Don't blame the schools.

Craig Barrett's claim that the U.S. is doomed economically because our public schools are failing ("Fixing America's Educational System," Agenda 2005, December) is essentially an update of the charges made in "A Nation At Risk." But repeating something often enough does not make it any more true today than it did in 1983, when the controversial report on America's schools was issued.

Despite new competition from nations such as India and China, the U.S. is not in jeopardy because of its schools. The real threat is from growing budget deficits and corporate malfeasance. In fact, U.S. schools range from execrable to excellent. Despite the undeniable failure of some schools serving disproportionate numbers of disadvantaged students, the majority of graduates become employees who are problem solvers and critical thinkers. That has been and always will be the strength of this country's work force.

Walt Gardner

Los Angeles

Walt Gardner taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District and was a lecturer at the UCLA Graduate School of Education.