Dear Editor:
In her response to my letter, Denise Baer Apuzzo has jumped to
the conclusion that something she wrote in her column helped me
draw the conclusion that honors classes should be offered to
qualified students.
Dear Editor:
In her response to my letter, Denise Baer Apuzzo has jumped to the conclusion that something she wrote in her column helped me draw the conclusion that honors classes should be offered to qualified students.
She also assumes I couldn’t have possibly read her entire column or I would be further enlightened. Denise, prior to reading your column, I felt the school district should be offering challenging classes to those students who can benefit from those courses. I also have felt a lot more should be done to help every child reach their full potential regardless of their circumstances.
The only thing your column did for me is acquaint me with the “elitist” attitude others have associated with advanced placement. I would never consider insinuating that a child who is academically gifted is socially inept (which is a common stereotype). To refer to a child’s attempt at anything as lame without knowing the full circumstances is insulting. Perhaps you should go back and read your column and see how others would view your references to classes full of children who don’t have any concept of what it takes to learn compared to those few honors students that have a good work ethic, etc. Improvement needs to be made at all levels, whether it is challenging those gifted students or providing remedial education to bring children up to grade level. How can a child develop a good work ethic if they have a need that is not being addressed?
No, Denise, I don’t think any parent demanding a quality program is being elitist unless they sound as if only certain children can benefit from the extra resources required of the school district to provide the best possible education for all children. I am glad your are an advocate for Slingerland and other programs that work but in your column you mention years of social promotion that has kept children illiterate. Current research indicates that retention is not beneficial. So what is the solution? No, I don’t think it lies in a program that only makes children feel good about themselves but in one that equips them with the needed skills to move forward. I agree with Rob Van Herk’s letter to the editor in which he states “we need to improve things for all 9,000 students,” not just the few who some might feel will be the most successful.
In conclusion, you are right Denise, I do not have the good fortune of having met your daughter. I am sure she is a lovely child with a bright future. Having never met the student in Larry Slonaker’s class (I did read the series myself and did not learn about it from your column) that wrote “Where’s my shoes at?,” I would never conclude that child is not blessed in some way and I hope the school district comes through with the resources that child needs. I only hope that child or her family is not offended by you using that as your “personal catch phrase” to refer to someone that you “assume” is inept.
Sharon Flanagan, Gilroy
Submitted Friday, Nov. 22 to ed****@ga****.com
