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Show 1 0PINION "Wtart dedicated lo the public Interest, to fairness and accuracy, lo innovation and growth, and lo the resdess pursuit of excellence." Pulitzer mission statement Of EDITOR: DONALD W. MEYERS r.'iY IN Makeshift repairs woriVwotirfor schools anymore two cnrrfsvj I I employable for most positions. WASHINGTON Is the education system in America working? Not if you look at student test scores. In fact in 1998, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that American high school seniors scored almost last among the 21 countries that participated in the international exam in math and science. The education problem resembles a math problem that has numerous possible solutions. There is one fundamental principle, however, that should be a part of any reform proposal: accountability. Whether the reform takes the form of charter Donald W.Meyers Leavitt appeals to Democrats with gun ideas SALT LAKE CITY schools, vouchers or even Mike Leavitt may need to make a major change in his life. , Leavitt should seriously think about joining the Democratic Party, since it seems to be the only group that is willing to publicly support his plan for keeping guns out of schools. " Leavitt has pushed for more than a concealed-carrto Utah's peryear get mit laws amended to keep permit holders from packing heat in schools and churches. The present law now permit holders says concealed-carrcan bring their guns almost anywhere, although churches, businesses and homeowners can post their places as zones. Most people would think that in a Republican bastion, all the governor would have to do to change is just say the word and it would be done. Not so in Utah. Leavitt's own party has pretty much told him where to stick such ideas. Last year, Republican lawmakers refused to go along with a special session to deal with gun issues in the wake of the Triad Center and Family History Center shootings. Leavitt was .even booed at the State Republican Convention when he sug-- ! gested that Republicans needed to be the party that recognized "The reality of gun control." Instead, he's confronted with the arguments that such laws would infringe the rights of gun owners who don't cause problems. So far, it seems the Democrats are the only ones who join Leavitt in recognizing the need for modest gun con-- ! trol. Democrats are planning to intro duce a bill that would bar guns from schools except for police officers and concealed-carrpermit holders who have a legitimate reason for carrying a gun, such as they're being stalked or they have had death threats made against them. The law addresses the issue of allowing those with a need to bring a gun in, while minimizing the dangers guns in schools can pose. Could it prevent a Columbine slaying? Hard to say, but if one were to break out, it would minimize the chances of a teacher killing a student in the crossfire, being gunned down in a preemptive strike or getting their pants sued off for shooting one of the little monsters (and you know some lawyer would file the suit). Granted, with a solid Republican majority in the Legislature, and leading Republicans' comments about not infringing on personal liberties, the bills have no chance, but supporters say theyll take it to the voters if the Legislature won't pass it. And polls are showing a large number of Utahns support the idea of keeping guns out of schools and churches, suggesting that a ballot initiative has a chance. And those voters may remember who stood where on the issue, from the governor on down to the Legislature, and may vote accordingly. . Gov. class-siz- e reductions, teachers and administrators should be held responsible for improving the quality of education. , LET'S FOR a moment define the education of America's children as our nation's primary business venture. In this analogy, imagine our 50 state governors as a board of y . Snow doesn't represent parents in north Orem no-car- ! i i. ! w HBMPf) eNGiNeetw OUKfSPCumt-'- KWN&rrrvrX I twM$h-- . g in that area. 2. The school superintendent and board members were inundated-witletters and phone calls from local residents urging the construction of a new school. Initially they were reluctant, but finally acceded to public demand. It was precisely because the superintendent and the Board listened, that a new school was built. 3. Then the residents became active in supporting the bond election, which was passed by 60 percent of the voters of the Alpine School District. Subsequently we have seen the wisdom of that decision by the superintendent, the Board, and the public. Development is well underway in the vicinity of the school. Within a year or two the school will be filled to capacity. Representative Snow is clearly out of touch with his own constituents. He should talk with those of us who live in that area instead of pretend-- ' ing to represent us with inaccurate statements. Richard Davis , Orem j ' y, SJ d research organization that studies and comments on vital public policy issues. . v mttt W I Gun buzz rooted in ignorance We have heard the State of the State message with its response and comments from supporters. There was much talk of "common sense." Politicians like buzz words and phrases, usually with emotional rather than logical background. I don't know what "common sense" is. All I know is that when people dis- agree with me, they have it and I don't. But let's consider one of these "common sense" issues.-Therare numerous proposals before the legis- lature for the "control" of guns. One j of them is to prohibit the carrying of a concealed weapon by a licensed carrier into a school or church. Obviously, we do not want more killing by students or anyone else, in school or elsewhere. There is the source of the emotion. e Now, where is the logic? I have never heard of a killing in a school (or anywhere else) by a licensed gun carrier in the state. What is logical about and innoattacking the cent citizen? What would be accomplished toward keeping students from using guns in or out of school by prohibition against licensed innocent armed citizens? Would this keep any student from carrying a weapon into a school? So, what does my "common sense" tell me? Attack the problem, not the legal-abidin- g non-proble- What is the problem? Students who are disturbed so badly that they want revenge for supposed injury. Do something about the person who might be a danger, not those who have a history of being no danger whatsoever Now, what is the real reason for attacking the licensed gun carrier? Plain and simple ignorance! We don't know how to solve the real problem, but something must be done. So we will attack the and that will make us feel good because non-proble- m "we have done something." Now, there is another argument here. Why does anyone need to take a gun into a school? Security guards and have. As for may need them other innocent citizens, because he has a need for it out of the school, and no provision is even considered to solve his problem, what should he do with his gun when he enters the school? Why not "just take it with him while he minds his own business? Face the facts. Is your aim based on emotion and frustration, or on real logic and justification? v. Robert W. English Salt Lake City 1 J 1112 DAILY IfZOALD LETTEuG POLICY The Daily Herald welcomes your ' betters to the editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and phone number where you can be reached. Only your name and the city in which you live will be published. All other information will be kept confidential. . y Nobel-winnin- g J Lisa Morrow is an intern in the Washington office of the National Center for Policy Analysis, a Dallas-base- h I houhng urnueKs lw&ZM&rraer hK-t- i y p following facts: 1. Two years ago the public was clamoring at Alpine School Board meetings for a new elementary school CttftOUKStiXK I . INSTEAD OF holding our stu- - . dents accountable for achievement, many schools are socially promoting children who have failed to master , even the most basic of skills. This practice is a disservice to the students in the long run, as its forces children to spend the rest of their to an internalives playing catch-utional array of competitors who have the basic skills today's employers are seeking. Viciously, this cycle will repeat itself from one generation to the next unless changes are made. J Anonymous letters will be discarded. Letters that are typed, double spaced and contain 250 or fewer words are more likely to be published. Your letter will be better read if it concerns one central theme or idea. All letters will be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. By HAVB s felt the same about math skills. The authors of Coopers & Lybrand's "Trendsetter" survey of hiring conditions state; "A shortage of capable workers is by far the number one problem facing business owners today." Furthermore, the Information Technology Association of America reported in 1997 that the shortage of capable workers, especially in information technologies is "expected to scale back company growth, increase outsourcing of information-technologwork to companies overseas." Gary Becker, a economist from the University of Chicago, notes that modern technolo Two-third- the demand for math and reading skills. The role of schools should be to make an adjustment to that so that more young people would have the type of skills that are being demanded," Becker contends. gies have raised million to accommodate a school we Doonesbury fI AOMV $OFTRmX5Z- - d didn't want." I do not know who Snow thinks he represents, but he does not represent the many parents in northeast Orem who aredelighted we have a new elementary school for our children and many others who will soon move into our community. Public approval for the school is clearly evidenced by the Opinwrn Page Editor Donald W. Meyers' column appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. He can be reached at 344-- ! 2544 or via at dmeyerher-- ! aldextra.com THAT I! Unfortunately, those skill needs are not currently being met. A 1998 survey by Public Agenda, a New York-basenonprofit research firm, noted that four out of five employers and professors assessed recent high school graduates as "poor" or "fair" in writing, grammar and spelling. In the Friday issue of the Herald, Representative Marlon Snow was quoted as saying: "AH because of a superintendent who didn't appear to want to listen, we had to spend $3 y ' directors, local governments as shareholders, school administrators as the CEOs, teachers as the employees, student achievement as the "product" and parents as the paying customers. From a business perspective, consumers expect a good product for their money. The shareholders expect results. If the CEO and the employees do not produce results, the consumers will look for the product or service elsewhere. The board of directors will voice their concern to the shareholders, who will then either pull their investments or go looking for a new CEO. Why shouldn't this be the case in public education? While one can argue whether or not standards should be national or locally based, reality teaches us that some basic skills have to be taught. There are certain skills children must acquire to be desirable or even ' Lull uuj TO TIE EDITOR y law-abidin- TUESDAY. JANUARY 25, 2000 THE DAILY HERALD (www.heraldextTt.com) 344-25- By LISA J. MORROW p AG symbol. P.O. Box 717 1555 N. Freedom Blvd. Provo, UT. 84603 Letters may also be faxed or The fax number is The address is: ldeanher-aldextra.co373-548- If you have questions, call Opinions Page Editor Donald W. or Editor Mike Meyers at Patrick at 344-254- 4 344-254- 1. Mallard Fillmore By Bruce Tinsley CmiiqfMniliwM "W" j Garry Trudeau The Herald encourages community discussion of issues in a responsible manner. Please send your letters to: Editor, The Daily Herald try - IK w- eUNK.J O m AFXS8 FALL 19 WfTfTt 00OQ ,1 ,JfiilL cAuze rue -- mm II . 1 I . |