Today’s kids just don’t care about school
To the editor:
Regarding the abysmal results on the recently conducted math exams given to Clark County students:
I have been a substitute teacher for two years and one pivotal fact has jumped out at me since taking on the role of temporary educator: A student who does not want to learn probably won't.
It takes just about all a teacher's time and expertise just to help those students who have the initiative and drive to learn. And even that involves a basic desire to understand the material and grasp the concepts on the student's part. Those who have no desire to grasp anything but their iPods or lip gloss are wasting the teacher's time, and no amount of instruction or one-on-one intervention will help without the willingness of the child to learn.
It is time to put the blame on lazy, insolent students and/or their parents. When the students start caring about their education, so will the educators.
Bruce Schowers
LAS VEGAS
No to raises
To the editor:
The article in Sunday's newspaper pointing out the dismal math test results of eighth-graders, which mirror the math test results of our high school students, is the best reason I have seen yet to vote against the casino tax referendums.
This is a tragedy of immense proportions, and how does the school district respond? By stating that "all of us have to take ownership of the problem. It's an issue the whole community has to be involved with."
As part of this "community," I will be casting a big "no" vote for any casino tax initiative that does nothing more than give huge raises for the teachers who are not only failing the children but failing the "community" as a whole.
Why should we impose a tax increase on casinos, or anyone else, for that matter, to reward teachers who can't teach 12th-graders to pass a math test -- half of which is made up of questions for eighth-graders -- or teach eighth-graders to pass their own math test. It is not the American way to reward an individual or group of individuals when their work results in failure eight out of 10 times. My "no" vote is my grade for the teachers.
Too bad we don't have a system that would allow us to reward the teachers at Rogich Middle School, whose students only had an 8 percent failing grade.
Barry Perea
LAS VEGAS
Accountability?
To the editor:
So now Clark County Superintendent Walt Rulffes is going to form yet another panel to "examine" the school district's math program, in response to the recently disclosed disastrous performance of our students on math tests (Sunday Review-Journal).
I continue to question what he's been doing up to now, with his personnel, time -- and with our money.
Why does he need a new panel? Is the old panel too busy thinking up ways to expand the school administration's share (presently more than $2 billion) of Nevada's budget?
I renew my request, with respect, that the school district publish a current and detailed revenue and expense report of its stewardship over the funds with which it is entrusted by we citizens.
Joe Pantozzi
LAS VEGAS
Religious dichotomy
To the editor:
It has been very interesting to follow the visit of Pope Benedict XVI here in the United States. To see this pre-eminent leader of Christianity (I'm Lutheran) dressed in his colorful vestments, spreading his message of forgiveness, tolerance and peace, even speaking in a synagogue, helps to renew one's faith in humanity.
Compare that visage with that of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his Sunni counterparts, wearing their black robes and perpetual scowls, glaring out from under their black turbans. Their message is one of intolerance, jihad against any who dare to think differently from their 3rd century beliefs and urging women and children to strap on explosives so that they can go out and kill other women and children, most of whom are also Muslims.
Such a dichotomy of philosophies. I'll stick with the pope's.
Gary M. Sunby
HENDERSON
Socialized toast
To the editor:
After reading Ed Begley Jr.'s Tuesday commentary "Recycling before it was cool," I could hear liberals gnashing their teeth over the fact that the environmentalist/actor is able to power his toaster by riding an exercise bicycle for 15 minutes. It's not fair -- the "poor" can't afford bikes.
How are they supposed to make toast?
Not to worry. If Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton gets to the White House, the new president and the Democratic Congress will pass a law that the "rich" must ride their toaster cycles for 30 minutes!
Robert Gardner
HENDERSON
