WASL is failing our students

As a teacher, I was pleased to see the story “A standard for failure” on page one of Sunday’s Skagit Valley Herald. It’s about time. Discerning minds have long foreseen the educational train-wreck toward which the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is now propelling us.

While noble upon first consideration, the notion that schools must transform 100 percent of students into scholars by the year 2014 is fantasy. Did such perfection come about during the Golden Age of Greece? Sorry, Socrates. How about the Enlightenment? Pardonnez moi, Monsieur Voltaire. Karl Marx thought he had it figured out. Did Stalin’s Five Year Plan bring about perfection in the Soviet Union? Take a guess.

Unfortunately, many of our students would shrug at these historical examples. Social studies “isn’t on the WASL.” Have the readers of the Skagit Valley Herald noticed this result of undue focus on math, reading, writing and science test scores? History and geography have been quietly marginalized. This is but one of the many ways in which testing mania has corroded our schools.

One last thing needs mentioning. When our state got serious about school reform in the 1990s, just before the present era of federal meddling, it was proposed that we issue two kinds of high school diploma. One would include a “certificate of mastery,” given to those who passed their WASLs. High school graduates who “merely” passed all of the traditional requirements would have received a diploma, too, but without that certificate. Whatever happened to that reasonable idea?

Gary Bletsch
Near Lyman


Keep politics out of Sauk tragedy

Well, I haven’t fired up Lee Mann in quite a while. Ultra liberal that he is, he was obviously just waiting for someone to suggest that the Sauk Mountain tragedy was the hiker’s fault. Apparently my last letter was as close as he could get to justify picking up his pen.

I think I was very careful in my letter to share the causes of this accident between both parties. Granted, the greater blame should go to the hunter who made such a poor decision but, again, the boy was only 14. A little orange might have helped.

And let’s define the word “typical” for Mr. Mann. I stated that this was a typical hunting accident only in that it is one of the most common.

Big bear hunter that he is, Mr. Mann need not worry about ever having to hunt next to me. I am not a hunter. I’m a hiker, and I like to hike alone. And guess what? I’ve never worn orange while hiking or been aware of hunting seasons.

So no, Mr. Mann, I would not exclude myself from any suggested legislation that might make the woods a safer place.

I felt compelled to comment on this subject because as a gun owner I feel very badly about this tragedy. Mr. Mann obviously jumped to his pen to further a typical liberal cause. He would like to make sure that only the hunters are held in check, while nature lovers are free to frolic in ignorant bliss.

I made some suggestions to make the woods safer simply to try to make some sense of this tragedy. If Mr. Mann has nothing helpful to add, he should consider leaving his liberal politics at home.

Jerry Hansen
Burlington


Bush, Cheney violate Constitution

Regarding letter writer Matt Burns’ statement, “One thing is for sure though: If Obama becomes our president, it would prove beyond doubt that fools are running the country.”

And, “One day, the true Americans will stand up against all the proposed violations of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Now, could that be why Obama and others like him want to disarm the U.S.?”

I have a question. Which party does Burns think has steadfastly rubberstamped the ignoring of our Constitution these past eight years? He says Obama’s election would prove us all to be fools. I would think the mark of a fool would be anyone willing to let the Republicans remain in power.

Bush and Cheney aren’t proposing violations to our Constitution. They have been busy committing violations all along. I wonder if Burns is spending too much time in FOX News land.

Don Knutsen
Anacortes


McCain an honorable choice

Recently in Denver, a few feet of negative and uncompromising speeches were unleashed on the citizens of this nation. Conservatives should take notice and respond with prudence.

With firm opposition, it’s no way, no how, Nobama. Maybe with this oracle it’s not duty, honor and country, nor is it experience or ability. Maybe it’s a certain pastor, religion, lobbyist or admired mentor who guided and influenced him from childhood into political adulthood.

Perhaps the oratorical skills, suave looks, socialist mentality and voiced promises of their candidate will ultimately fulfill Democrats’ fondest dreams, especially when coupled with their own liberal partisan views.

The media’s favorite liberal guru in this crucial event appears to portray someone very different as he verbalizes, standing on a very thin record of past achievements. More government, higher taxes and creeping socialism is not something some of us look forward to. From liberal candidates we may expect profound changes domestically and globally in our relationships and responses, or lack of them. Our enemies, and some endorsing and enforcing jihad who vow to hasten our demise, will now jump with glee.

I wonder how our former leaders, now facing us on our paper bills, would feel. Might they have some concerns regarding America’s survival?

My shared conservatism gives me a commonality with name, age, place of birth and a camaraderie found in military service. When those others question seasoned experience and dedicated resolve, please remember and consider Winston Churchill at 71 honorably served the U.K. with civility, honor and grace as leader. Winston led his country to victory as our ally during World War II.

With John McCain’s ability, vigor and decision to continue to serve our country in a time of great need, I feel John is an honorable and timely choice.

Many thanks again, American veterans, for your service.

John Wilkinson, U.S. Army Ret.
Anacortes