Date:  Sat, 13 Jan 1996 12:05:20 -0500

From:  Ronald Butters <amspeech[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ACPUB.DUKE.EDU>

Subject: Re: The reason kids miswrite ITS'



On Sat, 13 Jan 1996, Kevin A. wrote:



> I'd say the kids get it from a poor educational system and an inability on

> our part to empart palatable language skills to the next generation.

>

When you say "a poor educational system" what are your standards?

Compared to some Platonic ideal, the American educational system

obviously leaves a lot to be desired--particularly in terms of what the

kids' teachers get paid in relation to the hours they put in, the

difficulties many of them face, and the bashing they and their efforts

continually get from the public large. On the other hand, there as never

been an educational system in the history of the human race that set as

its task the education of such a high proportion of its citizens--and

succeeded as well as it has, GIVEN ITS GOALS and GIVEN THE MEAGER

RESOURCES that society has been willing to devote to the schools--and,

more importantly, on the social services that support the socioeconomic

structure from which so many students emerge. You get what you pay for.

Cheapskate education produces second-rate students, just as a cheapskate

welfare system has produced a huge underprivileged mass of students who

don't do very well in school or anywhere else in this society.