E.D Hersh

Dear E.D. Hersh,

I want to point out that preparing students for standardized tests is not the way to teach them. They need to be learning more life skills and become prepared for the outside world to become good citizens. Most people think that teachers and students can do what they want within a classroom, and it is true that depending on the district, that some teachers can get away with more than others but there needs to be a standard within the teaching realm as well. There are few teachers that are actually held up to the standard of teaching that we are trying to obtain in this country. Granted, I teach at a private school, but wouldn't you think that a private education is supposed to be "better" than the alternative public school. If that is the case, then why is it that I find so many private school teachers who are unwilling to put in any extra time to help another student learn. At the previous private school that I was at, I played the role of the Athletic Director and Phys Ed teacher. I can't even begin to tell you how many days I spent after school or coming into school an hour early to help students with their math homework or help proofread a paper for them. When I began to question why they were asking me and not their teacher of that subject, they would tell me they already had and that the teacher was unwilling to stay and help. What are we teaching the children of today with that kind of attitude?