Reexamine goals for public education
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In the course of the debate surrounding the economic woes of public education ["Teacher layoffs loom," News, May 24], an important question has been overlooked: What is a sound, basic education and who should pay for it?
School boards across the Island are considering shortening the school day and cutting programs, including kindergarten, special education, advanced placement and foreign language classes, music, the arts, and clubs. Transportation and sports are always first on the chopping block. If these items are not part of a sound, basic education, why are they included in the first place?
What does our society envision as the purpose of public education? What knowledge and values do we want our high school graduates to possess? Every district's vision statement describes a system that provides students with the skills, knowledge and values to become successful, responsible, productive citizens. What role does the school district play in accomplishing this goal?
A sound, basic education should include academics, the arts, languages and extracurricular opportunities for all students delivered through rigorous, differentiated instruction. Quality extracurricular activities are not superfluous; they are necessary, hands-on instructional programs delivered by highly qualified teachers outside the classroom setting. Robotics, for example, nurtures math, science and technology learning. Athletics and extracurricular programs build confidence, leadership, character and community. It should be noted that a "pay-to-play" policy would deny underprivileged students this component of the educational program.
When we debate who should pay for public education, why should we look to the parents, when an educated society benefits us all? Public education is an investment in our future. We must craft a basic program that meets the needs of all learners and is sustainable for all taxpayers -- the new homeowner, parent or senior citizen.
Claire Mangelli, Miller Place
Editor's note: The writer is a former member of the Miller Place school board.
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