GUEST COMMENTARY: ATTENDANCE PRIZES UNDERRATED

by Craig Holway

Starting this new school year, the St. Louis public school system raffled away free televisions for those who attended the first day of classes. The school system's superintendent decided to proceed with this action. For the past month, he has been harassed for his idea by those who think the measure "inappropriate" and criticized for "sending the wrong message." I tend to disagree with those who have said these things, and here is why.

Some have claimed that the wonderful invention we call the television is the reason why some students are not making the grade. These observers accuse TV of claiming the intelligence of children and filling their minds with nonsense and fiction. I, for one, agree there is a lot of worthless junk on TV these days - "Beavis & Butthead" round out the list, followed closely by infomercials and evangelists.

However, there are a lot of educational programs that constantly appear on the small screen. For instance, the Discovery Channel, the new History Channel and A&E, as well as many others, broadcast nothing but educational programs intended to educate, as well as to entertain. The amount of knowledge one can accumulate from watching these channels could be astronomical if we just give them a chance. Knowledge is all around us. All we have to do is open our minds and accept it, not as frivolous details of no concern, but as pure knowledge, the kind that makes the grade.

I can only hope that the raffle winners will have the good sense to stop on the Discovery Channel while channel surfing on the day they decide to skip school.