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Miami Herald

Good riddance to the Department of Education, where the politicization of higher ed began

For education's sake Mary Anna Mancuso's March 23 column, 'It's time for more Republicans to lead universities,' is a welcome critique about the failings of politicizing education to boost selects groups at the expense of others — and education itself. Three main problems arose from the U.S. Department of Education over the last six decades. One, it became centralized in Washington D.C. Second, the agenda was driven by one party, leaving little room for other views. The third bad act are the unions — organizations benefiting themselves and their standard-lowering agendas more than the students or teachers. The result was a proliferation of private schools and added expenses for parents. One need not look further to understand its failings. Centralizing government education made it easier for bureaucratic control of the school system and curricula while pushing away parental influence. No wonder we now see a house cleaning of the U.S. Department of Education, with only squawking from the bureaucrats and some scattered liberals who want to keep power in The Beltway. Quality education is either for all or for none. The standard must be set and all encouraged to meet it. Education cannot be like a naval fleet limited to ride the waves only as fast as the slowest ship. Cleaning house was long overdo. Limit union influence. Put education in the hands of the states, let them compete and allow for more parental input. It's their children who are being educated. Michael G. Merhige, Kendall Historic concert This weekend marks a significant moment in Miami's cultural history as Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) leads his final concerts with the New World Symphony. For more than three decades, MTT has shaped this remarkable institution and the artistic landscape of our city. His vision, mentorship and boundless energy have nurtured generations of musicians, bringing world-class performances and innovative programming to our community. Miami was a quiet city 37 years ago. Gates of the future opened when Michael Tilson Thomas conducted the inaugural concert of the first New World Symphony (NWS). Working with Ted and Lin Arison, he gathered the necessary forces and established the orchestral academy that has lifted the expectations of Miami's leaders. Since then, 1,300 program alumni have gone out to the major orchestras of the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia. MTT is retiring from the stage, but his influence will remain strong. As an example, the NWS's pioneering WALLCAST concept reflects his belief that great music should be shared with everyone, as NWS concerts are available for free to the public at the highest levels of sight and sound in Miami Beach's SoundScape Park. MTT concluded the first NWS concert in 1988 with the Beethoven Fifth Symphony. At 8 p.m. March 29, he will return to this iconic work to lead one of his final performances. I invite everyone to celebrate with us in the Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall, in SoundScape Park for the WALLCAST, or at NWS Inside ( for the live webcast. Howard Herring, president, chief executive officer, New World Symphony, Miami Beach Vital reading The IMLS — Institute of Museum and Library Services — is a little-known federal agency that manages several federal funding initiatives to local museums and libraries, including the program 'Grants to States.' IMLS makes up only 0.003 percent of the federal budget, yet programs such as Grants to States provide funding for services determined at the state level. In Florida, the Division of Library and Information Services, part of the Department of State, handles this service and includes interlibrary loans; online research databases and reference assistance; digitization projects; technology grants; and workforce development for libraries and the general public, among others. Florida received just $7.9 million for use last fiscal year (just 34 cents per resident), yet for every federal dollar invested in our libraries, more than $10 of value was produced for our communities. IMLS funding impacts every library and every community. Without these funds, local libraries will be unable to provide the services communities rely upon. I urge citizens to contact their representatives and ask them to support IMLS and appropriations for the Grants to States program. Brock Peoples, executive director, Southeast Florida Library Information Network, Boca Raton Beyond reach Re: Herald sports columnist Greg Cote's March 21 column, 'To Bruce Sherman as low-hope Miami Marlins open 33rd season: Spend more or sell team.' Miami Marlins owner Bruce Sherman, a mere half-billionaire, is out of his league. Like trophy wives and super yachts, pro sports teams are extravagant indulgences meant for those with wealth to flaunt, not for the misers. Dan Lundberg, North Miami Troubling thought Re: the March 21 Miami Herald online story, 'After state's threats, a Florida city reverses course on immigration enforcement vote.' As there is no due process, how can anyone be certain ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is not acting above the law? Harold A. Maio, Fort Myers Fair and balanced? As a long time South Florida resident, now five years removed, I would congratulate the Miami Herald on providing precious column inches Mary Anna Mancuso and her far right ideology in her March 23 op-ed. I find it really sad that the only way the Herald can appease those who only see mainstream media as liberal biased publications, is by going to the extreme right. Those who may be more centrist in their thinking and probably are regular Herald readers, can see through this nonsense, but the kowtowing to 'conswervatives' — and I mean that due to their twisting and turning of verbiage to appeal to the most extreme right wing ideology — is really disheartening. They then pretend to be more measured by adding a disclaimer that 'MAGA should not replace wokeness,' all while knowing full well that those being appointed to university positions have nothing but MAGA Project 2025 ideology in their plans. There are plenty of highly educated, thoughtful and intelligent commentators who can speak to a more centrist perspective, while providing left and right of center commentary, without pretending to appeal to the extreme on either side of the political spectrum. Alex Jimenez, Winter Park Marlins season As another baseball season starts for Marlins fans, hope springs eternal. It isn't just the fans, but the players, too. If pitcher Sandy Alcántara and infielder Xavier Edwards have good seasons, they can hope to be traded to teams that are trying to win and probably in contention. Imagine Alcántara on a team that can score runs for him, or Edwards having good hitters following him in the lineup on a team with a playoff spot on the line. Cody Ross and Omar Infante escaped the Marlins and played on teams that went to the World Series. For their careers, I hope Alcántara and Edwards can escape, too, as they deserve better. The Marlins win too, as it will further reduce payroll, though Major League Baseball and the players' union may soon step in, as they are already below payroll requirements. Jose Teijeiro, Miami Fixing education I do not see what all the fuss is about regarding the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. Student achievement has been falling since the department's founding during the Carter administration. When compared to the top 40 advanced nations, we are at the bottom in student achievement. We spend more per pupil than any country. Yet, as many as 19% of high school graduates cannot read, according to a study conducted in April 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy. This is a no-brainer. President Trump will fix it. Guillermo A. Martinez, Coral Gables