The new SAT: Ready for prime time?

By including a new writing section on the SAT (“Is the new SAT ready for prime time?” Speak Out, May/June 2005), the importance of good writing is conveyed to the population. I agree with the essay because if students score poorly on this section, [they might be more likely] to see this is a weak spot and then work to strengthen their writing skills. I also believe that the [test’s] graders will do their work fairly, and that working at a computer rather than a desk does not change a student’s work. 
 
—Jessica Gardner
Tallahassee, Fla.

Both Edward Hardin and Pat Welsh developed cohesive arguments concerning the new essay component of the SAT. And I must admit that I was agreeing with Mr. Hardin until I read Mr. Welsh’s rebuttal. Common sense tells us that writing a 25-minute essay won’t truly change what’s in place in individual classrooms. My AP students struggled to compose an essay in 40 minutes. Evaluation involved thoughtful, intense readings.

Forget the idea of farming out the SAT essays to a British firm that sets up a network of graders. Either do it right or don’t do it at all. Or, better yet, leave essay writing to the AP exams.

—Kay Powell
Niles, Ill.

The future of Social Security

Thank you for the excellent news articles in the April 2005 American Teacher about the growing threats posed by the Bush Administration to Social Security and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to public employee pensions. Defined-benefit or guaranteed pensions such as Social Security and teacher retirement systems are vital if the United States is to remain a prosperous nation with large middle and working classes.

Does anyone notice the irony between the Bush administration’s assertion that [its] ongoing federal budget and trade deficits are nothing to worry about, but possible deficits in Social Security several decades from now require drastic action this year?

Those of us who desire to protect Social Security for generations to come should insist that there be no diversion of Social Security funds into private or personal accounts, no cuts in benefits, and that any modification of Social Security must result in no increase in the debt of the federal government.

—Thomas Ellis
Albany, N.Y.

Smaller special ed classes

I certainly agree with Scott Pittman (American Teacher, May/June 2005, “The view from the classroom,” page 16) that elected leaders should reduce class size to no more than 22 if they really want to reform public schools. But I’d like to take his suggestion a step further. Special education/resource classes need to be smaller yet. I am a speech-language pathologist who has had the occasional opportunity to team teach in high school resource English classes. I have been in classes that had as many as 30 students—with a variety of diagnosed disabilities in each class—and reading levels that ranged from complete nonreader to fairly fluent. The students in any given class were ages 14 to 20. The teacher had several of these classes each day.

How on earth can a teacher be expected to teach each student according to an individualized education plan (IEP) in that setting?  If you want real reform, try limiting resource class size to 12—and give the teacher an assistant who is there every day.

—Cara Sroges
Fort Wingate, N.M.

No smiles for Wal-Mart

“Don’t be fooled by the smiley face” (American Teacher, May/June 2005) rings true to my spouse and me. My husband has worked for Wal-Mart for 11 years. We are blessed to have my good health benefits. Even with my teaching income it would be a stretch for my family of four to have to rely on Wal-Mart’s health insurance. Benefits are not the only issue, as we have all heard. This company that began with good intentions has grown into a company that the founding family should be ashamed of.

A few years ago, my husband was offered a position with another company that provided an opportunity to use his skills and to advance. Wal-Mart refused to release him. Wal-Mart, however, has hired people from this other company. The only way for advancement with Wal-Mart is to be a “yes” person. Don’t try thinking for yourself because you will be shown the door. 
 
Name withheld