LA Times

Letters to the editor
Conversation on education needed
Re "School plan comes amid fiscal crisis

November 23, 2007

The article gives a negative perspective about the pros- pects for improving the state's education system. Yes, revenues will be tight, but that also provides an opportunity for an open dialogue about what must be done to improve outcomes for children without the prospect of a feeding frenzy about how new dollars will be spent.

This next year should be used to put into place a solid framework for change, one that will guide how dollars must be spent and what changes must be made to education policies. The governor's committee will apparently offer many thoughtful suggestions, which should be thoroughly debated in the course of seeing what fixes need to be made, not simply cast aside. Low- or no-cost items such as the creation of an information system to assist educators and provide accountability information and the consolidation of programs can be enacted in 2008.

Unless policymakers enact comprehensive reforms, the future is bleak. Losing another year when action can be taken would be irresponsible.

Christopher T. Cross