To the Editor:

In the past weeks I have been writing a series of articles for the Federal Way News regarding the state of education in this state using my background of more than 10 years experience with the school boards here, the state boards, and my experiences in classrooms here.

Perhaps a little background beyond that may be helpful.

I have been a classroom teacher in Pennsylvania and New York and a district wide administrator in both states as well.

There have been comments both in writing and by phone to the "News" office that have been less than complimentary by some.

Some have refused to identify themselves, and others have identified themselves, but not the organizations that they represent.

Some of these messages have been more of a personal nature than addressing the content of my articles.

There hasn't been, I don't believe, any dispute over the facts I have presented.

Recently the school board has revised its policy on public comment to reduce the "input" from the public to also attempt to squelch any external input.

Is there an elephant in the room? I think so.

I tend to walk the Mall five days a week, and there I get favorable comments from many.

I try to do my homework when it comes to education.

I read educational articles from two of the better digests on this topic every day, and receive the best known weekly journal on American education and at least a half a dozen other periodicals. I know of no one else in Federal Way who does this.

From my readings and personal experiences I try to make my observations.

Are they designed to belittle our school district just for controversy? I don't think so.

My goal has always been to attempt to put Federal Way on the "radar screen" for its excellence in education in the hopes that more kids will be better prepared for a better life, and the area will attract employers who pay living wages.

I believe to do this one has to look at the areas where an improvement is needed and focus on processes that will make a difference.

Many have heard me say, "You can get an excellent education in Federal Way."

I always then add "I didn't say, 'you will get an excellent education in Federal Way.'"

In the 12+ years that I have been involved in education in Federal Way there have been some very excellent programs started; International Baccalaureate, Public Academy, Cambridge, JROTC, Aviation Academy, Auto program at Decatur, AVID and K-8 schools to name a few.

However, a very large portion of our students are still not enrolled in these challenging programs, and are receiving what I have referred to as a "vanilla" education, which probably will not make them competitive in their futures with those who have elected to challenge themselves for one of the more "flavorful" programs.

As the President of UW stated, "training to be car wash attendants."

When our schools are compared to those of districts that have national reputation, they don't get mentioned.

I am hoping that by calling this to our readers' attention, we can change this. People have asked me about when I would be offering some suggestions. In some of the articles there have been a few.

My plan is to get to some more specific suggestions upon finishing the "food chain" of those who may have some influence upon education in this state.

I may not be right about all of this. I would be happy if we could find a "Pro-Con" writer who would offer opposing views to my observations.

There might be some other great ideas out there!

Charles Hoff

Federal Way