President’s speech would have inspired students
To the editor:
The letter from the superintendent explaining his refusal to have the President’s speech played live to Lee school students is in urgent need of response. Is it possible that this Southern superintendent who speaks with a Southern twang may have allowed personal prejudices to operate? An inspirational speech that might particularly motivate African-American and other minority students needed to be censored by this superintendent and majority of his school board? All of this in a school district that has shown great disparities between scores of these students and those of the so-called majority community. Was he afraid that Black and Latino students might be inspired by a live speech? Has this action set back progress made in this community and are we going back to the feelings of the days of segregation? Has he again polarized a community that was making great progress?
The excuse made was that the district could not interrupt the school day. Was he implying that interrupting the drilling for FCAT exams was all that important? Is the motto of the district becoming “Drill Baby, Drill”!? Is there no need to motivate students? Is the only outcome of education in Lee County test scores? A good teacher knows that good teaching requires the teacher to seize the moment. Was that lost when Browder made this terrible decision? Is he saying that teaching the words of the month equals an inspirational live talk to school children from the President of the United States? If so, it is now clear why Florida and Lee County are considered to be the poorest in the country and Lee County schools are in period of disgrace and educational leadership should be ashamed of itself!
John E. Traube
Cape Coral