July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Parent: Remarks by Downing 'out of line' (12/19/05)
Letter to the editor
To the editor:
In an article titled “GQE policy toughened” in the Dec. 20 2005 issue of The Commercial Review I found some of the remarks made by Barbara Downing quite sarcastic and without remorse towards kids who have some trouble with the subjects that are taught to them in the school system today. As far as taking the ISTEP test is concerned and I quote, “There's a way they can avoid summer school: Pass the test.” I feel that this statement is a little out of line.
You see, not all kids and certainly not mine, have all the same God given talents and abilities to be able to understand as well as comprehend a given subject. Let's take Algebra for instance. This class is required to graduate and there are probably many kids who don't have the analytical ability to pass this class, let alone get enough problems right on the ISTEP exam.
Therein lies the rub. With state educational requirements being elevated every year it seems there is a certain amount of pressure on every local school system in the state to see that the students are performing and achieving at a higher level. Children today are being pressed at all angles to do more and greater things both in school and out of school.
School systems, along with the state also expect parents to bear part of the burden through higher property taxes and participation of the child’s homework.
Another quote from the article made by Bryan Alexander was, “We don't have enough of our kids seeking post-secondary education.” As far as that is concerned I don't think a lot of parents can afford post-secondary education with the way colleges keep increasing tuition costs. If I were making $80,000-plus a year like Barbara Downing is, I probably could afford college for my kid.
My point is this, don't think all kids today can meet or exceed the goals set for them just because you want or think they should, because not all kids are the same. They all learn at different levels and aren't all filled with the same gifts.
Steve Blowers
Bryant[[In-content Ad]]
In an article titled “GQE policy toughened” in the Dec. 20 2005 issue of The Commercial Review I found some of the remarks made by Barbara Downing quite sarcastic and without remorse towards kids who have some trouble with the subjects that are taught to them in the school system today. As far as taking the ISTEP test is concerned and I quote, “There's a way they can avoid summer school: Pass the test.” I feel that this statement is a little out of line.
You see, not all kids and certainly not mine, have all the same God given talents and abilities to be able to understand as well as comprehend a given subject. Let's take Algebra for instance. This class is required to graduate and there are probably many kids who don't have the analytical ability to pass this class, let alone get enough problems right on the ISTEP exam.
Therein lies the rub. With state educational requirements being elevated every year it seems there is a certain amount of pressure on every local school system in the state to see that the students are performing and achieving at a higher level. Children today are being pressed at all angles to do more and greater things both in school and out of school.
School systems, along with the state also expect parents to bear part of the burden through higher property taxes and participation of the child’s homework.
Another quote from the article made by Bryan Alexander was, “We don't have enough of our kids seeking post-secondary education.” As far as that is concerned I don't think a lot of parents can afford post-secondary education with the way colleges keep increasing tuition costs. If I were making $80,000-plus a year like Barbara Downing is, I probably could afford college for my kid.
My point is this, don't think all kids today can meet or exceed the goals set for them just because you want or think they should, because not all kids are the same. They all learn at different levels and aren't all filled with the same gifts.
Steve Blowers
Bryant[[In-content Ad]]
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