Letter: Peterson’s criticism shows ills of education

Thursday, June 26, 1997 | 11:48 a.m.

Smarting from criticism of her handling of public schools in Nevada, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mary Peterson struck back against Board of Education member Bill Hanlon in a Las Vegas SUN "Guest Opinion" on June 19.

In what can best be described as defensive, Peterson attempted to "set the record straight." In her diatribe, she exhibited all the signs commonly attributed to alcoholics and drug addicts who refuse to admit they have a problem. She chides Hanlon -- whose insights regarding the sad state of public education have been a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere of bureaucratic double-speak and union-mouthed excuses -- as being "demoralizing, inappropriate and counterproductive."

No, the poor state of Peterson's public education system is what is demoralizing, inappropriate and counterproductive.

The first step on the road to recovery for an alcoholic is recognition that a problem exists. The same can be said for public education. Peterson is still in denial. She asks if Hanlon's president, outspoken criticism of the current state of affairs is "an effective way to improve education." In a word: yes. People must be made aware of the problem before they can deal with it effectively.

Keep up the good work, Bill.

Charles A. Muth