Standardized tests would show how much was lost without in-person education

Former Dresden School District Superintendent Wayne Gersen weighs in against so-called “standardized tests” with the usual litany of reasons (“I forgive Biden his broken promise on standardized tests — for now,” April 2). He writes: “The reasons for suspending tests during this year are compelling.”

Au contraire.

Continuing the tests is what’s compelling this year. We may never in our lifetimes have such a robust demonstration of how much is lost without in-person instruction.

We should call on educators everywhere to insist on continued testing this year so that everyone can see what’s gained and lost in the classroom.

ROBIN CARPENTER

Lebanon

Vaccine protects neighbors, as well as ourselves

To those who won’t be vaccinated I ask this question: If the United States were under attack and we were asked to defend our country and our neighbors, wouldn’t we do that?

Vaccinating is not just protecting oneself, it is protecting our neighbors as well. If we do not follow this protocol, we risk variants morphing and becoming resistant to our current vaccines.

And to those who say it’s only a small percentage of people who die, well, as a friend of someone who did die a horrible death from this disease, I resent seeing those victims as a statistic.

If we do not vaccinate, if we do not mask, then our hospitals will be overrun with cases and the next time “little Johnny” breaks his leg, he will have no ER to go to.

ALINE ORDMAN

White River Junction

Biking would disrupt quiet Tunbridge trail

The trail at the end of Orchard Road in Tunbridge is the home of many wild animals and birds.

They would be disrupted by the intrusion of bikers and driven off (“Town tries to clarify trail-use policy,” March 23). It is a quiet area where people can enjoy the beauty of nature.

At a time when so many wildlife areas are being taken away, it would be saddening to see this one go, too.

MEL GOERTZ

Tunbridge

Wary of debt owed to China

For many years the Chinese have required students to study reading, writing and speaking English.

Why? We owe them $1.1 trillion.

ROGER SMALL

Claremont

The United States is being taken down from within

Here is something to make note of (from Those Who Remain, by G. Michael Hopf): “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times.”

Now this what it’s about. We are not the United States that was stabbed in the back by the sneak attack on Dec. 7, 1941. We are a divided country. The Chinese Communist Party and the Russians are celebrating. They are taking us down from within.

If the sleeping giant doesn’t wake up soon, we can all kiss our freedoms goodbye.

God bless America!

LARRY GREENWOOD

Plainfield