Use energy for good
To the Eden Prairie kids who walked out, you clearly have too much free time on your hands to get into this kind of mischief ("Handful of students defies officials," Jan. 11). Instead, try sharing your abilities with service groups and charities who could use your passion and conviction. Use your apparent energy to make the world a better place. Kudos to the kids everywhere who show determined self-control in the face of peer pressure. It's more than hard, but keep on. It will pay off for you.
SONYA CALEF
NEW HOPE
Invest now for later
Education Week's "Quality Counts" report ranking Minnesota 39th out of the 50 states for teacher professional-development training standards bodes ill for Minnesota's future workers and employers ("State gets D+ for aid to teachers," Jan. 10). In today's economy, any industry that is intent on competing at the world-class level understands the need to invest in staff training to keep them current on industry trends and best practices, as well as broaden their skill sets. These companies look at the costs of training in terms of time and money as true investments in their ability to successfully compete now and in the future.
Our children are the workforce of tomorrow. There is a trickle-down effect when continuous improvement is not supported nor advocated for the people who are expected to prepare that workforce of tomorrow. If legislators and school administrators do not see the value of funding such training, perhaps that leadership will come from Education Minnesota -- the teachers themselves.
BETTY ZISKOVSKY
SHOREVIEW
Go after employers
With regards to illegal immigration, follow the money. If it is a crime to employ [illegal immigrants] and there are serious consequences for doing so, the problem should correct itself. These employers of illegal immigrants are talking away American jobs. Let's shift the blame ... to those that support the illegal immigrants, their employers. If a worker is undocumented, you assume risk when you employ them. Some of our products and services may increase in price, but the problem will be solved without a lot of government involvement and processing, thereby saving taxpayer dollars.
