Unregistered
July 10th, 2003, 10:48 AM
The recent debacle involving the absurd number of high school students who failed a Regents math exam increases concern that the current posture and policies of the state education commissioner and the Board of Regents need to be examined before they additionally embarrass themselves, and more importantly, further humiliate the teachers and students in our public schools.
Obviously, attention to standards is not undemocratic, not un-American and certainly not new. However, as presently constituted, the state plan is poorly conceived and implemented in a way that is counterproductive.
Each year our state spends more money with seemingly poorer results and yet insists that it's realistic to expect every child to pass Regents exams. This is poor public policy, no matter how you look at it. Let's re-examine the premise for this program.
If those responsible held themselves to a higher standard, we wouldn't be witnessing the intellectual dishonesty that is hurting many young people who deserve better leadership.
TED KURTZ
Eden
www.buffalo.com
Obviously, attention to standards is not undemocratic, not un-American and certainly not new. However, as presently constituted, the state plan is poorly conceived and implemented in a way that is counterproductive.
Each year our state spends more money with seemingly poorer results and yet insists that it's realistic to expect every child to pass Regents exams. This is poor public policy, no matter how you look at it. Let's re-examine the premise for this program.
If those responsible held themselves to a higher standard, we wouldn't be witnessing the intellectual dishonesty that is hurting many young people who deserve better leadership.
TED KURTZ
Eden
www.buffalo.com