The Sun Journal editorial of Jan. 21 noted that too many Mountain Valley students are struggling; only 17 percent passed math and only 22 percent passed language skills. Is “struggling” the appropriate word? If the Mountain Valley students were swimming, the majority of them would be drowning. Yes, the majority of these students are failing. […]
Richard Sabine
Posted inLetters
Standardized testing useful
New England Common Assessment Program standardized testing in local elementary schools, middle schools and SAT testing in high schools reveal teaching and learning failures. Failure is unpleasant, and some teachers and parents advocate opting out of standardized testing. That might make teaching and parenting easier. It might be easier for students — it won’t improve […]
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Posted inOp-Eds
There is still a hand in my pocket
An obscure moment, frequently recalled, has become indelible. In Auburn, Maine, more than two decades ago, Congressional candidate John Baldacci hosted a barely attended campaign event. It was unremarkable until the candidate and an unknown Franco-American briefly held everyone’s attention. In face-to-face conversation, the old gentleman, whom I will call Vincent, responded to something candidate […]
Posted inLetters
Don’t be satisfied with school system
Newspaper articles and editorials are expected to contain a revelatory comment aptly condensing intent or significance. Newspapers frequently place this comment in bold print above the article. The Sun Journal editorial (May 12) regarding voter apathy is boldly headlined: “Too few voters deciding too many consequences.” But, within the editorial is this revelatory comment: “The […]
Posted inLetters
I apologize for my error
In my letter to the editor, (Feb. 18) I stated that, with the shortening of the school day by one hour, the learning time for pre-K students was reduced. Lewiston Superintendent Bill Webster has convinced me that I was wrong and I am sorry. Although the school day was shortened from six hours to five […]
Posted inLetters
A reduction in learning time
At Longley Elementary School, pre-k students didn’t want to take naps (Sun Journal, Feb. 16). They weren’t tired, they wouldn’t settle down. The state, however, required that when pre-k children spend six hours in school, one hour of rest is required. Longley School, at the suggestion of teachers, requested a waiver. The state granted the […]
Posted inLetters
Don’t accept education’s failure
In a Sun Journal article Dec. 4, “Lewiston Chief: Last year’s test scores ‘worthless,’” local educators belabored last year’s Smarter Balanced test. If the article went no further it would be difficult to find fault. But there are three included items of significance to parents. The first is that when parents found out they had […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, R. Sabine: Use testing to evaluate teachers
In his guest column of March 8, Lewiston School Superintendent Bill Webster praised the Smarter Balanced Assessment test and recommended that parents not opt-out. On those two points, the superintendent and I are in agreement and no one is more surprised, than I. For decades, annual state-mandated standardized testing revealed the unpleasant failure of public […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, J. Handy: Sabine should stick to what he knows
In his column (Feb. 15), Richard Sabine used SAT scores as the final, empirical word in a student’s success. Even the College Board says the SAT does not measure any innate ability. Psychologist Claude Steele points out that the test has been found to measure only about 18 percent of the things that it takes […]
Posted inLetters
R. Sabine: Failing the students
In my guest column, “Time to get tough with educators” (Feb. 15), I explained that the SAT, a standardized test employed to reveal student learning, revealed that more than half of our high school juniors were not proficient in math, reading or writing. I placed blame on state legislators, teachers and other educators in general, […]