Monday’s Tribune carried two thoughtful pieces from educational leaders on the folly of narrowly defining successful postsecondary education. Professor David Galef of Montclair State University (“If your school is not in the Ivy League, it’s as if you don’t matter at all”) encourages us to look beyond elite private institutions and to recognize the value of state schools and community colleges, while Chicago Hope Academy President Ike Muzikowski (“Why West Side students need trades education”) argues for more funding of trade school education as opposed to pushing low-income students toward college.
Although both educators make important points, there is something missing from their analyses: Why are the students at places such as Montclair and Chicago Hope overwhelmingly low-income and often students of color? Why have we decided that these schools, and not the Ivies, are the best place for members of certain demographics? While one could argue that the value of elite schools lies largely in social capital, Galef acknowledges that they have top-notch research facilities and more funds to cope with emergencies such as COVID-19. These are not insignificant advantages.
By underfunding public education in low-income areas, we have made the decision for many Black and brown students, restricting their options long before they see a federal student aid form This malign neglect means that many of them may be unprepared for life, not just Ivy League universities.
Muzikowski states that West Side students score in the 12th percentile on the SAT; this indicates fundamental weaknesses in math, which could be seriously detrimental to success in the trades and critical thinking, reasoning and writing skills needed in any career.
Another problem: Where will these students work once they graduate? When Muzikowski envisions his students building “basketball courts on vacant lots in East Garfield,” where is the money to fund such projects? Who is paying for the “bright blue shutters” his kids will be installing on homes in North Lawndale?
Without significant investments not only in public education but also in neighborhood development, health care and small business, a degree from Chicago Hope or Montclair State is no guarantee of career stability.
So yes, fund and promote trade school education and community colleges, but also invest in strengthening local economies and schools. Let’s make sure all children receive robust primary and secondary educations and live in thriving communities that will give them meaningful choices.
— Lesley Williams, Evanston
Doctor shortage in Illinois
Illinois law now offers internationally trained doctors a pathway to licensure without completing U.S. residency. While this effort to address the growing physician shortage is laudable, it is unfair to U.S. medical graduates who have been stuck in the bottleneck of the residency pipeline.
Every year, thousands of graduates from American medical schools are left unmatched in residency programs, not because they’re unqualified, but because there simply aren’t enough positions. Federal funding for residencies has not kept up with the number of medical graduates, leaving many doctors with no path forward. These individuals spent years training and taking on crushing debt, only to be shut out of the system.
Further, other health care professionals, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are practicing independently with fewer than half the clinical training hours these unmatched physicians have completed. The work of nurse practitioners and physician assistants is valuable, but it’s clear the system is inconsistent. Why can’t U.S.-trained medical graduates have a similar alternative pathway to practice?
We need to create fair opportunities, which can be done at the state level. This could include limited licensure, reentry programs for those who have been out of the system and alternative pathways to full licensure. These solutions would not only be fair but would also help ease the physician shortage that continues to grow every year.
Illinois’ recently enacted law is a step in the right direction, but it is incomplete. We can’t keep sidelining qualified U.S. medical graduates when patients desperately need more doctors. It’s time to fix this broken system and let these physicians do what they were trained to do: care for patients.
— Dr. Janette DeFelice, Glen Ellyn
Islam misused by attacker
Regarding the attack in New Orleans: I am an Ahmadi Muslim American, and it is deeply troubling to see my religion being used to justify extremism against my own nation. Worse yet, we have started the year with attacks against innocent families celebrating the holidays. Such violence has no place in Islam.
The Quran clearly states that “whosoever killed a person, unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind” (5:33).
As a country, it is our utmost priority to prevent radicalization in our communities, be it from misrepresentation of Islam or wider misinformation that is spread online or through social media.
— Zeeshan Virk, Franklin, Wisconsin
Op-ed ignores other factors
The op-ed by Dr. Cory Franklin as to alcohol warning labels is fair but limited (“Should alcoholic beverages feature a warning about cancer risk?” Jan. 7). The studies he notes are highly suggestive, but they report on associations. They fail to take into account other dietary and life habits that may be more common in alcohol consumers and might also be significant in causation. Franklin might have done well to have pointed this out.
— Dr. Paul Helman, Wilmette
Donahue deserves mention
I was very disappointed that the Tribune story “Who we lost” on Dec. 29 didn’t mention Phil Donahue. I was lucky enough to attend two of his shows, which he hosted in Chicago for a very long time. He was very gracious and at the end of each show shook hands with everyone in the audience.
— Judy Rackl, Naperville
The health of our forests
The California fires show that taking safety for granted never works well. That’s a good thing to keep in mind in Chicago.
It’s time to think about the forests that circle the city.
— Terri Schmidt, Park Ridge
Editor’s note: We’d like to hear from you about your hopes for the new year — whether for our country, our state, your community or your family. Submit a letter of no more than 400 words to letters@chicagotribune.com. Be sure to include your full name and city/town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
