THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 13, 1995 TAG: 9511100028
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
In an Oct. 22 article concerning the education received by a single student in the Chesapeake school system, staff writer Margaret Edds quotes Jessica Snedecor, a freshman at Tidewater Community College and former Chesapeake high-school student as saying, ``I walked out not knowing anything,'' regarding honors classes she took while attending high school.
As an honor student at Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, I feel that the education received by students in honors programs in Chesapeake has been grossly misrepresented. Instead of focusing on the education received by a single student, Ms. Edds should have taken the time to talk to other students enrolled in honors classes in Chesapeake high schools. Although a report done in that manner may not have been as sensational to readers, it would have represented the facts in a more truthful way.
Whereas Jessica Snedecor's teachers ``didn't care if everybody failed the test,'' my teachers are greatly concerned with the progress of their students. There is no teacher I am aware of who allows a student who fails tests to pass the course.
Chesapeake classes are as good, if not better, than those given anywhere in Virginia. I am sure all Chesapeake high schools would gladly allow the observation of honors and advanced-placement classes.
JAMES HESLEP
Chesapeake, Oct. 25, 1995 by CNB