Comments about ‘Letter: With our national scores falling, it is about time we fix education’

The author of this opinion piece, Trent E. Kaufman, must surely know that it is the national education system that is broken. Trying to blame the states for the failures of our federal government is like trying to blame Mitt Romney for Obama's failure in the first presidential debate.

The bast, most cost effective way to improve education is to take it away from the federal government and place it back in the hands of the states where people with some minimal amount of common sense can manage it ..... correctly.

No Child Left Behind ..... a concept where you dumb down those who want to learn while waiting for those who don't to catch up.

I am a parent now, but I grew up in Davis County years ago. When my kids were in junior high I became aware how much education has gone downhill since I went to school. Specifically geometry and physics education. Geometry used to be about reasoning and problem solving, i.e. proofs, by the time my oldest was taking geometry about 5 years ago, it had become about memorizing facts. Theorms were no longer proved by students but memorized.

Again when my oldest was taking physics, I became found the physics teacher was just handing them formulas to use for specific situations, where the students would plug in the numbers and get the right answers. When I took physics in the same high school years earlier, we used to derive the formulas not memorize them and then have to be told where to plug the numbers in.

I informed the Davis School board and administration of this, they were oh so polite, but wouldn't commit to fix anything and so far they haven't. I wrote a bill which could have fixed this, it was passed by the Utah Senate but rejected by the house.

Utah education needs vouchers.

An excellent letter that asks a very important question.

But remember, it is the stated goal of Utah's GOP to eliminate public education in favor of some sort of privatized scheme.

For the first time in my life, I will vote a straight ticket in a few days. And it won't be for those with a big R beside their names.

Re: one old man Ogden, UT
"For the first time in my life, I will vote a straight ticket in a few days."

There are two excellent democratic candidates in my voting district that deserve, and will get, my vote. On the national level you might find it interesting to see who the Vegas oddsmakers are putting their money on for victory in November.

Are those the same Vegas oddsmakers who are trying to buy the Presidency for Mitt?

The facts about 5th graders may be correct, but is there any evidence that as soon as Herbert took office grade school children stopped achieving? Simplistic misrepresentations of isolated facts are not the basis for deciding on candidates.

Re: one old man Ogden, UT
"Are those the same Vegas oddsmakers who are trying to buy the Presidency for Mitt?"

No, those are the people who make their living betting on the odds ... and winning.

Always remember...
One of the numerous "Mitt Romney's" said, not too long ago. "This country has enough teachers, policemen, and fireman".
He did not specify if that was math and science teachers.
Problem is....which Romney will be "there" if elected.

Well, Rifle, if they do manage to win, we can all sleep easy because ALL of America's challenges will go away within 90 days.

Right?

Republican plan to save money in education is simple (like most of their answers) a single black book to teach english, math, history, and mystic sciences minus biology of course that's dirty.

Mitt has coupon for you to go to school, and you don't need be to smart since no college unless you gots cash plan.

Blaming education woes on one person is simplistic. Yes, education needs an overhaul. No, vouchers won't solve the problem for everyone. They only solve the problem for the wealthy and those with a parent who can drive students to a "better" school. Vouchers further separate the classes. I do suggest that if a child, in any grade, cannot pass that years curriculum, he/she should be held back to repeat that grade. Then the pressure is put back on the child and his/her parents. No child left behind was never funded like it was intended. Where is the parental responsibility? Where is the district responsibility to raise test scores? What is the child's responsibility? And do not compare us with other nations. It is like comparing apples to bread.