EducaTE

                                                                                                                                 
I believe the continuing failure of education in America has to                                                                   
rest squarely on the shoulders of parents, children, teachers and                                                                 
the educational system in our country.  All are guilty for every                                                                  
child that does not learn.  The sooner this is admitted, the                                                                      
sooner our children, and our country will benefit.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                  
It is not a mystery what is wrong, too many young children do not                                                                 
learn the basics, reading & writing, in the early grades.  They                                                                   
continue on to the next grade, lacking the ability to do even                                                                     
more difficult work.  The system continues to move them 'forward'                                                                 
until these children 'graduate', and are no longer the responsibility                                                             
of the school.  Is it any wonder we have so many children failing?                                                                
We would not attempt to put up a new building without a foundation,                                                               
but think little of how fragile a 'foundation' we provide young                                                                   
children.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
Two areas that come to my mind are:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                  
1. Desire:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                  
         Parents must be involved with the education of their children.                                                           
                                                                                                                                  
         Children must want to go to school for an education.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                  
         Teachers must demand their students learn, not just pass.                                                                
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
2. Priorities:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                  
         When the public begins to place the value of their educators                                                             
         as high as other public officials (police, fire, sanitation)                                                             
         we will begin to see an improvement in the people entering                                                               
         education.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                  
         When parents take as much interest in how their children are                                                             
         doing in school as they do in THEIR own careers, and less-                                                               
         important activities (sports, TV, movies) we will begin to                                                               
         see an improvement in the education of their children.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                  
         When more children take education as serious as they do                                                                  
         social activities they will learn what is needed to be                                                                   
         successful after graduating.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                  
         When the education industry begins to ensure our children                                                                
         are prepared to enter work force with the education they                                                                 
         need to excel in any career they pursue, then we will see                                                                
         an improvement in the education our children get.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                  
One final note.  Since the Business Roundtable is comprised of                                                                    
200 business executives it might be beneficial to focus on what                                                                   
made these individuals successful.  I am concerned that all the                                                                   
government "tinkering" that has been going on, such as new                                                                        
'creative', programs, re-writing history, minimizing test scores                                                                  
for certain groups have only worsened the problem our children face.                                                              
                                                                                                                                  
Much success with the efforts of Mr. Akers and the College Board.  I                                                              
hope that IBMers are kept up-to-date on this worthwhile enterprise.                                                               
                                                                                                                                  
                                                  Sincerely,                                                                      
                                                        Anthony Bruno