THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290019
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Book Review
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Bill Thomas (Another View, July 17) gave a good explanation as to why so many students get a less than adequate education: We do not demand that they make more than a superficial effort.
For instance, SAT scores have been low for years. We've encouraged students to do better, but when these efforts failed the scale was revised so that, with no change in effort, students get better scores. Lesson: If students are not willing to work harder, we will avoid embarrassing them by acting to make them look better.
The Salem High School English Department recently designed for juniors and seniors a course composed of material usually taught in third or fourth grade. The board approved it for junior and senior credit. Lesson: If students can't do regular junior or senior work, give them something easier and call it junior or senior education.
Thomas Sowell's op-ed column of July 24 documents how the system jumps to the defense of students displaying improper behavior or improper use of the English language.
Those demanding too little of students now wear the white hats. Those encouraging traditional standards are accused of school bashing. Is it any wonder that our students feel they are most proficient in math even though they are at the bottom internationally?
EDWARD G. KREYLING JR.
Virginia Beach, July 24, 1994 by CNB