Education must keep up with today's world

To the editor:

Regarding the Speak Out item "Education changes": Issues of religious fervor notwithstanding, the advancement of educational technique as well as the increased length of a standard education have resulted in a more educated populace than ever seen in history. Unfortunately these leaps forward have been chained by poor funding, population explosion and, in some cases, parental apathy.

Compared to 1953, most teachers make far less now and are required to teach twice as many students. In addition, God forbid they scold a child for poor performance or ask a parent to take a more interested, active role in their education.

Perhaps the caller would prefer we all revert to slide rules and slates? When we teach old-fashioned basic science, shall we eliminate concepts of a spherical planet in deference to the flat-earth theory? It is a fact: Education itself must evolve to better prepare minds for today's world, not that of the last century.

MICHAEL PHIPPS

St. Louis