Dear Editor,
By her complaints about standardized testing, I will assume
Rachel Oberstadt (Jan. 2) is a public-school teacher. And by her
poor grammar,
”
… how well a child can use their imagination’
”
I will assume she teaches in Gilroy (or works for the teachers’
union).
Dear Editor,
By her complaints about standardized testing, I will assume Rachel Oberstadt (Jan. 2) is a public-school teacher. And by her poor grammar, “… how well a child can use their imagination'” I will assume she teaches in Gilroy (or works for the teachers’ union). Although I agree that a “well-rounded curriculum” includes math, reading, writing, science, art, social studies, music, and physical education, I hope she is not suggesting forcing students to take all, or even most, of the last five named!
Math, reading, and writing are the essentials, which each of us needs to properly function in ANY line of work and personal management. Therefor, these are the only three on which testing need be. “How well a child can draw and how well a child can use his imagination to write a creative story” is not going to get him a job! There is a reason the arts are always begging for taxpayer support.
Said five should be mere electives, but by all means, be offered! Such optional courses make the school day more interesting. I can relate: Certain art and language courses were my favorites, to which I looked forward and applied (along with math) outside of school. But there is no way I would get anything but an F in music.
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
