'Gotcha education' is wrong
ODIS BRYAN

I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Jim Largent for his article in the latest copy of the Cherokeean Herald where he states, "Texas practices 'Gotcha Education.'" The points he made about the current system used to grade schools were well made.

For several years, regardless of the name given the tests, we have witnessed the change from teaching educational courses as a first priority, to teaching how to take the tests. The reason for doing this is understandable when one considers what a failure in only one area means, as Dr. Largent sets forth. What a let down for teachers who try their best to teach all students.

With all of the problems with which our school teachers and administrators have to deal, it is amazing that most of them will continue to teach and serve our communities with the desire that our children grow up with the ability to do more than walk up and down the streets after graduation.

Change sometimes comes when enough people know how to affect the change, and who are willing to stand up together and insist that those in places of authority join the rest of us in the real world. It is not uncommon to bear the phrase, "It's for the children" at school board elections, bond elections for school improvements, etc.

While such may be true, isn't the whole education process, for our children? It seems to me people in positions of authority make changes when enough pressure is brought to bear on them. What can be done to remedy the current situation? How and upon whom can the citizens join together and begin to apply that pressure so this idiotic situation can be corrected?

We are asking so much from our educators and administrators in our public schools. Surely they all need our encouragement.

May every one of us make time to contact an educator or administrator, and tell them we appreciate the effort they are putting into the future of our most prized possession, our children.