Editorial: We must do better than this

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 10:13 a.m.

It's understandable that parents and others, who are concerned about what they view as the declining quality of public education, are willing to try almost anything to improve the level of instruction. Some even advocate tax-supported school vouchers, but this radical departure ultimately would destroy public schools, creating educational haves and have-nots.

Vouchers have met a chilly reception in Nevada, but other dramatic changes are being considered. For instance, the Clark County School District is contemplating hiring Edison Schools, the nation's largest public school management company, to run some at-risk schools. A key stumbling block, though, could be money. Right now the school district receives about $5,000 per pupil from the state and federal government, but it costs Edison Schools about $6,500 per student to educate a child. Since the company would expect to receive this government money in order to operate the schools, Edison Schools claims the low amount effectively would prevent the private firm from coming here since it wouldn't be financially feasible to do so. The low per-pupil funding also provides another insight: The Legislature probably isn't setting aside enough money to support public education.

The bottom line is that while a limited number of students may be helped by Edison Schools -- and even then it should be recognized that Edison Schools hasn't turned around all of the schools it manages -- it certainly doesn't address what happens to the rest of the children in the Las Vegas Valley. What the Clark County School District should continue to focus on, and what the Nevada Legislature should do as well, is ensure that all students are receiving a quality education, which includes enough funding so that students have the proper materials, such as up-to-date textbooks.

This isn't all about money, though. If there are teaching methods that successful schools are employing -- whether they're public or private -- then those should be incorporated into all of our local public schools. Teaching the basics and getting children to think critically, rather than focusing on teaching children how to take state-mandated standardized tests, should head the list. Expectations for children also should be raised dramatically. Schools shouldn't expect the worst from their students, they should demand the best. That also means parents need to be more involved, cutting back on television time so that their children are doing their homework. All students in this valley deserve a quality education -- it's time for legislators and the school district to help make it happen.