Teachers' excuses don't add up

While I agree with some of what Scott Allen says regarding the responsibilities of middle schools, he trots out the tired mantra I hear from many teachers: Blame the parents ("Stop excuses; require pupils to master math," @issue, May 30).

When did it become the responsibility of parents to teach their children math? I know it's not being taught in school, because I was forced to teach both my sons basic math when they went through the system. It wasn't my job, but clearly someone had to teach them.

I tire of hearing from teachers that somehow it's no longer their job to teach. I am the product of an early-1960s Catholic education. We had one teacher, no teacher aides and classroom sizes of up to 50 students. Yet somehow we were taught well, with little or no homework. I still remember basic algebra and geometry and am thankful for the education I received.

Before any teachers write back, I do agree that discipline in our schools needs to be enforced and parents need to stop viewing their children as victims when they misbehave in class.

J. KEITH CONTARINO

Marietta

Good math teachers make the grade

The 40 percent failure rate on the eighth-grade CRCT math test is not uniform all over the state. My child's excellent eighth-grade math teacher told her classes last week that she was delighted that all her students had passed the test, every one. It takes a competent mathematician to teach this new curriculum. The state Department of Education needs to work on helping our less successful math teachers get up to speed.

ANN JACKSON

Roswell

Adverse societal factors affect students' performance

Failing schools? Ineffective teachers? Why does society continue to put its head in the sand when so many other factors scream at us from the pages of the AJC?

In Sunday's paper alone: Sexual abuse is a reality for 20 percent to 33 percent of our youth ("A forum for abused girls," Metro, June 1); substance abuse is part of daily life for 30 percent to 50 percent of students in grades eight to 12 ("Teenage drinking," Page One, June 1); lack of medical care is a reality for 1.7 million Georgians and emergency rooms can turn away almost anyone unable to pay ("Primary-care predicament," @issue, June 1).

While the present and former governors play the blame game, symbolizing the political posturing that is always at work ("The right road for schools," @issue, June 1), schools and teachers are left to frantically chase test scores that do nothing but provide a scapegoat for society's frustrations. Students who are sexually abused, on drugs and/or alcohol or are sick and/or hurting care little for math, science, history, test scores or their future. What many teachers do provide, along with education —- an encouraging word, concern, a smile —- is seldom reported and never measured.

DONNA DOUGLASS

Marietta

Quantifiably counterproductive

The CRCT and other standardized testing all sounded very good. Its principles were supposedly grounded in solid research and testing, so say the experts. The models would create a revolution in learning. America's children would gain the competitive advantage in the world of the learned.

After many years and billions of dollars, it hasn't happened. School systems are struggling to understand why children are not learning at predicted rates. The paradigm shift from the principles of a qualitative learning environment to quantitative was very subtle. It has not gone well.

Business management models do not work well within educational curricula systems or the classroom. When will we learn that everything cannot be quantified? Teach kids how to read, how to write, how to think and how to reason, not just how to test. The results will surprise you.

RONALD JOHNSON

Austell

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Gas tax

Funds needed for transit

Once again our governor has proved his inability or unwillingness to see anything beyond his nose. Halting the tax increase of 3 cents per gallon of gasoline will do nothing because the oil companies will keep increasing their profit and yet convince their paid lawmakers to give them subsidy at the expense of the taxpayers.

Earmarking the increase to plan, fund and operate a comprehensive and people-friendly public transport system would have done more good in the long run and prepared our state to prosper in the future.

How long will we be able to attract business without improving our infrastructure? Absence of a viable transportation system from Hartsfield-Jackson airport alone is estimated to cost business over $3 billion a year. I do hope that we elect a governor who does something for all of Georgia and does not just listen to the special interests.

PAVITTAR SAFIR

Roswell

Gimme a break —- a real one

Dear Gov. Perdue: Thanks so much for the 3-cents-a-gallon tax break!

I calculated if I drive 12,000 miles a year at 17 miles per gallon, your tax break would save me a whopping $21.18 a year. Oh, by the way, my check for $169.41 for the 2008 ad valorem tax is in the mail. Thanks again for the 3-cents-a-gallon tax break.

BOB CUDNIK

Cumming

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Maybe term limits will make lawmakers more courageous

I've read several articles and letters lately citing a lack of leadership in Georgia as the primary reason nothing significant is being done to relieve traffic congestion. Much of the progress our civilization and nation have made is attributable to great leaders and not-so-great leaders who made courageous decisions in the face of anger from the voting public. We constituents occasionally need a dose of "tough love" to save us from our own shortsightedness and willingness to delay spending until a crisis erupts.

Today's career-minded politicians are most likely to make the more popular decision, whether or not it best serves their constituents. One solution might be to impose term limits, so a politician can make good decisions knowing with certainty that he or she is going to be thrown out of office regardless.

BIRNEY A. MONTCALM

Douglasville

Less commentary enhances game

Last Saturday, as I was watching the Braves vs. Reds game on Fox, audio technical problems prevented the commentary from being transmitted, and the only sounds came from the field —- the fan noise, crack of the bat, etc. It was a delightful experience, almost like being in the stands. It forced me to concentrate on the game more, follow the pitch count, and I felt like I was in Cincinnati.

I am not suggesting that play-by-play commentary should be dropped. However, it was refreshing, and maybe Fox should consider scaling back on the talk and emphasizing more skillful camera video and stadium audio.

EMANUEL ROTH

Atlanta

More parents need to confront their kids

Kudos to Bonnie Clotfelter and her parents for telling their story in an open forum ("Substance abuse trap," Page One, June 1). A deeper question is, where are the parents of Bonnie's friends with whom she drinks in a friend's basement where everyone was playing drinking games "with a lack of supervision"?

Can and will the parents of Bonnie's friends and the parents of their friends' friends have the same strength and courage to confront their own kids' drinking and drug (ab)use, or will they remain in denial? It's uplifting to read Bonnie's story on the front page and sense the deep hope for recovery, instead of on the obituary page, where hope is gone and only despair and denial remain.

Life is choices. Hopefully, many of these other parents will make equally wise and courageous choices.

PETER VAJDA

Sandy Springs

Wanted: Politicians with vision of future

The articles on debt that connected some of our state legislators with financial ties to the banking industry ("No rush on debt relief in Georgia," Page One, June 1) and the article by former Gov. Roy Barnes on North Carolina's proven map for success in education ("The right road for schools," @issue, June 1) had something in common. In both articles, North Carolina had an excellent track record with regard to the use of public money for public welfare.

It would require a little intellectual curiosity to inquire as to how that state and others have done so well by their citizens. But in the more than 45 years that I have lived in Georgia, I have been amazed at the narrow and self-serving mentality of many state legislators.

They care more about fishing tournaments, golf courses and making a quick buck for themselves. They seem to have no larger vision as to how to improve this state for the larger community of citizens, many of whom are students and all of whom are consumers. Georgians, please consider how you vote this November.

ANNETTE BURDGES

Roswell