Russ Pulliam’s column, “A boost for charter schools,” Oct. 16, is yet another example of The Star’s love affair with charter schools. Pulliam cites Herron High School teacher Greg Lineweaver, one of this year’s two recipients of a Milken National Educator Award, as giving the charter school movement another political boost. As if we needed reminding, Pulliam states that Mayor Greg Ballard and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett want more charters, “free of union contracts.”

While honoring this gifted teacher is good, I find fault in Pulliam’s inference that being union-free is a key to teaching excellence and that charter schools are the only real key to educational reform. What about this year’s other Milken honoree, Ed Coleman? Did he achieve his award despite the presence of a union?

I have been a teacher for 22 years in Wayne Township, and I know that teaching excellence can be fostered and achieved where there is a collective bargaining agent. The belief that everyone can learn, the use of innovative classroom techniques, and a school culture that is devoted to the development of character are all present in public schools.

As someone who loves traditional public schools, I take offense when I see charter schools praised and the achievements of traditional schools either ignored or disparaged by inference.

MiSang Han

Milken Educator Award 2002

Indianapolis __