EDUCATION
Social promotions, cheating mask bigger problem
Recent news articles about the low percentage of success of minorities on AP exams (“Wide racial gap persists”) coupled with the front page article about APS teachers and administrators accused of test cheating (“Cheating case lands high-profile witness”) shouts out a glaring flaw in today’s educational system: social promotions. We continue to promote students to the next grade even though they have not mastered the basics of the previous grade. The common theme seems to be to not injure our little darlings’ self-esteem by holding them back. They finally hit the wall when they are 18 years old, have high school diploma in hand, and make a dismal showing on the AP exam or job application. It’s long past time that we emphasize mastery of the subject matter, and not just attendance and the passing of birthdays — regardless of race, ethnicity, physical disability, etc.
P.D. GOSSAGE, JOHNS CREEK
STORM RESPONSE
Many unsung heroes worked hard to keep us safe
Our state’s elected leaders have received well-deserved recognition for the effective, coordinated response to our latest winter storm. As a result of comprehensive planning, some lessons learned, and the dedication of thousands of heroes on the front lines, Georgians remained safe, the roads were clear, and children were home with their families.
As ice accumulated on trees and power lines, our state’s utility employees were ready. Having left their own families at home, they staged in parking lots and temporary facilities - ready to start working first to prevent outages and then to restore power to the many Georgians who lost it. While it may have taken longer in some cases than anyone would have liked - it was not for lack of determination or commitment. The same can be said for our public safety and transportation workers. They got ahead of the storm and did not rest - or go home - until the danger had passed.
The Georgia Chamber is proud to salute these unsung heroes who exemplify everything that is great about our state and remind us all that when we work together, we can accomplish incredible results.
CHRIS CLARK, CEO, GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CLIMATE CHANGE
Global warming, carbon tax claims are hot air
The communications director of a climate change lobby (“Cartoon truly shows fossil fuel influence,” Readers Write, Feb. 18) claims that 83 percent of the population when polled would support actions to reduce global warming even if there are economic implications.
If that number is true, it is because — as with most complex political agendas — that the public has little or no knowledge of the details and impacts.
So, yes, we need to have a conversation in which environmentalists are held accountable for their outrageous claims that every single natural occurrence is due to “climate change.”
And we need to have a conversation that gives the details of what the “cleaner technologies” actually are, and a detailed accounting of their economic viability.
Last, we need a conversation in which proponents of a carbon tax explain how taxing individuals on every energy use – and then returning that money to “households” reduces the impact of the taxes.
And we especially need have an explanation as to whose “households” get that money.
I suspect if there was actually an honest conversation, the answers to these questions would not even amount to a whisper of hot air. If they were actually available – they would have been presented long ago.
LEN CAYCE, LAWRENCEVILLE
