Malkin’s right on dearth of real teaching in schools
Children will never learn the basics of math and English without the repetitive blackboard drills and homework that doesn’t depend on an electronic device that doesn’t give a damn whether the student learns or not. Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin presents a true picture of the demise of real teaching and of the new dependence on the internet, “Just say no to those liberal Silicon Valley school Santas,” (Opinion, Dec. 27). We’re producing robots that depend on a robotic substitution for reality. Ask a graduating high school student to make the correct change at a register without computer assistance and to diagram a sentence naming each word’s function and you’ll be dismayed at the results. Don’t even think about asking them to reconcile a bank statement with a check register.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
Stable housing boosts student achievement
Thank you for your “Digging Deeper” coverage (“Nonprofit has forum on improving schools,” Metro, Dec. 14). This is an exciting time for the Atlanta Public Schools and other school systems in the area, as different combinations of private-public-philanthropic “3P” partnerships are engaging the community around ways to improve educational outcomes. Sometimes overlooked is the critical impact housing has on educational achievement. When housing is not affordable, well-maintained and safe, families move, and students move from school to school. This transiency greatly diminishes students’ chances for academic success. The successful 3P approach can break that cycle, especially if landlords and developers will invest in apartment communities near high-need schools with transiency concerns, renovate the properties and offer rents affordable for working families. The model benefits educators, families and landlords interested in low tenant turnover. It also benefits kids.
AUDREA N. REASE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STAR-C PROGRAMS
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