Letter: Our neglect of education is ingrained

Friday, May 23, 2003 | 10:14 a.m.

We as citizens continue to elect representatives who believe we should wait until our children are 18 years of age before they receive their per capita educational spending -- and then only when it comes out of our prison budget. This has been the philosophy in Nevada for many years. Our history has caught up with us, though, in the form of population growth. Not many of my friends, neighbors or co-workers feel that prison needs to be where we spend our educational dollars.

For years the casino industry has defined the standard of education, much like other industry establishes it in other parts of the country. However, historically, we did not need a high school diploma to deal cards, and probably still don't. The standard is a little different in Midland, Mich., for example, where the national headquarters for DOW Chemical is located. Midland has the highest per capita Ph.D.s in the country and it shows in their local educational standards.

However, the question continues to be the same one Ben Franklin raised when our country was in its infancy: How can we ensure our citizenry is well educated? His question is based in the premise that education is truly the way to avoid a lot of problems in adult life, and the educated know this. So why does Nevada continue to lag so far behind? Our history. The attitude that education is not important to survival and that a life of all the ills described in "Children Left Behind" is an acceptable one.

It has been the attitude here since statehood and that attitude is what needs to be eliminated. It is ingrained in our culture, our Legislature, our industry, and to be honest with you, it is actually fighting to keep its position. I view your series as a step toward changing those attitudes and I pray the Sun continues to press these issues.

BRYAN LINK

Editor's note: The writer is a social worker in the state's Division of Child and Family Services.