Got more reader mail than usual lately, and I thought all my Devoted Readers might be interested in some of it.
Devoted Reader Ed N. notes that critics of Virginia's SOLs will have to find something else to carp about, now that only 74 students in Hampton Roads were denied diplomas due to a failing score on the exam. Ed claims the area contains urban and suburban kids. Note that in some districts, students can take the tests "indefinitely," which may lead to some wobbly, grey-haired graduates in years to come.
Devoted Reader Justine is in high dudgeon after a discussion in her AP History class turned ugly. It seems Justine and her friend Kelly tried to argue against AA, and they even mentioned SAT scores. Kelly decompresses with a rant here. All I can say is, man, if I had had a blog in high school, certain "popular" kids would still feel their ears burning from my invective.
Devoted Reader Kevin S., who is apparently has nothing better to do with his time than send me each and every education-related article from Louisiana - Kev, you know I love you - sends along yet another article in which the PRAXIS is debated and degraded by educators. The article is relatively balanced, though, and the real sticking point seems to be that teachers must be judged competent in each subject area they teach (if it's considered a core skill).
The article concludes with the tale of this kindergarten teacher; her story is intended to be sympathetic, I'm sure, but it doesn't quite come off that way:
Kelly, the teacher at Brusly Elementary, said she has earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in education, and has completed more than 30 hours of college course work beyond her master's degree. Kelly said she also is certified in kindergarten and early childhood education and is certified in supervision and administration.
Still, she does not meet the definition of "highly qualified," and received a letter from West Baton Rouge Parish school officials telling her so.
"We're doing the work. We're bringing the children where they need to be, and we're constantly bashed," Kelly said in an interview at the school with several other faculty members.
Results from the National Teacher Exam would have helped in Kelly's situation, she said.
"I may have taken it and don't even remember it," she said.
Uh-huh. She doesn't remember? And she's contesting this entirely on principle, too, since kindergarten teachers are exempt from the requirements of the legislation.
Finally, Devoted Reader Henry C. submits the perfect example of a short-and-sweet letter of praise:
I recently came across your web site, and just wanted to let you know that I check it out every day now. Keep up the good work.
If you ever want to email me but aren't sure what to say, just say what Henry said.
Posted by kswygert at June 20, 2004 10:02 PM