Grading system needs another look

I agree that Robert Grant’s guest column about reforming the grading system currently used in the Chapel Hill high schools (“Parents propose that grade system be reformed,” Feb. 17) deserves immediate attention.

In New York City, where I attended public schools, and in the Texas districts where I worked both as a teacher and as a consultant through a university-based national writing project site, numerical grades were used.

As a parent, teacher and private academic coach-tutor in this area for the last 12 years, it has long puzzled me why the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system has chosen the most restrictive grading system approved by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Providing students, parents and colleges with the most information about student achievement can only help raise both student motivation and success.

Furthermore, complete and thorough grade information on report cards is vital feedback that helps students feel rewarded as they move in “successive approximation” towards their goals.

In this district, many students can and do work diligently to move their earned grades from 78 to 84.5 or 85 to 92.5, only to be discouraged when the grades reported to parents and colleges reflect no movement at all. This can be particularly devastating to the 65 percent of student population in our Chapel Hill school system who are not designated “academically gifted,” including special-needs children with learning differences.

With student engagement such a major issue in education today, why continue a practice that promotes discouragement? Since numerical grades are also allowed by the General Assembly, it would only be a win-win to provide the most comprehensive evaluative data to students, parents and colleges.

Here is a reform that has literally no downside. It would cost nothing to change, and it can only increase student motivation and parental awareness. An issue like this can and must be addressed from the top.

-- Robin Poer, Carrboro

Reader finds Clinton stance to be scary

This letter is directed at John Edwards to consider in any decision he makes on an endorsement.

I would like to direct his attention to an article in the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier, Feb. 20, commentary by Steve Chapman headlined “Clinton’s ‘magic wand’ mortgage plan, Obama approach is more realistic.” (I’m sure the Internet-savvy can get to this; it is a must-read).

Basically, Clinton’s ideas are not doable and are dangerous for business, not to mention, cooler heads would prevail, and her ideas wouldn’t be passed. She is touting her program of “freeze foreclosures and interest rates” to hundreds of thousands of folks, who will vote for her on this agenda, but who, in the end, will not realize any benefit.

Also, after study of the health-care problems, Obama’s plan is more realistic and less costly to the government.

If Edwards is sincere about devoting his life to helping the “downtrodden,” Clinton is not the way to go. She is a consummate actress and doesn’t truly give a hoot about the middle, lower classes.

Actually, she scares me to death.

-- C.N. Brown, Charleston, S.C.

Parents appalled by professor’s comments

I have just read an AP release about Albert Harris’ stand on abortion of Down syndrome fetuses and am appalled and disgusted with his comments.

I am a father of five boys (oldest is a sophomore at UNC-Charlotte and my youngest, Carter, who has Down syndrome, is a kindergarten student this year). Although my wife and I adamantly disagree with anyone having an abortion, Harris’ comments go beyond the moral fiber that should exist in public educators, especially in dealing with topics such as this.

Carter is an amazing child who has brought so much joy into the lives of so many within our community. He was diagnosed with AML at the age of 1 1/2 and has been given the “cured” diagnosis from our oncologist in Norfolk, Va. He is thriving within the school system — far exceeding anyone’s expectations and goals for him.

The thought of Harris taking a stand and, even more, encouraging and molding the minds of young college students with such a ridiculous statement is absurd. Other parents/grandparents/relatives of Down syndrome children will take such offense to his comments: “In my opinion, the moral thing for older mothers to do is to have amniocentesis, as soon as is safe for the fetus, test whether placental cells have a third chromosome #21, and abort the fetus if it does. The brain is the last organ to become functional.”

I am proud of the student who took a stand against his statements, and I hope the chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill takes a stand against his comments, which have offended far more than those in his classroom. I cannot imagine the young minds and the lives of so many children that probably have been affected by your misguided statements such as this.

-- Jeff and Lisa Whitt, Manteo

Theatrical season draws readers’ praise

Congratulations/roses to producer Joseph Haj, who is brightening our evenings with an inspired season at PlayMakers Repertory Company.

As former university theater directors, both of us applaud the current rolling-repertory, which has enjoyable, deeply moving performances by Kathryn Hunter-Williams and Julie Fishell in “Doubt,” and by Tyrone Mitchell Henderson and Brandon J. Dirden in “Top Dog.”

Earlier, the sexy, physically striking and beautifully spoken “Romeo and Juliet” showed that what my high school English teacher did her best to misinterpret and castrate can indeed be thrilling on stage.

And thanks to your actors, designers and directors.

-- Chris and Lessie Reynolds, Chapel Hill

Where’s the good news about APS?

Maybe it’s a myth, but it has been said many times that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.” It is only because of this phrase that I could I read your Feb. 24 article “APS on a tight leash” with mixed emotions rather than with distaste.

The loss of the APS charitable solicitation license is indeed a serious mistake on the part of the management that needs correcting. However, I was disappointed by the absence of positive information about the APS and its services. I, along with my wife and two shelter dogs, have benefited tremendously from the APS dog-training program. The program is mostly volunteer-run and focuses on improving the relationship between owners and their dogs.

The combination of an adoption center with a training center allows the APS to place good pets in good homes. The synergy between the training and adoption programs helps keep dogs from returning to the shelter once they’ve been adopted out.

In the spirit of fair journalism, I hope that when their financial situation is clarified, you will be willing to write an article that focuses on the merits of this truly unique nonprofit animal-welfare group.

-- Michael Malone, Durham