Society ‘fails,’ our schools don’t

“EVERY CHILD deserves the opportunity to learn.” I agree with this statement from the Journal’s editorial of Jan. 1. But, whereas the Journal promotes transferring from a “failing” school, I suggest all students deserve the SAME opportunity to learn and no student should have to transfer to a different school to have that opportunity. And what about the ones who, for whatever reason, cannot change schools?

All of our schools should provide the same opportunities, and if they don’t, it is not the school that fails; it is us. Why do we blame a failing school — whatever that is — instead of assuming responsibility as a society?

Let’s face the truth: It is our fault if all of our schools are not providing the opportunity for every child to learn. We have failed our students. If the Public Education Department can’t (en)sure that all public schools be worthy of any student, perhaps the PED should be abolished and let local educators and communities “fix” the schools that don’t fit the department’s assessment of a “good” school.

Every child deserves the same opportunity to learn, and we must give them that opportunity in their local neighborhood school, regardless of the socioeconomic surroundings that seem to be an excuse for not providing that same opportunity to all students. PATRICIA BRANDA Albuquerque