Regarding: Jerry Cornfield’s column, “Controversial education leader to pay us a visit” (Reporter, Sept. 22):

We need to look at history of what works and what doesn’t work. The United States did not have a federal department of education until 1979. Education is a state responsibility.

Prior to the department of education being formed, students in the U.S. scored much higher compared to other nations than now. I found that the U.S. scored 24th in science and reading and 39th in mathematics in 2015. Those results are appalling.

When we change our system, we should gather data on the effects of the change. When results are worse after the change, we should return to the system prior to the change. We may then come up with a new idea that would improve the system.

Again, we must gather data to determine the effectiveness of the new approach. We would only continue with a new approach when the results showed improvement.

Mr. Cornfield and Sen. Patty Murray are pushing for no change to the system that has proven to be failing our young citizens. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has offered new approaches to the education system. A new approach is needed.

I would prefer that we return to the system that worked better before the department of education was formed. If we eliminated the department of education, we, the taxpayers, would have much more money available for education without a tax increase. The administrative overhead costs are astronomical in the current system.

In fact, administrators are paid much more than teachers. Students learn from teachers, not administrators.

Even President Obama chose to send his children to a private school. That should tell you a lot about the current public school system model. Every locality should control their own schools without interference from the federal government.

– William Malinski