Academic Tracking

Navarrette wants lawn mower education in classrooms. In the name of equality, cut all students’ education down to a standard size irrespective of individual capabilities.

He does not understand that the best and brightest will be the innovators and movers of tomorrow. Their education must not be compromised because of a misguided vision of democracy.

Besides the best education possible for intellectually gifted students, it is necessary to improve education for students with lesser capability. We need them to be able to support the programs designed by the elite.

Rather than eliminating tracking, we need more and better tracking. We need to make sure that mistaken track assignments are corrected. Late bloomers must be given the means to catch up and jump tracks. Life is competitive. Why should school be different?

WILLIAM BUCHMAN

Los Angeles