Education should maintain American values

David Brooks cites persuasive research indicating that “we are witnessing the end of the old ethnic-racial order,” and that “soon there will be no dominant block, just complex networks of fluid streams.” [“Column: A nation of mutts,” Opinion, June 30.]

Brooks concludes, “the challenge will be to create a global civilization that is, at the same time, distinctly American.”

Social studies and humanities courses in American schools can be a major force in performing this crucial task. Our schoolchildren need to study our founding documents, history and arts.

Yet the day before Brooks’ column appeared in The Seattle Times, the lead editorial on education stated that Washington’s education system must emphasize science, technology, engineering and math to meet the needs of state employers. [“Lawmakers get it right on education funding,” editorial, June 29.]

These are important, but not more important than subjects that introduce our schoolchildren to civic knowledge and the values on which our nation rests.

Michael and Beret Kischner, Seattle