May this education overhaul truly help children

It was with gratitude that I read of the proposed "sweeping overhaul" of No Child Left Behind ("Obama to Alter School Policy," Feb. 1), that "many of the provisions that teachers unions, associations of principals, school boards and other groups have found most objectionable" would be reworked or eliminated. May that be so!

I know personally two teachers, the sort one wishes could be cloned -- devoted, caring, effective -- who left their public school positions before retirement age, simply because they had to tailor their teaching around the mandated tests, making it impossible for them to give the children what they knew was the education those children needed to carry them through life.

While the goal is admirable, are there reliable statistics that show marked effects? How many more high school graduates have come through since the law's institution? How many fewer graduates are functionally illiterate? How many children are reading at grade level? Same for math and language skills? Comprehension? Marked improvement in how many "challenged" school districts?

Who will head this overhaul? How about forming a task force of teachers, recognized publicly for their success in changing the lives of their students in all ways, not just in how well the children perform on federal tests? Include a solid representation of teachers from "challenged" districts. And let there be acknowledgment of the role the arts can play in the development of well-rounded citizens!

JOYCE MOON STROBEL
Ross

Apologize to police

Regarding the Feb. 3 "Brewed on Grant": cartoonist Rob Rogers is way out of line. Until an apology is made to the Pittsburgh police force, decent Pittsburgh citizens will continue to cancel their Post-Gazette subscriptions.

Ask Mr. Rogers if he interviewed the officers who arrested Jordan Miles. Stop hiding behind the "comic" facade and understand the facts before you make false accusations -- especially against the people who risk their lives ensuring our safety.

MARK and LYNELLE DeNAPOLI
Cranberry

Corps. and rights

In response to the letters from Victor J. Ruisi and Dan Malakoff (Jan. 27): Mr. Ruisi ("This Court Decision Is Devastating for Democracy") is worried that corporations will permeate politics? Has he not heard that our president has appointed Jeffrey Immelt of General Electric to his economic recovery board? That GE Capital has received a $139 billion bailout in the form of FDIC debt coverage? GE hires former Sen. Tom Daschle to its health advisory board and Tom's wife, Linda, as a lobbyist? (Have to love that "no politician as lobbyist" law). That if health care and cap-and-trade are passed, GE stands to make billions? That does not represent me.

Mr. Ruisi, you and I have no "right" to be represented in every decision made in politics. Therefore, no "right" has been violated.

As per Mr. Malakoff's wonderful idea of stripping away corporations' free-speech rights ("Not Working for Us"), I wonder how long it would take before he would be stripped of his free-speech right.

Also, if you allow the number of senators to be determined by the population, it means that nine states will determine everything that happens on a federal level. Nine states have more than 50 percent of our country's population. Twenty-five states have under 17 percent of our population. That is why the powers that were given to the government at the federal level were so limited.

I do not want fewer than 18 percent of the states deciding how I will be governed. Especially since that means other states will be completely ignored when it comes to money, projects and social programs.

PAUL LIPINSKI
Sheraden

Kids and 'sexting'

When dealing with teenagers sending nude or sexually explicit pictures of themselves or others, there is broad consensus that these kids should not be charged with felony sex crimes ("Update the Law: 'Sexting' Is Teen Foolishness, Not Something Worse," Jan. 28 editorial). But House Bill 2189 is also not the answer.

The House Judiciary Committee is on the verge of passing an extremely flawed bill that does nothing to prevent felony prosecutions while expanding the teen conduct subject to criminal charges. The bill encompasses so much innocent teen conduct that it is unconstitutional and subject to immediate legal challenge.

"Sexting" is a term used to describe a wide range of activity. Under HB 2189, even a teenage couple consensually sending semi-nude pictures of themselves to each other would become criminals, with penalties that will affect their ability to attend school, find jobs, enter the military and get government benefits. Real child pornography is a terrible crime, but most sexting is not and should not be made a crime.

Why the rush to criminalize our children? If HB 2189 passes in its current form, it would be one of the most punitive laws on sexting in the nation. Our children deserve better. They certainly don't deserve to be saddled with a criminal record for exploring their sexuality, which is a normal part of child development.

ANDY HOOVER
Legislative Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg

A mortified alum

As a West Virginia alum and sports fan, I think the greatest games to watch and attend are those between WVU and Pitt. However, in watching the game between the two on Wednesday night, it was absolutely embarrassing to be a WVU fan. As Ron Cook reported ("West Virginia Fans Disrespect the Game," Feb. 4 column), the student section was warned once by WVU coach Bob Huggins not to throw objects on the court as someone could get hurt.

Well, a brainless WVU student later threw a quarter from the stands and struck a Pitt assistant in the cheek below his eye. All students there should be held accountable as no one even identified the culprit. On top of that, the obscene chants aimed at Pitt coach Jamie Dixon were over the top. Added to those made during the nationally televised Ohio State game, they paint an ugly picture of my alma mater on a national scale!

I commend the Pitt staff and players for their restraint. To Mr. Dixon, his staff and the Pitt team, I offer a sincere apology from myself and like-minded alums.

BRIAN DAY
Canonsburg

'Catcher' continues to be relevant

After reading Bob Hoover's recent obituary of J.D. Salinger ("Reclusive Author of a Classic," Jan. 29), my students and I felt that the examination of "The Catcher in the Rye" was reductive. In the interest of brevity, I will focus on only two issues that led us to this conclusion.

Mr. Hoover's characterization of Holden's time with Phoebe in the park as "childish" ignores the weight of the carousel incident. Holden seemingly matures when he realizes that he must allow Phoebe to reach for the gold ring, even if she falls. Such a moment calls into question Holden's naive dream of becoming the catcher in the rye. However, Holden also admits that he was overwhelmingly happy watching Phoebe go around and around on the carousel. Although Phoebe is moving, this movement is illusory as she is fixed to a central point, and any time she goes away from Holden, she returns. So does this moment represent maturity or stasis?

Salinger's use of ambiguity in this example, and many others, reveals his understanding that reality is far more complex than many young adult novels portray it. Although "Catcher" may have inspired a new genre, it should not be included in it.

I also hope readers would not trust as representative Shady Side Academy teacher Jeff Miller's assessment that students find the book dated. In my own experiences, students have always connected with the story. Holden stubbornly rejects the rewards of society if he must compromise his integrity. I can think of no other text more relevant to a junior in high school who -- under the pressure of SATs, PSSAs and QPA -- may feel his independent identity slipping away.

Certainly Mr. Salinger deserves a better send-off, even if he would prefer we simply dump his body in the river.

DAN PETRICH
Teacher
Mt. Lebanon High School English Department
Mt. Lebanon

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