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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

Don't Kill The Messenger

Regarding "Frustrating Challenge Agonizes Teachers" (Commentary, Feb. 3):

I've read Christie Gold's piece several times and feel her frustration, but I think she wants to kill the messenger. As she tells it, classes have groups at the polar ends of the educational achievement spectrum. On one end there are the achievers (the "A's") who absorb the classroom material and can prove it during the FCAT. At the other end are the non-achievers (the "null-A's") who don't learn the classroom material and whose shortfall is obviously highlighted by poor FCAT scores.

It sounds like Gold's solution is to eliminate the FCAT; however, killing the messenger doesn't make the message go away.

I suggest that rather than do that, the better solution is to separate the A's from the null-A's. Put them in separate classrooms in lower grades and on different learning tracks in the upper grades. This would allow the achieving group to keep moving forward while the non-achievers are drilled as needed.

JOHN S.V. WEISS

Spring Hill

Look Into FCAT Costs

My first reaction when I began reading Christie Gold's article about FCAT testing was, "Just another teacher whining about teaching to the test."

As a veteran teacher, I see the positives FCAT has produced: teacher accountability, reading gains in most readers whether reluctant or not and reading and study strategies offered to all students whether college bound or work bound. One thing that Gold mentioned, however, that has been a bone of contention with me for many years and should be an outrage to parents and teachers of most students is the unbelievable amount of money, effort and energy directed at lowest-performing students.

In this age of fiscal responsibility I'd love to see the Tribune do a series of articles on how much money is spent on special classes, special materials and special tutoring for low-performing students, who are the minority. You also might want to look into the amount of money spent purchasing special FCAT materials from textbook companies that few teachers have any interest in using.

JANICE SHORT

Tampa

Just Let Teachers Teach

I guess education is being compromised just like our health care system. Money takes precedence over quality education. FCAT plus traditional scheduling equals poor education. Don't any of our top school officials realize how this equation is detrimental to our children and our schools?

Let us be reminded that education is what leads us to a better future. The children are our future; will someone help them please? Where are our school officials? Are they working for a better education or for monetary gain? Can we please just let our teachers do what they do best: teach.

I am a parent who does not pretend to know the answers, but I do hope that help arrives before our Hillsborough County schools become just "buildings" instead of "houses" of learning.

K. NICOLAUS-MANKIN

Valrico

College-Bound Message

Regarding "Team Effort Needed At All Schools" (Commentary, Feb. 3):

Plant High School enjoys unofficial "choice school" status because of its academic reputation. I have spent the past 10 years paying close attention to the environment in which black males and other minority students learn. All public high schools in Tampa have talented teachers and administrators who can help minority students like Tony Dungy's son, Eric, become competitive applicants to America's top national universities.

One major difference, though, is the bound-for-college rate at several high schools like Plant. Students from zip code 33629, the heart of Plant's assignment boundary, live in a community where 54 percent of the residents have four-plus years of postsecondary education. Most students cross paths with someone before and after school who transmits the "college-bound" message.

JASON D. MIMS

Tampa

School Choice Is The Law

In the controversy surrounding the special assignment of Tony Dungy's son, I would point out that the Florida Legislature passed public school parental choice legislation in 1994. Under the open enrollment provisions established by that legislation, the parent's "preferential school choice" would serve as "as a significant factor." In fact, the intent of the legislation at that time was to give students and their families multiple opportunities within the public school system.

I was fairly flabbergasted to discover that over 60 percent of students are denied their educational choice. This clearly was not the wishes of the Legislature at the enactment of this bill.

KENT R. CORRAL

Tampa

Writer Was Insensitive

Regarding "Ledger's Death Doesn't Bother Us" (Other Views, Jan. 30):

I was appalled and disgusted to read the commentary from The Minaret, student newspaper at the University of Tampa, regarding Heath Ledger's death. While I have no strong emotions for Ledger's death, to "not give a damn whether he lived or died" is an insult to his family and friends. And even his fans.

I wonder how the writer's parents would feel to read that a prestigious college newspaper didn't give a damn whether he ever lived or died, were he to pass before his time.

So here's a real life challenge for the students to put their money where their mouth is: I will personally pay for up to three of the editorial staff responsible for writing that hateful article to travel to a starving nation of their choice to help feed and care for the starving children mentioned. Otherwise, grow up and be thankful it's not you burying your son or friend.

FORD SMITH

Tampa

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