Grading schools
In the Aug. 30 paper there is chart reflecting schools test performance based on race and family economic level. 35 to 40 years ago a law was passed eliminating the listing of your race on application forms to eliminate racial preference. I was very pleased as I thought this was a step to minimize racism. A short time later I applied for night school courses and the application asked for my race. Later I attended a committee meeting with the PA State Treasurer attending and I asked why I was asked for my race on the application. He said so we can keep track of how minorities are doing. This was the state failing to follow the law and I rate them a big fat "O."
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When it comes to education I think the state's emphasis is misplaced by measuring test scores to determine success or failure of a school program rather then teaching the subject. This results in teaching students to memorize answers, rather then stimulating the student to think about the subject, so some political bureaucrat can look at the scores to pass or fail the program. A good teacher and program is able to challenge the student to think and the individual school system is a better judge then the bureaucrat of it's success or failure. I have seen some school systems that are failing but it is not the student's fault and is the responsibility of the residents in the voting booth.
Jack Stuckey
Dover
