EDUCATION: Tie it to good jobs

The opinions on education miss important facts.

When my grandson couldn’t sign his name for a driver’s license, I was appalled. But, the clerk informed me it was normal, as the schools stopped teaching cursive handwriting.

It was decided being able to sign checks, contracts, or read handwriting isn’t necessary to prepare for the job market or future.

While they get courses on gay history and politics with a liberal only agenda, we wonder why they can’t read or write. With finger pointing going to legislators, teachers and taxpayers, we overlook who dictates a curriculum that shortchanges our children.

After military retirement, I went to a local college for more skills. Students were told they could receive extra credits for their part-time jobs as life experiences, flipping burgers or other work were good for the credits. When I asked about the service and factory schools I attended, I was told they wouldn’t be acceptable.

Since some of the schooling I received was at USC Sonoma, I could compare quality of courses, and for all the superior attitude, the quality of courses didn’t come close to the schools I ATTENDED before North Idaho College.

Plain and simple, we need people to set curriculum that prepare the children to compete in the job market, and raising pay, more union power and blaming the teachers for following the written directives hasn’t worked. The ones getting the big bucks and setting guidelines for failure need to be held accountable, or replaced by people who know what employers are looking for.

RAY L. FINK

Santa