Questions over superintendent’s approach
To the editor:
I just read the Friday Review-Journal article covering school Superintendent Dwight Jones' State of the District address. I am still confused how raising academic standards will help failing students. If they are failing a remedial class, how will putting them in an advanced class magically make them succeed?
In addition, Mr. Jones wants to develop educational plans and give individual attention to failing students. Individual attention where? In a class with 30-plus other students? Where is this money coming from? From the raises we might have to pay back? When are teachers expected to do this extra work?
I also worry how the School Performance Framework will affect less-than-stellar performing schools. What is this ranking based on? CRT scores? Interim scores? I would like to know.
I already think the "growth model" is questionable. According to it, my student with the best chances of "catching up" is by far my lowest performer with multiple absences and tardies. I did not agree with most of the model's predictions, plus is does not take into consideration any outside circumstances such as multiple absences, behavior, or medical issues that are affecting a kid's learning and attendance. So what happens to me when a student who puts forth little effort in class, if he shows up at all, does not show growth? And where are the "qualified teachers" coming from when we start losing our jobs over this?
Wendy Gelbart
Las Vegas
Scary thought
To the editor:
A recent Review-Journal article stated that casino billionaires Steve Wynn, Sheldon Adelson and Donald Trump were pooling their resources to stop the re-election of President Obama. It seems to me that if people who are not in the top 1 percent of income, but in the top .0001 percent, are worried about the president being re-elected, it may be a good thing for the rest of us if he is re-elected.
In the 1960s, CEO compensation was 25 times greater than the average worker. But in the past decade it rose to 400 times the average worker. After World War II until 1980, 10 percent of the national income went to the top 1 percent. Since 1981, the top 1 percent rose to a whopping 21 percent of the entire income of the country. This includes the gentlemen noted above, along with bankers and Wall Street executives.
If you believe that Mr. Trump and his cronies have the best interests of the rest of us in mind, you should follow their lead and vote to replace the president. However, I implore you to think about this. If they are convinced he is bad for them, he is probably very good for the rest of us. Do not allow massive dollars to cloud your thinking.
Be afraid, very afraid.
Joe Cerva
Las Vegas
