“Thoughts on education
The information you provided will be useful as I review my education policies. I have also forwarded a copy to Mr. Gary Hart, the newly appointed Education Secretary. Please be assured your ideas will receive full consideration.
Gray Davis
Governor, State of California
I read Gohar’s eloquent article . . . It is a fantastic piece and I want to quote from it in the weeks ahead. You are right, everyone is weary of empty rhetoric. I’ll do my best but no promises.
Gary Hart
Education Secretary, State of California
I agree that we need the very best teachers. The state universities and college only produce 5,000 teachers per year, and school districts up and down the State need 20,000 teachers. We need to pay better salaries so we can attract the most qualified individuals into teaching.
The state of California ranks 37th in the nation in terms of per pupil expenditure per year. We are $1,000 below the national average—California, $5,600; New York, $9,000; and Alaska, $11,200. It is a shame our priorities are all wrong.
Julie Korenstein
Board Member, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education
In the section [of “My School Deserves Better” November-December 1998] subtitled “Improving the Quality of Teaching,” the author points out that “[most] of today’s brightest teens are not going to become tomorrow’s teachers.” Personally, I am an A-average student and I put lots of work into bettering my education. My mother is a teacher and I, ever since I can remember, have also had the desire to become a teacher.
Throughout my school career, I have had teachers who tell me that although good teachers are needed, I am too intelligent to go into teaching. My 7th grade science teacher said it best when he told me “I don’t understand why you’d want to get pennies for all the stress when you can get millions and be a lot happier.” I have always carried that with me.
Once, I had even considered taking my teacher’s advice. When I thought about it though, I realized he had told me to “do something with my life.” I cannot think of a better way to “do something with my life” than to mold the minds of tomorrow. I hope other bright students will have the same realization that I did and help improve the quality of our schools.
Carrie Murphy, 16, North HS
I read the article “My Year of Ditching Dangerously” from the November-December 1998 issue. The article really made me think. I’m in my first year in high school and I have ditched classes more than once. I now realize that ditching could turn into a more serious problem than I realized. I have decided that ditching is bad and I shouldn’t do it anymore. I feel that ditching is bad but sometimes you just need a break. Your article made me realize how important it is not to ditch often. Thank you for publishing it.
Breanna Fone, 14, Verdugo Hills HS
I enjoyed reading Shengul Bajrami’s article “We Need Good Teachers, Not the Latest Computers.” We already use calculators for simple addition out of our laziness; how much moreso will we use computers for our other school work?
Our focus should be on education, not computers. While computers can be a strong asset to education, they can’t be the foundation. People have already forgotten that there are actually books in the library. Students with a “higher education” should be able to function normally, even if their computer crashes.
Amy Brazier
Gang Busters
The article I really liked was “Leave Gangs Before You Get Shot.” The story about Gilbert Salinas was very real. Every gang member should read this and think twice about whether they really want to ruin their lives. I have a friend. He is a gang member and he also does his work in school. I think that even though he does good in school, he could get shot anytime by these gang members. I think we should talk to our friends who are in gangs and tell them to get out before they learn the lesson the hard way.
Jee Yang
I really enjoy these articles because they send a good message and they impact me in a positive way . . . such as the article “Leave Gangs Before You Get Shot” where it teaches you something valuable with someone else’s mistakes so you don’t have to make the same. I like how it tells you all the consequences and especially all the dangers of being in a gang. Lately I have seen a lot of violent things happening in front of me or just on the TV and they had not given me a message that most people get by seeing these things. People say that I’m strong but it feels like I’m going to just give in. But articles like this help me in ways I may not notice or feel. Thank you very much and keep up the good work because it is helping many.
Payam Ayazi, 14, Verdugo Hills HS
On the November-December edition, my favorite article—the one that touched me the most—was the “Leave Gangs Before You Get Shot” article. Maybe because Gilbert Salinas and Patricia (former gang members) remind me so much of my sister and cousins. Luckily, my sister . . . is able to tell us about her incredible adventures. Sadly, I can’t say the same about my cousin Julio, rest in peace.
These teenagers, as well as many others that have left their bad habits or overcame bad situations, are good examples to the community and society. It’s always good to hear how teenagers change their life around in a positive way.
Maria Estrada, North HS
Sexual Harassment
My favorite article was “Why Is He Doing This To Me?” by Coren Cooper. The way she wrote the article was so realistic, I found myself nodding my head to the statement “Women like this who complain about sexual harassment are softies . . .” I know at times I’ve thought the same thing, that women who file for sexual harassment are too sensitive. But after reading the story, I came to realize that it isn’t always the case. If someone feels uncomfortable with comments made about their person, then they should do something about it. I only wish that I have the same courage as did Coren did if one day I’m faced with the same problem.
Omara Grant, North HS
I think that the girl [“Why Is He Doing This To Me?”] could have said “well, I’ll try to change and see how they treat me after.”
I personally went through a problem with the way I used to dress and talk. I used to wear baggy clothes that were ripped and I didn’t care. But when I started to care, I saw that I was a lazy ass who was unwanted by lots of people.
I changed because my friend helped me to and gave me the support I needed so now I have more friends and dress one way . . . I am who I am and no one can change me no more.
Erik Perez
“Why Is He Doing This To Me?” made me extremely upset. I don’t understand where people can get off thinking that they can say or do whatever they want to another person. It only shows their insecurity that they have to make fun of someone else to make themselves feel better. I know what it feels like to be made fun of something for which you have no control over, and I assure you it’s not a good feeling.
The fact that this teacher did nothing but laugh along is just disgusting. They are there to be a role model for students and when they merely laugh in the face of someone who is being sexually harassed, it is just completely wrong. I would consider that grounds for being fired.
Laughing at someone’s breast size is not only the most cruel thing I’ve heard of, but the most immature and irresponsible thing also. Everyone in this world must learn to respect others for the way they are. Only then can they in return respect you for who you are. If we learned to do this, we would all get along so much easier.
Crystal Henning”