As educators, you need to come back to what education is all about - teaching students, not stats or testing alone. Teaching must be for student learning, not for test scores.
Also note the changes that have been proposed to the world language classes. It makes no sense to force students to have burn out trying to master four or five years' worth of material in possibly three years. With four years at the high school level, your student could possibly test out and have college credit for foreign language in college a cost savings to the family. Ask current college students who have been in some of these four- or five-year classes. Education is supposed to be about students, not directors and administrators.
Parents, you need to be involved with the decisions that affect children's education, because they are our future leaders.
J.M. Unger
Hagerstown
Media try to undermine Bush
To the editor:
I was struck by the Nov 29 page A-2 headline (AP) "Bush Iraq trip image tough for rivals to match." But after reading the accompanying article and a companion one, "Iraqis complain...." one thing was clear: The rivals would have the full help and cooperation of the liberal media in trying to tarnish that image.
When the liberal media will go to Muzher Abd Hanush (does he even exist?) in his barber shop in Bagdad to get a negative quote you know they will go to any length to make any possible Bush positive a negative. And, of course, The Herald-Mail (the local political action committee for liberals and the liberal cause), will fall right into line as a willing accomplice.
But I urge you not to forget the welcome the American soldiers fighting for you and me in Iraq gave their commander-in-chief. They and their commander-in-chief know all too well the high cost of real freedom.
"O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life! America, America, may God thy gold refine, 'til all success be nobleness, and every gain divine" (Katherine L. Bates).
By the way, did you know that before becoming president, the commander-in-chief, George W. Bush, served his country honorably in the Texas Air National Guard?
Edward L. James
Hancock
