Better instruction yields higher scores
Regarding the article, "SAT scores plummet 17 points in Guilford" (Aug. 31), we need more accountability in the system. The article quotes Barbara Zwadyk, high school instructional improvement officer for the district. I do not know how long she has been in her position, but if it has been more than a year, she needs to be relieved of her duties, because she obviously has failed and failed miserably.
I graduated from high school in 1973 with a high enough SAT score to be awarded an academic scholarship. We never took a course on how to take the SAT or had a computer program coach us. Our teachers did not teach to the test. They taught the material, with the expectation that we would retain it well enough to do well on their tests, on midterms, on finals, and on the SAT.
It is time to get back to that philosophy. It is blatantly obvious that the current methods are not working. Too much central office staff, too few good teachers.
Allen Daniel
Greensboro
Comments (5)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Well said.
Posted on September 5, 2005 8:38 AM
Mr. Daniel, that is the very reason that I do not enter the public education field! Teaching to a test is ridiculous.
Shalom
Posted on September 5, 2005 9:47 AM
Dr. Z was a principal at Greensboro Middle College a few years ago before being "sent to the office." She loves all the kids she serves. She has an amazing heart. She is gifted and intelligent. In short, she's awesome.
Let's remember when we critique the Guilford County School system that there are a lot of immensely caring and wonderfully talented people working there, who are absolutely dedicated to our young people.
Posted on September 5, 2005 11:51 AM
Teaching the test starts in the early grades. Children expect to be taught the test. To think and to learn and to retain, these are parts of an era long gone.
Allen Daniel you have said it all.
Posted on September 5, 2005 5:40 PM
My point may not have been made clearly. What I meant to say was; Teaching a child (or trying) to pass a test is NOT educating a person.
Shalom
Posted on September 5, 2005 8:51 PM