No incentive

MAP SCORES are never going to be indicative of what the kids can really learn until we have some ways to hold the kids accountable. Since the MAP scores don't count on their grades, there's no way to make students do their best. Don't put too much weight on the MAP scores, and don't blame the low scores on something that it can't be blamed on.

Need new judges

THE FOTO Fest contest in the Missourian and at the mall is a big joke and very unfair. Some people win two times. I went to the mall and saw some really good pictures that should have won and didn't. I think you need different judges.

Not our morality

A RECENT article regarding Missouri Chief Justice Ronnie L. White referred to his child born out of wedlock. Is this the type of morality we want on the Missouri Supreme Court? If I were an attorney, I would have a hard time addressing him as "Your Honor."

No state religion

ARE PEOPLE really this poorly educated about their own Constitution? Alabama could not, under U.S. law, support a state religion. While the U.S. system of federalism maintains control of laws at national, state and local levels, a state law cannot supersede federal law. Why do you think John Ashcroft is going after medical-marijuana users in Oregon and California?

Undesignated meat

JO ANN Emerson does not want you to know where your meat comes from. She proved as much when she voted against recent legislation that would have required meat to be labeled as to country of origin. Foreign countries that ship meat to our markets do not have the safety inspections and cleanliness protections required by our great country. Those products are all mixed in with ours.

No chance at all

THE GAP between many family environments and the ideal public school environment is so gargantuan that the percentage chance for bringing all students up to proficiency level on statewide exams is less than zero.

Cat was struck twice

MY DAUGHTER'S cat was hit by a car and injured in Jackson. As my daughter was walking out to pick up the cat, another car ran over the cat and killed it. I think that was a terrible thing to do.

A sane pet

I THINK I am in my right mind, and I own a pit bull, the most intelligent, loving dog I have ever had.

Bush is a neocon

DAVID LIMBAUGH attempts to defend President Bush and his foreign policy by painting him as an old-time conservative. He says that he's not one of these new neocons. But the neocons seem to be all around him, including his own vice president. So why has he surrounded himself with these people and given them powerful positions of influence if he does not respect their extreme position? His policies follow the neoconservative agenda which is clearly available for everyone to see online. We are now on an extremely costly agenda of world domination that is backfiring. Whether he knows it or not, Bush is a neocon, and we are in trouble.

Stop tapping taxpayers

SO THERE is once again concern that the public schools will suffer if there is not an increase in the tax levy. Why does the burden always fall on taxpayers? Why can't parents pay for their children to participate in extracurricular activities such as band and sports? Is the taxpayer obligated to pay for these extras? Why not have parents pay for bus transportation? If they are of lower income they could get reduced transportation rates much like the reduced meal rates. Most of the parents sending their children to public schools could well afford to pay for these extras. Don't keep asking more and more from the taxpayers.

Cutting everything

SCHOOL OFFICIALS can complain all they want about the dramatic drop in funds available for public schools, but it's not going to matter. The public has spoken loudly and clearly. They demand the elimination of all superfluous programs -- such as academics.

Denying the obvious

DAVID LIMBAUGH denied the record of the Bush administration by deeming it not favorably disposed toward nation building and exporting democracy. Indeed, with the wonks at The Weekly Standard and the likes of Paul Wolfowitz calling the shots, that's exactly what the Bush administration is doing. I support this. Limbaugh should also support this policy and quit denying the obvious.

Destroying the system

ARE YOU kidding me? Editorially encouraging educators to quit griping, get with the No Child Left Behind program and figure out how to raise MAP scores among students in subgroups may be the worst advice ever given by the Southeast Missourian. The only hope these teachers have is to rage even more loudly at the lousy federalization of public education and put pressure on parents and politicians to get rid of a law that is designed to destroy a system that may not be perfect but has generally served the masses well. Continued politicizing of public education will subvert and destroy the entire system.

Vote for the rollback

RESIDENTS OF Jackson: If you're worried about the education your child is receiving, remember to register to vote before Oct. 8 and then go to the polls in November and vote yes on the Proposition C rollback. Your taxes will not be increased. Money generated from this source will be reallocated and allow additional funding from the state to come in. You'll never notice it, but your child's school will.

Privatizing schools

SO THE plan's been revealed to the public. Your editorial on Saturday regarding MAP scores mentions that two years of inadequate scores on the MAP tests result in an improvement plan and giving parents an option to transfer their kids to another school within the district. Hasn't that been the plan all along? Destroy public education so that private corporations can run them? Look at what's happening to education all along the East Coast. It'll be happening here soon.

Hard to make a living

I GET so tired of hearing folks imply that the poor are somehow lazy. With 4 million jobs lost in the last two years, there are plenty of highly trained and motivated people who are willing to work who can't find an employer. And with minimum wage held static by the cheap labor Republicans, there are plenty of working people who can't earn enough, even working two full-time jobs, to rise above the poverty level. The recent congressional action to allow comp time instead of overtime pay has made it harder to earn a living.

Travel arrangements

I FINALLY get it now. The schools have been crying for more money and said it was for the children. Now I see why they beg so loudly. The money is for travel. I guess the next overstaffed administration position will be the official school travel agent.

Test's significance

ARE STUDENTS who score lower on the MAP test less intelligent than those who don't? If intelligence is defined as intellectual capacity (IQ), then in most instances the answer is no. It simply means that for other reasons a significant segment of students exhibit less proficiency in the subject areas than politicians and the larger society think they should. The effect of all of this is that society can remain smug and look down on today's youth in a tsk-tsking fashion. That will reinforce rebellion against the MAP. Of course, if parents took the MAP test, their scores would, compared to the students, make them seem moronic.