Lack of Quality in ‘Quantity’ Education

Re “The Riddle of ‘Noninstructional Instruction,”’ May 9: I am shocked that people cannot see the central issue here. Most workers take for granted that they are allowed two paid, 15-minute breaks during their daily work schedule. Teachers are exempted from this law. Passing periods at most middle schools last four or five minutes, leaving no time for teachers to go to the restroom, rest or take care of business outside the classroom. The longest break of the day is lunch, which usually lasts about a half-hour.

Why do Americans believe that more is better? More testing, more days in the school year, more hours in the day--more, more, more. Perhaps it is because we have always been told the lie that if we can pound more information down children’s throats, that if we standardize the school system (testing, curriculum), that if we just force kids to learn and be more “productive” (as though we’re some capitalist factory), we will be a more successful nation.

No, all we are doing is creating drones who hate learning and hate school. Their perception is that learning involves memorizing meaningless dates and facts. What we need is a learning environment that nurtures, connects the material to the students’ lives, emphasizes critical thinking and teaches them how to learn so that they can continue doing so in the future. School can actually be enjoyable, but the Bush era is still pushing for mediocrity. Remember: Less is more.

Mike Saltz

Anaheim

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My child went to school this morning after having a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast. These steps were strongly encouraged by teachers and the principal in various communications during the past two weeks. It will be particularly important that our children sleep and eat during this period so that they can fill in test bubbles for the next two weeks. This is called “accountability” in political terms and helps the people in Sacramento understand that children in economically advantaged areas score better than children in economically disadvantaged areas. Maybe the people in Sacramento need a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast.

Elissa Tognozzi

Santa Monica