To the editor:

I began teaching in 1982. It was in the early 1990s when I first started hearing politicians and interest groups claim that our public schools were “failing.” They would say that too many fourth graders were not reading at grade level, that eighth graders were not proficient in math, and that the United States was falling behind the rest of the world. The message was clear: the sky is falling.

More than 35 years later, we are still hearing the same claims.

It is concerning that some of our own legislators continue to describe public education in these terms. Those of us who work in classrooms every day see something very different from the picture often painted in political debate.

What I have observed over the last four decades tells a very different story. Our students continue to be successful, contributing members of society. Many have graduated from universities across the nation, often with honors. Others have completed trade programs, opened businesses, or entered the workforce with valuable skills. Some have joined the military and served our country with honor.

They did not succeed “in spite of” their public education.

They succeeded in large part because of it.

Many of these former students have returned to Great Bend. They are raising families, running businesses, working in health care, agriculture, education, and industry. They help make our community strong.

The public education sky is not falling as many legislators continue to claim. Students in USD 428 — and across Kansas — are receiving a quality, challenging education from dedicated professionals who care deeply about their success.

Our public schools are one of the greatest strengths of our community. They have earned our support, our trust, and our pride.

Gary Pinkall

Great Bend