AiJL ~hi&* _J NOmh M« SSMAMVr vm ( Columnist for The Washington Post. William Raspberry spoke about parents beginning a child's education at home. In the EMU Friday. Writer says students must believe to learn By Rebecca Merritt Oregon Patty Emerald The American school system is only failing the children who believe they can't learn, syndi cated columnist William Rasp berry said Friday. "American schools unrestruc tured and unreforinod are doing a pretty good job of educating the children coming to school ready to learn," Raspberry told an EMI 1 Ballroom crowd of about 500 "There’s a misconception that schools are failing all children." Raspberry, who writes about educational and social issues for Fhc Washington Post, said one of the greatest problems with the American school system can be solved at home. Students particularly poor children from inner cities or run a! areas need to be taught by their parents that they are capa ble of learning and that it's impor tant they learn, he said Children in the bottom half of their class must slop using eco nomic or class deficits as an excuse for their underachieve ment. Raspberry said. Students also need to overcome the notion that only the children labeled as smart by their teachers and peers cun be successful "We need to let them know that von don't have to tie a genius to do well." he said. "People of average intelligence can a< hieve success if they will only work at it.” Raspberry said that act ording to Clerald Bracey. only the bottom half of American school classes fails to meet international acad emic standards. The top 20 per cent of American students have outscored the top 20 percent of lapanese students, while tin upper 50 percent of students in American classes scores as well or better than the top 50 percent of lapanese classes, he said However. American children in the bottom half of their < lass full far behind the upper half, while the lower half of Japanese students don't score that iar behind the top half. Raspberry said the bottom halt of American students don't meet academic standards Ins arise Ihrv aren't ready to learn and believe they aren't expected to learn. Par ents don’t know how to prepare their children for learning and need to he educated, he said OPI S MON N A I ‘I H SI ND-US Hi (42 HW>t. THE KIVA OPEN LATEi TO SERVE VOir The end of Fall term has arrived and these merchants are open late to assist you during dead week and finals week. Good luck on finals and have a safe & happy holiday season. LATE NIGHT with Track Town Pizza Medium Pizzas Discounted After 10:00 pm Daily and All Day Wednesday MEDIUM ONE ITEM PIZZA *6.95 Additional topping* $1.00 each 4* TRACK TOWN PIZZA I'wo convenient location* to serve you: § .■ She CAMPUS 484-2799 1809 Franklin Rlvd. WEST 484-4262 2511 W Uth & Wilson r* LATE NIGHT * WITH * ^SUBWAY* iCOUPON < SCoff ANY 1/2 F00TL0NG SUB Valid at campus location only through 12/31/93 Not valid with any other offer 1304 Hilyard 484-6955 UNTIL. A-IS/I NIGHT