DEAR EDITOR:
According to Lyndon Furst, professor of education administration at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., compulsory school attendance may keep students coming to class, but it has little education value for most teenagers.
Furst made his comments in a recent issue of the educational journal, PHI DELTA KAPPA.
“… compulsory schooling may be the goal of less developed societies, but it has outlived its usefulness in the United States,” Furst wrote. “The basic problem is that in America we have too much school and not enough education.”
Actually, Furst’s statements concerned mainly secondary education. I feel, however, that their application can be seen dramatically at the college level, also.
Although the board and the administration may be imposing the new compulsory class attendance requirements at Texarkana College next spring with good intentions, I do not believe it is the answer to the problem — if, indeed, a problem does exist.
Scott McElhaney
Box 838
Hooks, Tex.
547-2228
75561