Cutbacks in programs is a betrayal of our student children 5

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--> --> Cutbacks in programs is a betrayal of our student children To cut back on support for educational programs is a betrayal of children and youth; to do so when we waste colossal amounts on militarism and futile dreams of protecting the U. S. from dangers and ills which it has helped to bring about is contemptible. On one specific decision of the Ashland School Board made to comply with the irresponsible decision of the Oregon Legislature to chop educational support, I believe they will compound the harm. That is the decision to eliminate driver education. Driver education in an automobile dominated culture is not safely expendable. Because of the irrational addiction of Americans to private motor vehicles, it is as important in the high school curriculum as the core academic subjects. What are the practical reasons for retaining driver education? It is an inducement against dropping out; a counter influence to use of illegal drugs and alcohol. There is probably an inverse correlation between availability of driver training and rates of injury and death in car accidents, for young people between the ages of 14 and 20 (not to mention the rates for the "other parties" involved in such accidents.) Learning at the wheel, without supervision, can be disastrous in a very radiating fashion. In today's job market, ability to drive may be the primary requirement for getting to the place of work. It's a sad reflection on national and state political leadership that there is a booming demand for people to stand around in airports and elsewhere occupied in a kind of show demonstration, screening bags and people, probably with minimal effectiveness, while men and women who have devoted years to learning and using teaching skills get laid off. Hal Jamison Ashland Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing