April 8, 1980 Mr. Richard Herrin 911 Wallace Boulevard Amarillo, Texas 79106 Dear Richard: Thank you for your letter. I appreciate the time and thought that went into writing it. You have asked some serious and important questions. The best answer I can give you is that I believe that different people need different kinds of help depending on their particular disability. For many people at- tendance at public schools is going to meet their needs best. For other peo- ple, attendance in a special school will be best. The decision about which is better depends on a person's individual capabilities and the services which are available in the public schools and in special schools. The law requires that handicapped children be educated in the public schools with nonhandicapped children if they can benefit from it. The idea behind this is that this will help them participate more in society and will prepare them for an adulthood where they live and work in the general society. I be- lieve it is good for people to be as independent and productive as they can be. Of course, when a person cannot help himself, then others should help him. There is a great need both in the public schools and in the private schools to improve the services which are available to handicapped persons. Salaries are important. People deserve to be rewarded for good work. This is true whether an individual is working with and for handicapped persons or in some other area. I agree with you that some people are overpaid. I also know that some people are underpaid. I have asked all state agencies to actively look for ways in which they can operate more efficiently and eventually pay the workers better. Unfortunately it is not easy to make improvements in the system and get people paid at a suitable level. As you see, there are no easy answers to the questions you have asked me. I appreciate your initiative in writing me. I believe that government can only work effectively when citizens take an active interest in it and are willing to express their opinions and make their desires known. Sincerely, WPCJr:lmr William P. Clements, Jr. Governor of Texas