LETTER, March 17, 1997

It is encouraging to see the recent growth of home schooling in the United States ("Home-schooling surges in U.S.," March 6).

Defenders of public education can criticize home schooling all they want, but the facts prove that children educated at home are better academic achievers. Home schoolers are neither badgering everybody for property tax increases, nor bogged down in controversies over bilingualism, religious displays, sexual orientation issues or teacher strikes. If President Bill Clinton really wants to improve education, he should promote home schooling.

--Jeff Hampton, Royal Oak