In "Level with Idaho" (Forum, Feb. 1), Hal Chasen asserts that if Utah spent more money on each pupil in public school, our children would be "level with Idaho," which I assume means receive a better education.

What Chasen and a majority of people aren’t aware of is that cost per pupil has less to do with the quality of education by a long way than hard work, good teachers and parental involvement.

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Children in the United States spend about 180 days per year in school. Japanese children spend about 200, and Chinese children even more.

U.S. students, such as those enrolled in Knowledge is Power Program charter schools spend 10-hour weekdays and a half-day on Saturday in school. More than 85 percent of KIPP students graduate and go on to college. Many are from single-parent poor families.

Cost per student is not the controlling factor; it’s about long hours, hard work, good teachers, parental participation and enough money to buy books and keep a roof over their little heads. Change that perspective and we’ll have more successful students.

I recommend the documentary "Waiting for ‘Superman." Watch it — you’ll be shocked, and angry.

Jeff Miller

Holladay