Rethink Common Core approach - and more letters to the editors

Rethink Common Core approach

Gov. Bill Haslam and other officials are seeking to create consistency among education standards, programs and testing.

Maybe the problem is that our standards (Common Core) are not where they need to be to successfully institute compatible testing.

Common Core seems to be on "life support."

If they were to fund a new program with different (higher?) standards, it seems to me that it would be easier to design a new test that would effectively test student's knowledge based on the new education program.

Then teachers would not complain that the tests don't match; parents would feel more confident in the education their children receive; and students would not be frustrated when their tests don't line up with what they studied.

CAITLIN BROWN, Collegedale


Let's make climate change our priority

My husband and I joined over 310,000 people in New York City on Sept. 21 to march in the People's Climate March.

Everyone was there to send a message to global leaders that it is time to take definitive action on climate change. It has since been touted as the largest environmental march in American history.

I get chills remembering the alarm of voices, bells and musical instruments that was raised at 1 p.m. by people of all religions, races and nationalities.

There were babies being pushed in strollers alongside elderly people in wheelchairs. Kids carrying their own handmade signs. Teens worried about their future. Everyone, together in one common goal, with the need to make our global leaders listen.

Climate change is no longer a "tree-hugger" issue.

As Ricken Patel said the next day, "When scientists start swearing, it's time to worry." It is time, as a nation, as a planet, to put our resources and collective ingenuity toward renewable energy.

Our government gives the fossil fuel industry way more subsidies than renewables. It's time to ask ourselves: Why?

ALICE & JIM DEMETREON Whitwell, Tenn.


Who will watch the watchers?

The death of this state trooper [in Pennsylvania] was predictable. People should not expect anything other than what is beginning to happen.

Americans are finally getting tired of law enforcement's brutal tactics and totalitarian behavior.

Others have already said it better than I could. Sic semper tyrannis (Thus be it always to tyrants).

The police in this country have killed over 5,000 citizens since the 9/11 event. This matches the number of troops we have lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This should tell the government and law enforcement that Americans are not going to tolerate the logic of empire very much longer. They are completely fed up and, thanks to the Second Amendment, they have the arms to do something about it.

Police are supposed to be the guardians of the people, not their executioners.

Now the other question that the Romans asked is becoming very important: "Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?" (Who will watch the watchers?).

RICHARD W. SHULTZ


Watch wallets if UAW comes

If the UAW comes to Volkswagen, employees are going to have an immediate reduction in pay with the commencement of union dues.

WALTER DANLEY

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