GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

Letters/My View

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE CHANGES IN POLICY: Commenters are required to have a username with a valid and verified email address. Gloucestertimes.com reserves the right to ban the IP address of any commenter (person) found using multiple aliases under multiple e-mail addresses in a deceptive manner. Posts that do not meet site standards, which can be found here, will be removed.


If you are experiencing problems logging in or posting comments, please contact Disqus' help center by clicking here.
comments powered by Disqus
October 5, 2012

Letter: The 'flaw' in the schools debate

Gloucester Daily Times

To the Editor:

I thank Mr. Romney in Wednesday night’s presidential discussion session for mentioning the same flaw about education that has been popular here.

That flaw is that “schools need to be competitive.”

What we need are schools that promote and enhance the competence of teachers and staff so that they can achieve their goals of helping students become educated and help them find ways to enjoy learning. That is not what we can expect from competitive schools.

Passing tests in pre-collegiate classes correlate well with grades in upper levels of education. Passing those tests does not adequately predict employment competence or work satisfaction.

We do not need students who score higher on a series of tests. We need, and should want, children who are educated and will work the rest of their lives to remain educated.

I managed a team of 20 people on a programming project with individuals whose academic qualifications ranged from High School graduates to Ph.D.’s. Each worked where he or she excelled. The intellectual fire mattered, not the degree, not the test scores. The ability to seriously consider ideas from others mattered.

The willingness to think others just might have a great idea mattered more than a concern about a pet idea. The humility and the resulting team strength was fabulous. Out of the 20, only three were educated in this country.

ARTHUR THOMAS

Gloucester

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Letters/My View

NDN Video
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone" Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song Justin Bieber Gets Booed RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem