English-Only School Tests

Re “Zacarias Seeks to Defy Wilson on Tests in English,” Feb. 10: LAUSD Supt. Ruben Zacarias’ latest recommendation to the Board of Education to question and possibly refuse to test non-English students using a test in English is realistic and should be supported. Taxpayers need to appreciate and acknowledge his common sense.

The governor wants to test children in a language they cannot read. It is a waste of resources, time and money for state taxpayers. This is to say nothing about the loss of self-esteem for children and teachers alike.

The state’s response that we (LAUSD) don’t want to be held accountable is ridiculous. If these students are tested, we will be subjected to lists of test scores that will be meaningless and will not prove anything about bilingualism, class-size reduction or literacy.

LORAINE MASON

San Gabriel

* The problems of LAUSD have little to do with testing, but with a curriculum that has been hijacked by ethnocentric activists. I have watched my children sit helplessly as, all year long, one group after another has a forum to expound upon how they have been wronged by this country and its people.

In a district that is 88% minority (before the gender factor), I have watched as a popular college-prep course is offered to the “historically underrepresented” and my protests greeted by taunts.

When LAUSD gets out of the race business and into the teaching business, the type of testing will become irrelevant.

ANTHONY T. KOSS

Encino