New teaching programs need reliable funding
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Re “A Kansas School Model Catches L.A.’s Eye,” May 20
As a teacher and union leader with 37 years’ experience, I too, like science teacher Craig Sipes, am leery of “flavor of the month” reforms pushed from the top down. You must involve teachers in the decision-making process if a program is to work. The Los Angeles Unified School District has done this, and that is why the teachers at Washington Preparatory High School are willing to restructure.
However, three words make all reforms suspect: “start-up grant.” What happens when the money is gone and the district doesn’t have the funds to continue? It is the frustration of seeing this happen over and over again that makes teachers reluctant to do the hard work associated with change. They may have confidence in the program but not in the funding.
JERRY MORRIS
Ventura
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