We think so. Consider the following:
“If you don’t pass this one test, you will be repeating your current grade. When I first heard this, I was profoundly confused. Every student is a different type of learner. Some kids can read at very high levels but fail at math, and for some it’s the opposite”.
A quote from Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, at a commencement address?
Nope. It’s from a letter to the editor of the Quad City Times Friday, from a fourth grader. And, if you are convinced, as QC Times ed page editor Mark Ridolfi seems to be, that this is, indeed the work of a fourth grader, then perhaps we have found a successor to Mr. Duncan if he should resign while Mr. Obama is in office.
Here’s the letter in its entirety, as brought to us by the good folks at the QCT:
Recently in class, we have been taking many tests. My teacher had informed us that Iowa has been considering making a reading test. If I am correct, it will determine whether or not you go onto the next grade. If you don’t pass this one test, you will be repeating your current grade. When I first heard this, I was most profoundly confused. Every student is a different type of learner. Some kids can read at very high levels but fail at math, and for some it’s the opposite.
Every child is unique. Some children just need a little extra help in reading, like giving the child an opportunity to work with a reading aide. Each child is like a flower bud; they all sprout at different times. You shouldn’t expect them all to sprout up at once; it takes time.
I am a fourth-grader. My grades are outstanding, but I think keeping a child back because he/she isn’t fully grown yet is very degrading. What hurts even more is that the child’s peers are going to be moving up while they have to repeat the grade because of one or two points off. Please consider giving strong thought to my ideas. I believe this is so important.
We want to emphasis that we do not deny it is the work of a fourth grader, we only observe that it seems on a par with the QC Times own editorial offerings. DLH
