School time not put to best use
1/19/2013Instead of blaming the arrangement of the school year for students’ woes, perhaps our schools should look at how school time is used (“Push to lengthen school year catches on; Issue centers on desire to balance U.S. competitiveness, vacations,” Jan. 14).
My grandson often has come home from school saying that his class was shown a movie that was not curriculum-related, or instruction time was otherwise wasted.
I have had teachers say that there would be homework every night, then my grandson comes home without homework because students were given class time to do it. Class time should be for instruction; homework should be done at home.
Better use of present school days probably would increase learning outcomes. However, I am not against increasing the school year by a few days.
MARTHA GROSS
East Lincolnshire Boulevard
Teachers don’t want to teach to test
Many frustrated teachers say test preparation and data collection are at the center of education, with standardized test score results the main measure of school quality.
There is intense pressure to raise students’ scores, but the premise of higher numbers equating to a better education is simplistic. Professionals must be free to teach their students, not train them to fill in the correct bubble on an answer sheet.
Not everything that is important is able to be measured on a test. There is no bubble to fill in that demonstrates integrity, appreciating differences, or curiosity about learning.
When adults reflect upon teachers who had a positive effect on them, they do not make references to those who taught good test-taking skills.
JUDY YOUNG
Oak Glen Drive
Editor’s note: The writer is a retired Toledo Public Schools teacher.
Doctor in article helps Toledoan
Thank you for the Dec. 24 article “Brain medicine: Florida doctor gives stroke survivors new shot at mobility, independence.” Because of your article, my husband made an appointment with the doctor who was featured in it, Dr. Edward Tobinick.
My husband saw Dr. Tobinick in Florida on Jan. 5. My husband’s health improved following the treatment.
My husband is returning for a second, final treatment this month.
JANE WILLIS
Turnbridge Road
Southwyck site a made-in-U.S. spot?
Here’s an idea for the vacant lot where Southwyck Mall used to be: Develop it into a shopping destination for items made in America.
The store could be built using American-made construction materials and constructed by local building trades. What an opportunity this would be for the Glass City.
What if Toledo Mayor Mike Bell used his time and travel expenses to promote this dream rather than spend local tax dollars to go to China?
BRUCE MAXWELL
Maumee