There is a safety net in education, and right now there are big, gaping holes in it. School board members, reeling from the lessons of Littleton, Colo., and beyond, fortunately have within their power the capacity to repair these holes. We know now about the formidable, usually less than positive influence of the media and other forces outside the finest schools. And we now know that the school, no matter how wonderful, cannot do the education job alone.
Educators can patrol the halls and search the students.
But the ultimate safety of our schools and the achievement of our students rest in the hearts and minds of our students and their families. Of course, schools across the nation need high academic standards and must enable students to become competent readers. Yet, the message from Littleton and beyond is also loud and clear. The students who can make bombs can read. It's clear that along with academic achievement, students need the attitudes and behavior of mind and heart that enable them to be productive and successful in school and in life.