Wilson’s Call for Schools’ Self-Rule

If our school system is a successful one, the teachers’ union probably has grounds to oppose Gov. Wilson’s charter school concept. However, when our high schools are graduating a sizable number of students who can barely read or add, it should be clear that whatever school system we have is no longer acceptable.

Perhaps instead of funding based on attendance, we should change the financing formula based on improving SAT scores and/or the percentage of graduates admitted to colleges. Certainly, no other enterprise would be judged solely on the number of items produced and not the quality of its final product.

It is not lack of funding which is sinking our schools, but rather the maldistribution of available funds. To make our system work, we must redirect our focus on those who are more likely to benefit from a public education instead of those whose chances for success are marginal at best. Yes, those disabled should get their share of attention but not at the expense of our “average” students.

JOHN T. CHIU

Corona del Mar