As a retired teacher, I agree with Lisa Paxton that uninvolved parents have no right to criticize teachers ("Sue the parents," Forum, Jan. 28). However, the problems of student performance begin well before high school. The parent is the first teacher and has to be the model for active learning.

The biggest learning curve is from birth to 5 years old, when the parent absolutely is the first and primary teacher, whether positive or negative. A parent’s behavior establishes the child’s learning patterns before the child ever enters formal education.

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If a child’s earliest memories are not of a parent reading to them and of a parent reading at home, if there is nothing to read at home, then the child will not be a reader.

If there is no value for education demonstrated by parents at home (reading together, family discussions of ideas, checking the child’s backpack, establishing strong study skills, helping with homework, communicating with teachers) there will be no value for education demonstrated by the child at school.

It is difficult for a teacher, within seven hours a day, to build motivated, active learners out of young children who do not have parental models of motivated, active learning.

Nanci Flesher

Moab