In Defense of School Testing

The claim that the results of testing “give us no useful information” is simply not true. Measurement is the fundamental prerequisite for improvement.

Although educators and policymakers will never hit it exactly right, movement toward creating better assessments does occur, and each step forward builds upon that success.

I’ve been an educator for approximately 40 years, and have lived through many initiatives in education. All were well intentioned but imperfect in one way or another. But we teach our children that failure is a constructive part of learning. Why should it be any different for policymakers? The poorest initiatives die; the better ones evolve through revision. We would be failing in our work if we didn’t constantly evaluate and re-evaluate the results of our efforts.

I agree with Diane Ravitch (“Group Urges ‘Opt Out’ of School Tests,” April 4) that too much time is spent preparing for tests and that time could be better used providing students with a fuller curriculum, including the arts. But the teachers I observe are more thoughtful in their approaches to instruction than ever before. I see children reading at levels higher than they did eight years ago. Although math performance across grades continues to be less of a success story, math instruction is improving as best practice begins to fall in line with the Common Core Standards.

Teachers have become more intentional in their teaching. They are paying attention to what all the assessments are telling them about their students’ thinking and about how well their teaching methods are, or are not, working.

I have not observed that “high stakes” standardized tests have a traumatic effect on students. (They are more likely traumatic for teachers and parents.) Students have had so much testing in recent years it’s become “business as usual.”

The article suggests the real source of inequality in American society is poverty. But if a good education is needed to rise out of poverty, then keeping kids home on the day of testing isn’t going to help. It skews the data and only makes it harder for teachers to do their jobs.

Ros Seidel

Cornish

Interpreting the Codes

I am pleased to see that at least one developer has taken to reading the building codes as well as quoting them in letters to the editor. We are moving ahead. He then proceeds to interpret them. I read them very differently. However, nether he nor I are authorized to interpret them as he quoted from Section 104.1 General, second sentence. “The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code . . .”

Rich Acker

Norwich

Support for Sanders

Why isn’t Sen. Leahy supporting Bernie Sanders? When over 80 percent of Vermont’s primary vote went for Sanders, why isn’t Leahy representing the people instead of the status quo Democratic elites and special interests? I’m really disappointed in his placing a personal promise to Hillary Clinton above his obligation to and representation of the voters of Vermont. Time for him to apologize and reverse his decision.

I’ve always supported Sen. Leahy, but I won’t contribute to his campaign unless he pledges his superdelegate vote to Bernie.

Charles McKenna

Wilder

Dangers of Social Media

Marie Wiggins’ letter on April 11 headlined, “Dark Side of Social Media,” hit the nail on the head. Girls who have come to feel their self-worth hinges solely on how others view them, especially in terms of pornographic standards, have already lost their self-worth. Rating others this way destroys in turn their basis for self-esteem and real friendship, too.

What young people need to learn is how to develop and keep real friendships. They also need to develop at least one genuine interest or skill that can provide an anchor through the social storm. This can begin in a school sport or study, or it might originate outside of school. Whatever it is, they need to be supported to take it up to real competence. This will be a source of pride and confidence that the winds of social approval, the ups and downs, can’t destroy. Less practical hobbies can be as useful as the very practical — the key is in the degree of interest and growing mastery.

Sometimes it is a single thing a young person loves and learns to do well, or one real friend, or one helpful, interested adult, who can make all the difference. No young person’s emotional energy and attention should ever be completely squandered on just trying to maintain a popularity rating or to appear attractive by somebody else’s standards. Rather than respect, ironically, this approach results in attack and abuse, as everyone’s foundation disappears into the same moral swamp. Young people need to be putting their energy into developing the skills, knowledge and fitness for adult life, and the rest of us ought to be encouraging and helping them do it.

Cecelia Blair

Windsor

Easy Guide to Co-op Voting

Margaret Drye’s April 11 letter criticizing the articulate William Craig’s wonderful points (Forum, April 5) about progress and problems at the Co-op is to my mind one of the best endorsements William Craig could receive.

Similarly, my voting is made simpler by what I see as an improper process used by the old guard’s nominating committee. Because four progressive candidates were “not chosen” and marked with a scarlet letter (asterisk) on the ballot, I need to simply “Vote Asterisk.”

My fifth vote will go to Phil Pochoda.

Robert Spottswood

Norwich

At Stake in Co-op Vote

Today we have 10 candidates running for five seats on the Co-op board, something unheard of when I  was on the board (2002-2008), when we were lucky to get one or two candidates more than spots that were open. Co-op members today also attend more board meetings, talk more about transparency around management and board decisions, and turn out more often to vote in board elections. I view this all as very good news. 

This growth in member involvement has its roots in a response to management missteps and business struggles; the organization Concerned about the Co-op (CATC), however, has played a big role in giving voice to member concerns. For the last two years, CATC has raised issues, provided policy recommendations and encouraged members to attend and speak up at board meetings. These efforts have not always generated calm and deliberate debate — democracy is often messy — but overall, I believe that CATC has been an important and positive force for change at the Co-op.  I support their efforts to seek out and endorse candidates for the board who are committed to openness about Co-op operations and finance, more respectful and empowering employment policies, and more attention to member concerns in board oversight of Co-op management.  

CATC is supporting Liz Blum, Ann MacDonald, Don Kreis, William Craig and Phil Pochoda, who bring an impressive range of skills, knowledge and connections to their candidacies: management and governance experience, involvement in the cooperative movement, expertise in moderating and facilitating meetings, backgrounds in journalism and communication, and understanding of worker concerns at cooperative and progressive businesses. I believe these candidates, along with the thoughtful and board-experienced Benoit Roisin, would all serve the Co-op and member interests well.

Voting in board elections, whomever you support, is essential to addressing member-owner concerns and turning Co-op dreams into reality. I urge all members to take advantage of this opportunity and to turn in their ballots or vote online (www.mycoopvote.com) before the end of April.

Richard A. Schramm

Quechee

Who Is Hartford’s Most Senior Citizen?

The Hartford Historical Society is actively seeking the name of the oldest resident in the town of Hartford so we can present to him or her the official Hartford Cane on the Fourth of July.

We need the public’s help in determining who that person might be. Please contact the society at info@hartfordhistoricalsociety.com or call me at 802-295-2123 if you have someone in mind. You will need to provide us with the person’s name, date of birth, contact information and village of residence.

Thank you for your assistance!

Mary Nadeau

Hartford Historical Society

A New Idea for Older Readers

I read the article about getting books to older readers and thought I’d pass along another idea (“Reaching Out To Older Readers: Hartford Library Workers Bring Books To Residents at Senior Living Centers,” April 10). I have a 100-year-old friend who told me one day that she would really like to read more current books, but she needed large print editions and her library mostly had older books in large print. She also found the books too heavy to hold.

I had an old Kindle that I sent to her and we worked out a way to get books downloaded on it. Now she can read any books she wants because she can increase the size of the font and the device is very lightweight. Perhaps others would like to try that idea.

Blakeney Bartlett

Fairlee