PRINCE WILLIAM FORUM
Why ask whether Prince William County residents would pay a higher tax if the money went directly to schools? They voted down the "car tax," of which a substantial portion goes to schools. It seems that the majority in this county are more concerned with their short-term financial well-being than with the long-term well-being of our children.</br></br>Throwing money at the schools isn't going to solve any problems, anyway. The ineffectiveness of schools has very little to do with funding; the problem is that the entire setup is heavily flawed. Children are not evolutionarily prepared for sitting long hours in desks while teachers try to impart knowledge upon them. What they mostly learn is how to give the teacher what s/he wants in order to make the grade.</br></br>If, as so many experts say, children's education hinges on parental involvement, then the county should focus on encouraging that. The ultimate example of parental involvement in education is home schooling, which is proven to be highly effective for children with a wide variety of needs, interests and abilities.</br></br>We should stop throwing money at the education problem and encourage greater parental involvement. SHIRLEE SEABORNE Woodbridge</br></br>In a 1997 Washington Post survey, some 62 percent of all Prince William County residents said they would vote for a meals tax if the funds were dedicated to education.