ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602090096
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I THINK Virginia teachers have received a bad rap over the new standards of learning. The cry has been that we don't want to change the system. That's correct. We want to improve the system.
When the first rumblings of the new social-studies standards were heard, I went to our representatives and voiced concern. Were these age-appropriate and advantageous to students? Then I went to a public hearing and spoke against the standards, as did many others. But the standards were approved and implementation began. Now the realities of these changes are becoming apparent.
No monies have been mandated to purchase materials to teach these objectives. Localities, with already strained budgets, will spend thousands of dollars. In some systems, there may be no money.
It's possible students will not have new social-studies textbooks for several years. Again, no monies have been mandated to replace books necessary for these standards. Also, at this time, there seems to be no textbook series that addresses the needs of the state's new requirements. It's uncertain that there will ever be a series written, as it isn't cost-effective for a textbook publisher to produce a series for a state the size of Virginia. Therefore, if there are books utilized, they will not be grade-level appropriate. For example, a fifth-grade student might use a book written on a seventh-grade level.
Our leaders are willing to fund one area of the standards: testing for them. They will supply no materials or textbooks, but want to test the students' learning and hold teachers and schools accountable. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?
Yes, give teachers the bad rap for not wanting to change. I'd rather take that than accept bad decisions forced upon us and our students. Why don't leaders help us to teach children rather than hindering us?
DOROTHY L. BULL
Social-studies teacher
ROANOKE
Greed is a root of many evils
YEARS ago, I heard the popular songstress Nora Bays sing the hit song ``I Don't Care.'' I often wonder if the song's popularity will be renewed today when people, reminded of the evil things happening in this country, say: ``What can I do?'' or ``I don't care.''
Are there evils? What are the savings-and-loans scandal, Wall Street flops, insurance and real-estate frauds, cop killings, the drug mess, 37 million people without health insurance, the need for a better school system and hungry children?
In the midst of plenty, we have too much poverty. Meanwhile, a few benefit, and in many ways are favored tax-wise and otherwise.
Stop the greed and corruption. Let ``I don't care'' become ``I do care,'' and keep the United States of America caring.
EARL L. MARKLAND
RIDGEWAY
Losing proposition isn't a winner
IF THE state adopts riverboat gambling as well as Powerball and keno as revenue sources, how about this update of the old slogan: ``Virginia is for losers.''
SHARON DILLER
BLACKSBURG
Social programs punish the rich
WHY ARE we slowly but steadily plunging headfirst into a socialistic chasm of no return? England, France, Italy, Cuba and Sweden are only a shadow of what they once were. Do we realize what we're doing? We want everything in life at little or no cost. No sweat, pain and tears. Gimme, gimme, gimme - you owe me!
Some want to punish richer Americans because they are successful in pursuing material gain. Some don't care if our young people may be left out of obtaining monthly Social Security checks. In a few more years, it will take two working Americans to support one retired person. What has happened to the American work-ethic formula for success? What happened to hard and rewarding work? Must everything be delivered to us on a silver platter?
Successful Americans deserve the fruits of their labor. Why should they be forced to surrender a large portion of their fortune for social programs run by our government? This is socialism, cut and dry! It didn't work in the past, and it won't work in the future.
MARGARET BORSELLA
ROANOKE
To disagree is not to criticize
I HAVE always appreciated the help that The Roanoke Times has been to our church in advertising advice, feature stories or Neighbors section blurbs. I do have a bone to pick with you over the Religious Brief in your Jan. 20 newspaper titled ``Episcopal business meeting.'' It said:
"Resolutions at this year's council include one that offers support to church leaders who avoid condemnation of homosexuals. Light was criticized several months ago for his membership in a gay-rights organization. His refusal to leave the organization drew criticism from some members of the diocese, including leaders in the Evangelical Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit."
It's true our church called a meeting with Bishop Heath Light over his role as chief spokesperson for the Coalition for Gay and Lesbian affairs. We met privately with him and presented our area of disagreement. That isn't criticizing, as you stated. Bishop Light isn't merely a member of a group seeking to "avoid condemnation" of homosexuals, but the chief spokesperson for a coalition with a pro-homosexual agenda - one that celebrates homosexual practice, and one that sought to proclaim, via billboards, that this "diversity" enriches us as a community.
Like the bishop, we believe that homosexuals should be treated fairly and welcomed into a church. Unlike the bishop, we do not believe that blessing and celebrating the practice of homosexuality is loving or God's will. The Jesus of Scripture came to set captives free, not to bless their incarceration.
Of less importance is the fact that the writer of this blurb didn't even call us by our correct name. We are the Church of the Holy Spirit (Evangelical Episcopal). Whoever wrote it was either biased or didn't do his or her homework. We'll forgive 'em.
QUIGG LAWRENCE
Senior Pastor
Church of the Holy Spirit (Evangelical Episcopal)
ROANOKE
Guest conductor pleased many
AFTER the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's concert on Jan. 22, we discussed the performance during our trip back to Blacksburg and came to the conclusion that our efforts in making the trip were worth it.
While the program (Stravinsky) may not have been fully to my liking, the orchestra sounded great under Leslie B. Dunner's baton. The Brahms was super, and left us full of praise for the effort of out-of-town guest conductors working on short notice with performers - some who are out-of-towners themselves.
Imagine my surprise when I read Seth Williamson's Jan. 23 review (``Third finalist for RSO music director fails to spark audience's spirit''). Did he hear the same performance I did? I wonder what his credentials are, for he likes very little of what he hears.
Please try to vary your reviewers. While everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, I also believe in giving credit where it's due. I'm fortunate to have met Dunner before the performance, and his self-assurance and experience as a conductor, coupled with his sense of humor, scored him a winner in my book.
AGNES S. HELLER
BLACKSBURG
Creative financing at city hall
FROM HIS palatial vantage point, surrounded by high-tech computers, he works out his schemes and then strikes at our wallets via the mailbox in the form of real-estate appraisals. Surprise! Surprise! He has cunningly created more wealth for us by increasing the value of our humble homes. This will allow us to retire or die real-estate rich, even though we realize no increase in our earnings. He can, through creative financing, divert more of our funds into his luxury coffers, and push us a little deeper into poverty and slavery.
Aren't we blessed by those in city hall who care so much for our wallets - er, I mean our well-being. Too bad the tax appraiser isn't voted in or out by the citizens who adore the appraisals so much.
Oh, well. Liberty and justice for all (who can afford it).
ARNOLD BAUMAN
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 154 linesby CNB