What skills do our students really need?

The tech industries in our country have needs for new employees with math and science skills; these needs exceed the “supply” provided by our own schools. That’s why immigration of people with math and science ability is expedited. And we have an enormous percentage of our own young people who are unemployed? There’s a message here. And please don’t tell me we need “activities” to keep math students in school.

Before I graduated from Clark Fork High School in 1953, we conducted a community fundraising drive in order to have the uniforms and equipment to play football. It was successful and spontaneous.

Before you say, “We don’t need old-fashioned ideas” let me add that our schools and colleges were producing large numbers of math and science (employable) graduates.

Sports and activities are great but ask yourself what skills do our graduates truly need?

LARRY WELCH

Clark Fork