THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9604300146
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 235 lines
I served as a member of the panel for the first School Board forum, which was sponsored by the United Jewish Federation. Although the number of candidates made the evening a bit overwhelming, it was good to put names with faces and at least hear the basic philosophies of each person running.
As panelists, we were only able to address a narrow range of subjects. I'd like to express one more opinion to the candidates.
The ``feel good'' era of education is grinding to a halt. Parents as well as employers are demanding more rigor in our schools. But rigor does not mean just accelerating sixth-graders into a seventh-grader text or throwing away a class on career education and expecting, once again, for everyone to prepare to become doctors and lawyers. Rigor is designing a program that stretches a student's abilities to his limits and beyond. However, what is rigor for one student may actually be boredom for another.
The key to a successful school system that fulfills all of its students' needs is an appropriately differentiated curriculum. In layman's terms, this simply means individualization. We must change the attitude that everyone must sit together at the same time in the same class and learn the same thing. That attitude encourages failure. In business, don't we break everything into subcommittees?
So, let's try to reduce class size, hire more teachers' aides, and, through more, individualization, encourage students to learn at their own pace in their own way.
How can we individualize with so many students in each school? That's where those teachers' aides come into play. They can supervise small groups who want to know more about a particular subject or they can oversee students taking advantage of alternative forms of education through the use of technology and distance learning. Students can use computers or satellite links to work on projects with the vo-tech school or Penn State. Busing is such a waste of precious educational time. Let's bus minds, not bodies. We can offer every single student the world through the appropriate use of technology and we can create a rigorous education of everyone by offering them an appropriately differentiated curriculum.
Susan Leichtman
March 27 Two questions for candidates: Goals 2000 funding, phonics
A word of advice to parents voting for a new School Board:
There are two questions of vital importance that should be asked of all candidates:
(1) Is the candidate for Goals 2000? This bill recently passed by Congress effects everything that goes on in elementary and secondary education in Virginia Beach. This bill greatly increases bureaucratic control over local school plans, to the effect that any change decided upon by the local authorities must be approved by the Secretary of Education in Washington. This example is only one of a massive federal intrusion into local school affairs.
(2) Is the candidate for or against the ``phonics'' method of teaching? The proven method of teaching children how to read in the 19th century and up to some 40 years ago was the phonics method, which resulted in an over 98 percent literate society.
Today, we have up to 40 percent of our population illiterate or functionally illiterate since the phonics teaching tool has been all but eliminated. School Board members who recognize this problem must use their influence to see that this proven method of teaching is standard doctrine for all Virginia Beach elementary schools.
John Salop
April 21 Creationism, evolution both deserve fair hearing
There have been numerous volleys between the evolutionists and the creationists recently. Each feel strongly that they need to be heard. The following remark was made in 1925 at the Scopes Trial by attorney Clarence Darrow, who defended John Scopes and his view of teaching evolution: ``It would be the height of bigotry to teach only one view of origins.'' How far we have traveled down a slippery slope.
To open today's argument, both parties demand a hearing. The general consensus is that both could be considered theories defined as . . . systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances; a system of assumptions; abstract reasoning; speculation; hypothesis or supposition. Nothing in this definition says ``fact.'' To go one step further, does either really qualify as a theory since neither is able to meet established criteria of observability or testability?
Evolution, then, is no less religious or more scientific than creationism. Evolution is a belief system of the secular humanist side as much as creation is a belief system of the Judeo-Christian side. Both views require faith. A well-known British biologist and evolutionist, L. Harrison Matthews, has acknowledged this point in his introduction to the 1971 edition of Darwin's ``Origin:'' ``The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and this biology is in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an unproven theory - Is it then a science or faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation. Both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to this present, has been capable of proof.''
We already contrast other theories and don't dispute the viability in doing so. If these two views of the origin of life can be held out and examined as models only, and not theories, we may stand on the issue with a better balance. Take both views and investigate each for the merits each can provide. In this we would allow the model which best predicts what one actually observes in nature as the one more likely to be true.
Kevin J. Coward
April 21 Write in Riggs for board
Congratulations to R.L. ``Buddy'' Riggs, newly appointed interim member of the Virginia Beach School Board! At his first meeting he challenged the legality of the School Board's prior offer to pay up to $25,000 each in legal fees for Mr. Jackson and Mr. Tolentino, who are being indicted by a grand jury for malfeasance of office.
Also challenged was whether these two men could be guilty of conflict of interest since they voted in their own favor.
Mr. Jackson and Mr. Tolentino were given a chance to resign. If they are found guilty, the maximum fine is $250 and termination. It was their choice to stay and ``clear their names,'' but it should be at their financial expense, not ours. They claim they care about the ``children,'' yet they have no problem taking $50,000 from the taxpayers and school system to pay for their legal fees.
Unfortunately, Mr. Riggs will only be in office through June 30, since he was appointed by City Council. One person is running unopposed from the Beach Borough. If enough voters write in R.L. ``Buddy'' Riggs on the ballot, No. 154, he could win this seat and continue to provide the support and commitment the people of Virginia Beach deserve. Regardless of where you live in the city you can vote for Mr. Riggs on May 7.
Barbara Eisenberg
April 18 Re-elect Heischober
I was very happy to see that Harold Heischober is running for re-election to the Virginia Beach City Council. Mr. Heischober has a proven record of honesty, hard work and experience necessary for our city to continue to prosper. I encourage everyone to remember Mr. Heischober on Election Day.
Owen J. Moore
April 19 Put McClanan on council
It is fortunate that both candidates for the Princess Anne Borough seat on the Virginia Beach City Council are well intentioned people, and both are concerned about environmental protection.
However, it is Reba McClanan who has proven over and over to be the independent, reliable council member that can work effectively with other members.
Wherever you live, for your own good and the city's, help return Reba McClanan as the member of our City Council from Princess Anne Borough. We need her.
Marion Froehler
April 23 Spadaccini has answers
With the myriad choices in the City Council election for the ``at-large'' seat, Bob Spadaccini is the candidate whose time has come. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Mr. Spadaccini as a fellow Homeowner Association representative, dealing with the challenges of zoning enforcement to neighborhood preservation. Mr. Spadaccini has always been the one to foster ideas and imaginative solutions to problems that involve people solving their problems, not more government.
Mr. Spadaccini has forged coalitions with teachers, the handicapped and our men and women in blue. He has spent a great deal of his personal time with these hard-working people to better understand their needs and challenges.
Bob Spadaccini has demonstrated the ability to lead in any circumstance.
Bob Spadaccini also has developed considerable understanding of the needs of our business community. Through this comprehension, he has proposed compromises in growth and development that are reasonable and prudent. His vision includes bringing more high-tech (read: well-paying) jobs to Virginia Beach, preserving neighborhoods, rehabilitating dilapidated housing, being a responsible steward of our environment, maintaining a good relationship with our Army and Navy assets, and keeping a viable and lasting tourist industry.
Vote Bob Spadaccini.
D. Arthur Lapedusa
April 23 This teacher's for Ball
I resent the accusations of certain politicians that teachers only vote as they are told, and that they are naive about the real issues that affect public education. As a teacher with over 39 years of experience, I know what issues affect the education of our children, and as a citizen of Virginia Beach, I do my homework on candidates.
Gail Ball is a candidate who always does her homework on all the issues. As a two-year at-large candidate there is no question of her ability to handle tough situations. She will bring accountability and integrity to our School Board with her wonderful ability to work with our teachers and children.
This is one educator who will be taking her vote to Gail Ball.
Merrilu Ablowich
April 18 Dean ignored residents
In regard to a letter printed in the April 5 Beacon from Karen Waller praising Robert Dean, I would like to set the record straight. Mr. Dean is the representative from our courthouse neighborhood. Over 1,200 of us neighbors signed petitions opposing the privatized jail being considered by the City Council.
However, Mr. Dean was not supportive of our efforts. This lack of representation at City Council has been responsible for our seeking another candidate, Reba McClanan, to oppose Robert Dean. Fortunately, our efforts were not in vain and the jail has been denied, no thanks to Mr. Dean. Let us now elect a listening ear to our concerns.
Vote for Reba McClanan.
Donna S. Brewer
April 26 Support Dean and Rough
Being the parent of a child with special education needs and an advocate for persons with disabilities, I encourage citizens to vote for Frank Rough (at-large candidate for the School Board) and Robert Dean (City Council incumbent). In all the hoopla of electing a new board and of all the candidates running, Mr. Rough is the only candidate to show an interest in and who is informed about special education issues. Mr. Dean has already established himself as someone who is concerned about persons with disabilities.
Many state and federal laws protect the constitutional rights of people with disabilities. However, it often is difficult to get services and the action and attention of authority figures, such as some school administrators, when they have no interest in, nor understanding of, the needs of children who do not ``fit the mold.''
Though Virginia Beach has made great strides in living up to the intent and purpose of laws such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it has a long way to go. Without the hard work and dedication of parents who have proceeded us there would be no law IDEA. We, today, have an opportunity to contribute to the crusade. For the sake of your children - for the sake of all the children - please get out and vote.
Martha J. Thereault
April 24 by CNB