editorially /peaking Excellence in Teaching: A Student Perspective Apprehension over t h e current level of excellence i n teaching was the subject of last month's editorial. For the most p a r t t h e concerns discussed were those expressed by teachers, iensitive administrators, a n d interested, sympathetic observers. Several days after last month's issue of t h e JOURNAL went to press, the following letter arrived from a group of high school students. T h e s e students, who attended t h e 28th a n nual High School Science S t u d e n t Institute, have been described a s "bright, enthusiastic, a n d full of energy." Their letter provides a n insight into t h e d e p t h of their concern for their future and, indirectly, for our collective future. H.S.S.S.I. Mason Hall Indiana University Rloomington, IN 47406 duly 19,1983 The President of the United States of America Rnnlld Reagan . . ".~~ The White Hause 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: As participants of the 1983 Indiana University High School Science Student Institute, we are part nf a twenty-eight year tradition. We were chosen to attend this program through a competitive selection process. Rarely will you find an assemblage of potential academic leaders that represent such a variety of states. Although we have come from different backgrounds, we share a a m m o n concern for the education system of the United States. We feel that the welfare of our country depends upon the education of our people. In an effort to improve the system ofeducation in the United States, we feel that one of the country's first goals should be to increase the prestige of the teaching profession. Perhaps this goal could he fulfilled by upgrading the school of education degree qualifications and increasing the monetary benefits which are available to worthy teachers in all areas of education. In addition, we believe that encouraging industry to become in^ volved in the education of their future employees is an essential step in the advancement of primary and secondary education. We feel that improvements are necessary because, throughout our education, we have experienced many injustices. A member of this institute was "taught" physics by a teacher who majored in physical education. We have all seen special academic programs disappear from our schoolsystems as the athletic programs continued to thrive. The fundine for manv educational summer ororrams, such as this one,
systems, we feel that there is a need for betterment in most schools across the country. As voting Americans in the upcoming 1984 elections and the future leaders oi'the United States, we feel the responsibility to act upon ~roblemsthat we see in today's world. We would like to become a c ~ t i d y invnlved in a nationwide movement aimed at improving the education nf America's youth. We hope that our suggestions are considered, and we are willing to assist in any endeavors to further the progress of' education in America. S~ncrr~iy, (signed) J a n e t Aeimovich, IN Vaughn K. Alliton, MI Stuart M. Altman, NY Peter G. Alyea, IN Ana T. Bedard, FL Diane L. Bloom, NY Madeleine A. Boyer, TX Maxwell J. Brothers, IN Elizabeth A. Rrown, IN Lowell E. Burton, IN Tameiea S. Cardwell, MI Erin C. Davis, IL Jodi A. DeSantis, NY Beth R. Erlich, F L Daniel H. Farkas, F L Jennifer L. Fisher, FL Mony R. Ghaso, IN Jeffrey R. Goldstein, NY Douglas S. Gorman, OH Holly E. Hake, WV Edward R. Harper, Jr., WA James E. Harten, PA Jose L. Iglesias, TX Christopher M. Johnson, IN Cathy Kim, NY Daniel R. Lance, KY Millicent T. Lawton, CA Lesley, Lee, IL
Herbert A. Marble, I L Lea Ann Marlaw, IN Robert I,. Mead, IN Amy Lynn Millard, F L Kevin Mark Millea, MA Debra Ann Miniarez. TX Howard Ross P ~ SNY . - ~~~-~~~~~~~ Linda Peng, NY Glenn A. Perry, M I Michael B. Piansky, NY Rodney K. Porter, NE J a n e Ann Riedford, IN Michael J. Robb. IN Dorena L. Rodriguez, CA Michael E. Rosenhurg, N J Dwayne H. Spradlin, IN Susan R. Stein, AZ Patricia L. Tavormina, IN Anne A. Tseng, IN Katherine A. Vicrkorn, OH Leatha M. Webb, I N Winston G. West, Jr., F L Kristin D. Wheeler, IN Seth Andrew White, IN Shannon M. Williams, IN Stoven F. Wolfe, NY J. Christopher York, I N Walter Cory, Director ~~~
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Essentially every group with a legitimate interest has expressed dissatisfaction with t h e present level of excellence extant in t h e process of secondary school education. T h e sparks of discontent are falling from every direction. Can they h e funneled into a more-or-less organized configuration for constructive change? Maybe we need more individual sparks, a hit more tinder, a prevailing hreeze, o r perhaps some hightest fuel t o keep t h e flame from dying. W h a t will you d o t o help improve t h e quality of high school science education?
JJL
Volume 6 0
Number 1 0
October 1963
783
