One of the rare pleasures of old age is to chuckle at “new” concepts which in fact were routine 60 or 70 years earlier (“Atlanta school tests single-gender learning,” News, May 14). Until 1951, Decatur High School, from 8th grade on, was single gender. If there were any concerns about social sexual development, it should be noted that Boys’ High and Girls’ High were separated only by the city auditorium; before and after school, the boys were on the Girl’s High campus. We certainly knew girls were not just soft boys. But between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., we were being educated without the distraction of the hunk in the corner or the sweater in the second row. Sadly, Decatur went co-ed in 1952. I would have put the Decatur High School graduates of that era up against those from anywhere else in the country.
FRANK MATTHEWS, STONE MOUNTAIN
Left has ruined schools that, as-is, deserve no new money
As a taxpayer and conservative who has decried the awful job our schools have been doing across the board (stats available in recent Walter Williams column in your own paper), I say BS to demands for more money to further the ruination of our future leaders. The Left purposely creates chaos and disaster, and then it wants more money to continue the track to oblivion? No flippin’ way. When you fail at your job you are fired, you don’t get a raise. Until structural change is made in such issues as putting reading, writing and arithmetic proficiency first before grade promotion, we shouldn’t talk about more money for schools. This will also force the culture change we need to bring back the American family wrecked by big government.
ROB BRANSON, BROOKHAVEN
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