Don’t just doodle over arts education
This is a response to “Arts education a good investment” [Opinion, April 19].
As a volunteer at the Bellevue Arts Museum, I get to work with teens in the Teen Docent Program and see firsthand how art could make a difference in the lives of our young people.
Not only do they learn about art and the technique of making art, but they learn how to talk about the many subjects art addresses, from the environment, wars, politics, travel, different cultures and the world in general. They learn through artist eyes to look more closely at these subjects and what they mean.
Art teaches them to be interested in and speak to subjects outside of their own worlds.
— Barbara Vynne, Bellevue
Away with the math coaching
In the op-ed “Seattle school district, teachers should embrace bold ideas” [April 17], the authors claim research shows that highly effective teaching includes “a focus on different cultural learning styles.” They also advocate “expanded mentoring and coaching programs.”
In education circles, we constantly hear “research shows ….” Oftentimes, such statements are essentially false. I can cite considerable research that shows that the “learning-styles” approach to education is bunk.
What research supports the authors’ claims?
We should eliminate the math-coaching positions we already have. Seattle school district math coaches are used to promote “inquiry-based instruction,” which has been an utter failure in our schools for the last 15 years or so.
I do not want to be “coached” to teach ineffectively. If the coaches are such wonderful teachers, put them back in the classroom. Putting more resources into such useless undertakings makes no sense at all.
— Ted Nutting, Seattle
Build schools, not jails
Strained finances at our schools across state, while we spend millions of dollars on correctional facilities makes me question our priorities. In the United States, we put a higher percentage of our population in jail than any other civilized country. It is long past time that we find another, smarter alternative.
If we do not fund the education of our children, we will need more prisons in the future. A good education is a good way to reduce crime.
Students who graduate with the knowledge and skills to get good jobs are far less likely to commit crimes. Schools need money to give that good education.
It is appalling to see all the news regarding the decline of our educational system and the lack of funds in our schools. If we do not invest in our kids’ futures now, we will pay for it later. We will see far more of an impact on crime if we use our tax dollars on education and other necessary services than we will by any amount spent building more prisons and incarcerating more people.
— Sam Donaghe, Steilacoom