To the editor:

November 13-19 will mark the 90th annual observance of American Education Week.  Our AEW tagline, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools.

Today’s teachers do more than teach basic skills. They nurture and inspire children. They help students learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation, and problem solving, which help students throughout life.