Get iPods, cellphones out of classrooms

To the editor:

I taught mathematics in Los Angeles for 30 years and retired to Las Vegas about four years ago. For the better part of the past two years, I have been a volunteer math coach at my local high school. After spending hundreds of hours in the classroom with the teacher and students, I’ve been able to come up with a list of observations.

Most shocking was the lack of student motivation. Students were in “copy-it-down” and “turn-it-in” mode.

Almost no critical thinking was occurring. Students did not use a textbook and had close to no homework. The math skills of most students were many grade levels behind where they should be. Students conducted loud conversations among themselves during instruction. In my opinion, the vast majority weren’t developing the skills and work habits to go on to college.

For many students, their cellphone or iPod was of more importance than their education. Many entered and exited the classroom with earbuds in their ears. They checked their emails and text messages during class by trying to hide their phones under their desks. Some even listened to music during instruction.

Often they would even plug in their electronics in a wall socket to recharge. It was a never-ending battle for the teacher and for me to get them to follow the rules and put their electronics away.

I encourage new Clark County School District Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky to develop and enforce a ban of these items on all secondary campuses. If a student needs to use the phone for an important reason, that student should do so in front of an administrator. Exposed electronics should be confiscated and only returned to a parent.

If such a policy was enforced, student attention would increase and test scores would improve. I have a hunch that my observations would be similar if I volunteered in other high schools. It would be great if I’m wrong.

JEFF ALPERT

NORTH LAS VEGAS

51s stadium

To the editor:

There are many opinions about the Las Vegas 51s baseball club and its home stadium, Cashman Field. I’m of the opinion that the team and field should remain in place.

I attend 10 or more games per season. I don’t drive, so I ride the RTC bus to the games. If the 51s were to move to Summerlin, the games would be out of reach for me and many others.

I understand that the new owners would want funding from taxes for this new stadium complex — money that would come out of the pockets of fans and nonfans alike. Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to use the funds they have on hand to make upgrades to Cashman? So the batting cages and locker rooms aren’t so great. Gee whiz, isn’t this Triple-A baseball? Don’t the players get all that good stuff if and when they’ve earned their way to the major leagues?

Besides, isn’t the city fighting hard to revitalize downtown? Detractors say Cashman Field is in a blighted area. I agree that the ballfield is just blocks away from the homeless corridor. But Cashman is surrounded by the Natural History Museum and the Old Mormon Fort, and across the street is the Las Vegas Library and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.

Cashman Field is a nice facility. A few upgrades would make it better. Taking the team out of downtown would leave a void needing to be filled at more expense.

RICHARD RASMUSSEN

LAS VEGAS

Parents should pay

To the editor:

If children cannot speak English by the time they are of school age, they should not be enrolled. The parents should, at their own expense, enroll the children in an English learning class. The $50 million recently approved for English Language Learner programs could be well-spent on the English speaking students, teachers and schools.

Driver authorization cards are another matter. A bus should be at the back door of the Department of Motor Vehicles to take the illegal immigrants back to their homes. Illegal immigrants are breaking the law and should be deported, not given legal authorization cards. Do you really believe they will buy auto insurance?

CAROL KUHN

LAS VEGAS