Journal Article-June 29-Page B9

School achievement lacking. Article states that lack of discipline/ lowering standards just to pass kids/ curriculum not in touch with college and working world are problems with more than half of parents asked. Yet, I would bet, that if you placed this article in front of some of the teachers, administrators and the superintendent of the Middletown schools,there would be denial. The information in the article says that the colleges and employers are getting an inferior product, lacking even the basics to begin.Why is this happening? Perhaps the colleges, employers, parents and the high school teachers/administration could communicate and arrive at a workable solution to improve this situation. It would appear, at this point, that none of these groups are talking to each other nor care to address the problem collectively. Could the ego of each group be getting in the way of fixing this problem? Is there a program in place to allow dialogue between these people? If not, why not? This occuring, of course, as the educational levels of other countries is excelling.Better not ignore this or serious long term effects for this country will occur. It's happening now as our students are no longer keeping up with other cultures as to educational abilities.

Gee Jonathan when I was in school we had all of these things and much more and most of my generation came out of it ok.

2)  We didn't have special programs setup to just teach 50 kids who may drop out of school. We were expected to perform up to a certain standard to pass and if we didn't there were consequences.

I agree with Pacman - get back to the basics.  Stop all this handling every child with kid gloves.  Discipline is the best educator.  I'm not advocating beating or abuse, but prompt, strict and enforced discipline is the best way to get a child to understand and respect their educators.