Reader comments
My view: Commit now to build better education system for tomorrow

Teacher Mom | 1:50 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Amen!
Our current education system is broken. Throwing money at our current system is a hopeless endeavor. What we need is great thinkers and initiators to come up with a plan that works gradually.
Something must be done with our current system, or we will be dealing with more serious issues within the next 5-10 years with many of our babyboom generation nearing retirement.
Our country is currently in competition with countries such as India and China. If we do not do something soon, these countries will surpass America in areas such as technology leaving us high and dry. It all starts with education folks!
Why not let Utah lead the country in ingenuity for a change, instead of constantly being known for our low spenditures.

Curt | 4:36 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

It is ironic that Mr. Thomas should forward the cry for better teachers when he oversees an institution that has basically dismantled their own pre-teacher program. He looses all credibility with that nonsense.

REC | 5:40 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Do not count me as one of those voters who expressed confidence in the UEA. I believe they are a significant part of the problem.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 10:56 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Wow! That's a lot of verbiage when he could have simply said "we need more money for education".

Deena | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Well, if you want to make free pre-school available - DON'T make it compulsory. There is no data that shows it helps anyone but children from disadvantaged households. Most children do well with nothing more than plenty of attention from Mom and Dad.

Stewart | 8:39 p.m. Jan. 6, 2008

When the status of university students in science, engineering, and education are considered to be higher than the law school, we will be getting somewhere.

Ralph | 3:20 p.m. Jan. 9, 2008

I am pleased to finally encounter some specific suggestions for changes to improve the quality of education in this country. Moreover, these suggestions come from someone within the education system who has seen the limitations of our current methods.
Having taught engineering at the university level for 15 years and advised undergraduates during that period, I can attest to the fact that until teacher salaries come much closer to that of engineers, few of the most able students will choose the significantly lower-paying career which is often also less respected.

Sheila C. | 4:49 p.m. Jan. 9, 2008

Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for your balanced and pragmatic suggestions about the all-important issue. The quality of our childrens' education is the true measure of the success of our democracy. Right now I would give our democracy a grade of "C".

Signe | 1:02 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008

I agree with Mr. Thomas. But I do feel that we need to re-incorporate the teaching of "living" skills i.e.: Homemaking, General Sewing, Respect, loyalty, committment, how to budget and stay out of debt, in order to help our students become better people and better citizens. Degrees are important, but good citizens are needed and teachers at schools can help.

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