Time To Think Of Students

Editor, The News '.'ff 7 ' The Bautista af f air is over, and it would seem that not only the Ann Arbor School System was "taken" but also that system in Philadelphia. We've had our scandal, and now we should start thinking of the young people the schools are meant to edúcate. I know very little about Supt. McPherson. I have thought his pronouncements on the radio and in The Ann Arbor News sounded dictatorial. However, I do feel his article on Education Day has much good in it - "improving our performance in teaching basic skills to ALL students will take highest priority next year." I feel, as long as even one student is graduated from our schools without being able to read well enough to do a job involving the simplest reading, omschools are failing. And our schools ARE graduating young people like that. My three childreh were graduated from Ann Arbor schools - one in 1960, one in 1963 and the last one in 1971. They've all gone on to college and have been successful there, so I have no personal stake in the schools. I am interested in all young people, however, and I spend a few hours each week doing some volunteer work at one of the local high schools. I find the young people interesting and basically no different from when I attended Ann Arbor schools "way back when." Many of them. smile and say "Hi," to me in thé halls, evenl though they don't know me. Wheneverl I've asked a question I've found theml courteous and helpful. If only a greatl many people could overlook the long I hair and rather sloppy dress, they'd feel better, and the young people would respond. Ben Franklin wore his hair long! Enough of this - But, please let's help all voung people get a basic education.