In her recent letter, Hilary Emmer said that math teachers on Vashon are not inspiring the students and that we have a “teacher problem.” I have not experienced this as a parent of a middle school child, but I have to admit that I don’t know enough about our math program in general to say if this is true or not. However, I found it ironic that Ms. Emmer’s statement were not backed up by any examples or facts, given that mathematics is a language based on logic and proofs.

There have been discussions about the inadequacies of the U.S. education system and periodic attempts at reform for at least the past 40 years. In China, test scores are printed in local papers and the best students are given the prestige that we give to athletes. Germany has a two-track system where students who do better in school are directed toward college and those who do not do as well receive apprenticeships in the trades.

In this country we have focused on teachers and schools, while neglecting our overall societal attitude and the responsibility of parents and students. Until we change this, no effort at educational reform will be successful.

— Henry Perrin