
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 18, 1992                   TAG: 9203180342
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STUDENTS CAN LEARN IF DESIRE IS THERE

BECAUSE 35 percent of students taking the sixth-grade progress tests failed the first time, a recent news article stated that easier tests were being considered.

These students are given two more years to learn the basic skills of arithmetic, language, reading and a bit about the world in which they live. They have two more chances to take the test.

If 35 percent of workers in the business world do not do the job, is the work made easier? Are they given 18 months of coaching to learn the job? How many get a second or third chance?

Some children learn quickly, but even those who are handicapped in some way can learn when the desire is there. The student has books, other learning equipment, and a brain.

If he is determined, he can learn by himself. However, he has teachers to help. It is his responsibility to learn the basic skills taught in elementary schools. Making tests easy is ridiculous!

Keep in mind that some of that 35 percent have been actively pursuing the disruption of learning.

ELSA LOWE

SALEM

by CNB