Wilson Riles

I remember Wilson Riles as a well-meaning, well-educated man (obituary, April 3). His opponent in 1970, Max Rafferty, was an arrogant jerk. Unfortunately, Rafferty’s plan for education was correct. Riles’ vision took us away from the basics of education and has left us with a disaster.

In 1970, California students were on the achievement leader board. Today, we are near the bottom of the barrel. Many would blame the large influx of immigrants, but the data reveal a drop in achievement even in schools with little or no influx of foreign students. Today, some of the members of self-serving teacher unions concede that radical change is necessary to correct the slide. Riles’ victory over Rafferty was another example of the public voting for personality over principle and policy.

DONALD J. PRADO

Valencia