As we add more and more required academic subjects for graduation, they have less time to take what few vocational classes might be available to them, and in most schools those are mighty scarce.
Requiring all students to take four years of math and English for graduation just doesn’t make sense. Let us allow for a little more individualism in our education system, in addition to all the other good ideas being stirred into the pot.
Vesta Harper, Fort Collins
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The longer students stay in school, the more behind they become, because they learn that school in America is just a massive indoctrination system, teaching us to believe we should become good taxpayers to pay for all the benefits that authoritarian government promises us. Claiming that more money, or more legislation, will fix the problem is evidence of adults who are a product of the education system.
Do you want to fix the problem? Then put a “for sale” sign on the front of every public school and let private enterprise provide education. Maybe then the ideals on which our future depends will once again be taught.
John Zaugg, Denver
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I suspect that Tony Lewis’ article can be published again a year, two years, five years or 10 years from now and the situation will have continued to deteriorate.
The article addresses the problems but simply does not address the basic sources of the problem. No mention whatsoever is made of the teachers union and the totally negative impact caused by a controlling organization that is not really interested in the resultant product and whose main interest is teacher compensation regardless of ability. Further, no mention is made about the lack of competition in the education system.
As an outsider looking in, it appears to me that under the current system, teachers don’t really have to produce. The pay is the same regardless of ability and it is extremely difficult to get rid of the incompetent, thanks to the union.
Throw out the teachers union and institute a system of vouchers. That would put the control in the hands of the parents, where it belongs.
Ray Carney, Lakewood
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Reforming schools is challenging. Multiple innovations directed at the district, the curriculum, the test, the length of the school year, the community, etc., can make a difference. What makes the greatest difference, however, is the quality of teaching in classrooms.
Quality teaching occurs when teachers and principals engage in daily, collaborative, rigorous, professional learning focused on the learning needs of students in their classrooms and schools as a part of their work day. Increasing student academic achievement and keeping students in school through graduation requires that teachers and principals work together, learn together and solve problems of practice together. Given the chance, professionals in schools can solve any problem they face if the conditions are right.
The conditions are simple. First, the school day allows for time for professionals to learn and work together to deepen content knowledge, expand pedagogy, plan instruction, examine student work, address different student learning needs, clarify student learning outcomes, and use the results of frequent classroom assessments to modify instruction. Secondly, everyone assumes collective responsibility for student and teacher success. Thirdly, teachers and principals have the know-how to work together. Collaborative learning is the hallmark of a profession and the major contributor to student results.
Joellen Killion, Deputy Executive Director, National Staff Development Council, Arvada
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Tony Lewis writes, “To turn around what many consider to be a ‘failed urban district,’ [Denver Public Schools] must provide radical solutions that include support for an array of high quality school choices for families … .” I am going to presume the choice is also for the students, not just the families. But is Mr. Lewis willing to consider a choice that possibly minority male students might chose: a school specializing in basketball or football? These schools could have much of the curriculum built around the sport, the history of the sport, the business of the sport including local clubs and stores, etc. A school for basketball, for example, would have many levels of teams, from varsity to intermediate intra-school teams. Further, how about a school on politics, with the state government right here? Let’s find out what parents and students who are now dropping out might chose if they really chose what they want.
Dick Peterson, Denver
State of newspapers
Re: “Jounal slid before Murdoch,” Aug. 19 Ed Quillen column.
I feel Ed Quillen’s credibility to evaluate the decline of The Wall Street Journal over the past decade is lacking because of his employment by The Denver Post. During this time, I believe the quality of The Post (and your cross-town rival) has declined significantly, while The Wall Street Journal has maintained a high degree of integrity and quality reporting.
The economic challenges all print newspapers are facing are well known. I believe the only way any print newspaper will survive is to publish information that readers can get only via their subscription. However, readers will only pay for information they find is of value to them; it must be trustworthy, timely, educational and, above all, interesting.
I would like to see more consistent space in The Post dedicated to in- depth reporting and thoughtful opinion. Drop the sound bites from The New York Times and other wire services; most of these stories were published in yesterday’s newspapers or websites, or were aired on last night’s television news shows. They are a waste of space and don’t add value to a paying subscriber. Finally, a little less “police blotter” and a little more “plutography” might help subscription sales to those who are both able and willing to pay for it.
William T. Jackson, Highlands Ranch
Still jazzed about jazz?
Re: “Jazz clubs feeling the blues,” Aug. 19 business news story.
Your article about jazz clubs in Denver suggested jazz is a dying art form. I take vigorous exception to that.
The jazz presence in Denver and the region is alive and vital, and contributes to the artistic well-being of the area. The biggest problem with jazz as a mass or popular music form is that there has not been the tremendous marketing effort of media hype that other forms get nowadays.
Because jazz lacks the glamour and star-making power that it once had, fewer people are actively listening. I believe this is largely because it requires effort and attention on the part of the audience to appreciate jazz; one needs to actually listen to the music, as opposed to merely being in the same room as seems to follow in the other formats. Been to any pop concerts lately? Everybody is too busy screaming, talking or doing other things to do much but feel the beat.
If you go a bit deeper, you will find that jazz has a devoted and consistent following. I recently attended a concert in Greeley for the annual jazz festival and workshop at the University of Northern Colorado. The program was the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, preceded by an all-star big band composed primarily of music educators from various colleges and universities. Although there was a representation of the “over 40” crowd, I was amazed to see a tremendous number of high school and college students in the audience. To my further amazement, they actually sat and listened to the music. To me, their presence and participation was indicative of jazz being quite alive and well.
As a cultural position, I believe it is necessary to keep awareness of jazz in the public consciousness. School programs, public radio like Denver’s own KUVO (a nationally recognized jazz station) and dedicated club owners like those mentioned in your story work to accomplish that purpose.
Jazz is the truly American art form, the root of all our popular music, and deserves a great deal more support than we seem to be giving it.
Jon Rogers, Aurora
TO THE POINT
Shame on the Colorado Springs schools that refused to allow students to receive free copies of the U.S. Constitution. If public schools are afraid to let students read the Constitution, what our children are being taught these days?
Anthony J. Fabian, Aurora
In real estate, lead paint is an issue in homes built before 1978. Since our government will not take the initiative to protect our children and ourselves from defective toys, clothing, food and other products from China, let us take responsibility and not buy any of them.
Art Ryan, Elizabeth
Michael Vick, guilty of an atrocious sport not totally illegal until 1976, will probably be eliminated from football. Lawrence Taylor, addicted to drugs and prostitutes, was elected to the Hall of Fame. And we wonder why we have a drug problem.
J. Michael Hoppe, Sterling
It would be wonderful if The Denver Post could be on the forefront of the environmental movement by using biodegradable bags for the paper. Many subscribers use these bags to dispose of pets’ waste, so it would be a double benefit.
Monica O’Brien Wolfe, Lakewood
Does anyone believe the September report on Iraq, with a few minor exceptions, will not be anything but “rosy” again? If so, yes, I have that “bridge” to sell you.
Robert C. Lyster, Centennial
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