In response to Spokesman-Review article “High Schools’ Modern Challenges,” June 2: Paid staff needing to hand-hold our school-age kids’ social issues is absurd.

This phenomenon is an American reality. Foreign education settings have no “social” counselors, and U.S. public schools now rank No. 38. U.S. Advanced Placement (AP) classes expect mastery of materials. In U.S. public schools, virtually no one fails a class. Foreign students now take a large percentage of our university seats once won by U.S. students.

Remediation is essential for an ever-growing percentage of American students. Our students are not being adequately prepared by high school teachers, thus making ever-growing alternative education settings essential.

Ten years ago, the excuse was uninvolved parents. Therefore, 1. Hold teachers and superintendents accountable for all students learning to mastery. 2. Install TV monitors in classrooms to watch and hear proselytizing teachers.

Kids will rise to the realization that school is the place to prepare for life - not an over-socialized mess.

Ron Deady

Post Falls