How refreshing to hear a new idea on improving our public-education system (Matt Phelps, Oct. 29, My Turn)! I like his idea of utilizing children’s early learning years (ages 3-5) and getting them all off to a good start. I also like his idea of having the high-schoolers finish up with internships — I think we need more real-life experience for our kids. Something Phelps hinted at but didn’t directly say, I’d like to see more skills training in high schools for the kids that aren’t going on to college. Phelps says this wouldn’t be an easy fix or a cheap one, but it seems to me it’s very doable if we can just get some open minds in the powers that be.

Julia Craig, Bothell