Each week NorthSide Opinions asks readers to comment on a topic in the news. This week we feature responses to the question: Who should be held accountable for students' failing math and social studies scores on the most recent CRCT exam?

> Background: State education officials announced recently that about 40 percent of eighth-graders failed the new, tougher math portion of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests. Eighth-graders must pass the test to move on to high school. A large number of students also failed the social studies test, but those scores were thrown out by state officials who cited problems with the test.

Parents demanded to know why teachers and state education officials didn't do enough to prepare students. ("Parents irate over test mess. Kids not to blame for surge in failures on state exams, adults say, so they turn their fire on teachers, education officials," AJC News, May 24.)

Many teachers said the Georgia Department of Education failed to give them enough training or materials on the new curricula. Many became angry at Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox after news spread of the breakdown concerning preliminary results on some portions of the exam. A spokesman for Cox said the exam "was certainly a more rigorous test, but the data shows us that a majority of Georgia's students were able to handle the increased rigor and get over the bar." He also wrote that a large number of students who failed came very close to passing.

Who is at fault? Students? Teachers? Parents? The state board of education? A combination?

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Parents are key to CRCT success

I am tired of parents who blame teachers and the state Board of Education for the large number of Georgia students who fail the CRCT exam. Although I agree that there may have been a disconnect between the test and what was taught, parents must ensure that students are ready for this important test.

My son is a third-grader at Vickery Creek Elementary in Cumming. I knew that he must pass the reading portion of the CRCT test to advance to the fourth grade. His teacher provided us with many sample tests and links to Web sites to assist in preparing our children for the CRCT.

I worked with my son on all of the sample tests and helped him learn any material that he did not know. As a result, my son received excellent scores in all categories.

Teachers try their best, based on the resources they have, to prepare our students for this important test. However, with so many students to teach, it is critical that parents work with teachers to ensure success.

Teachers cannot be solely responsible for the education of every child. Parents need to step up and start taking responsibility for their children's education.

MELANIE GRUSCHOW

Cumming

Most students don't need more than basic math

The CRCT exam and math [instruction] in general have been poorly handled. I'd like to address math.

Every person needs arithmetic. We all need a good understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals.

However, what most people call "math" is different from what is being force fed to both receptive and non-receptive students.

About 5 percent of students need the full course of math. They get the instruction and will need it to get into the right schools and for their careers. Another 5 percent or so can handle it and might need it later on.

The bottom half of high school students will never quite get it and will never need it. Many of those students will drop out of school to avoid more failure. Trying to teach kids something they do not want, need or understand is a total waste of resources.

MITCHELL L. EASTER

Cumming

Exam carries too much weight

The CRCT issue is not caused by any one group!

Education is a learning process that cannot be legislated to succeed. We are dealing with different types of students with different needs. Education cannot be rushed to meet the egos of adults. Education is not a race in the sense of a winner and a loser. The race for all students to meet the CRCT requirements has not allowed teachers to give proper instruction.

In addition, many students cannot seem to do well on a single test, especially with the pressure that failure could prevent them from moving to the next level.

The CRCT should simply be another test that is averaged into the regular schoolwork.

Let's back up and look at schools of the recent past. We provided schools that specialized in college preparation courses. We provided schools that specialized in the trades or music (and we didn't label those students failures because they did not get a college degree).

As parents, we drive our children to excel in scholastic careers that build our ego. We say that we want them to be better than us and to live better lives. We do not take into account their desires and goals.

They want to have a say in the decision for their career and their future. Give them some leeway. Let them learn at their own pace. They will retain more of the information.

You just have to let them know that you believe in them.

H. M. SILVERMAN

Marietta