93°F
weather icon Clear

LETTER: Social promotion only exacerbates problems in Nevada’s schools

Perhaps members of the Nevada Association of School Psychologists might want to rethink their attempts to lobby state legislators. The Review-Journal reports that the group feels being held back is “not good for mental, social and emotional health” (Feb. 8, “Psychologists don’t want third-graders held back”). My thoughts:

1. Each year of social promotion tends to increase and compound the number of skills not mastered.

2. It is far better to irritate a child’s psyche through retention at the third-grade level than to allow year after year of academic failure until the student becomes a disruption, amasses a tremendous number of absences and fails to graduate.

3. Teachers find themselves trying to teach to the highest level possible while also attempting remediation for the under-performing kids. Teachers try to assist this group by offering after-school sessions, individual instruction, specialized homework and/or parent/teacher conferences, for example, but the load is overwhelming.

4. We must realize that mathematics is, in essence, a language. Many students who are not literate in reading are also not literate in mathematics. Pardon the expression, but that becomes a “double whammy” as the school years pass by.

My advice is to retain at the third-grade level and “nip it in the bud,” as the saying goes.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
LETTER: No conspiracy involving Hunter’s laptop

The R-J should acknowledge that Mr. Trump’s lies, frauds, defamations, criminal indictments and convictions are exponentially worse than Hunter’s laptop being evidence or any of the other alleged Biden missteps.

LETTER: Trump tries to win Nevada

Mr. Trump advocating for tax-free tip income is definitely one approach to winning Nevada. But my tip to Mr. Trump is to pick Marco Rubio and show the diversity of the GOP.

LETTER: Red Rock development ‘compromise’ is depressing

Red Rock Canyon is a fragile natural wonder. To claim that 3,500 homes and the traffic that goes with them, and changing the nature of the watershed, will not negatively impact the area is absurd.

LETTER: Russian warships off the Florida coast

It’s strange that the mainstream media are treating Russian combat ships miles off the Florida coast as nothing to see here.

LETTER: Columnist gaslights about Donald Trump

Mr. Trump would have not won if his affair with Stormy Daniels had been made public after the “Access Hollywood” tapes in which Mr. Trump brags that he grabs women by the genitals.

LETTER: A balanced approach on the energy transition

We will never be free of fossil fuels. A balanced approach is needed. Politically doctrinaire positions on both sides won’t help us resolve the current problems.