Letters to the Editor

Letter: Education boosts democracy

Regarding Steve Haycox's question (June 27) about the goal of public education: In my mind, the role of public education is to insure the vibrancy of our democracy. We educate our youths so that they can meaningfully participate in our democracy.

For some, that will mean reading or finding other ways to be informed about issues; for others it will mean learning to think critically and independently; for others, perhaps, being part of a functional and productive community through the workplace.

Obviously, with the low rates of voter turnout for elections, and a remarkably dysfunctional U.S. Congress, the goal of public education has not been met. Personally, I'm not sure it has much to do with standardized testing.

— Jeanne F. Smith

Anchorage

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