STAAR score means nothing
Re: “Great teachers don’t need STAAR data — automated grading of written responses insults educators who provide grade-based feedback to students,” by Tyra Damm, Thursday Opinion.
Thank you, Tyra Dam, for your wonderful and accurate explanation.
Parents and many others raising school-age children, as well as teachers, rely on classroom performance to know where to guide and support children. State tests in no way reflect a student's intelligence. On any given day, a student's background, health, what's going on in their life, diet, mood, hunger, etc. can taint the test.
STAAR test scores are completely meaningless. there is nothing. Education in Texas has been in dire turmoil for years, which is why so many parents are moving their children to charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling. Teachers are left with their hands tied and little funding to support them. The old keepers who called the plays should have already retired. Did I mention term limits?
Judy Webster, Plano
AI cannot replace human graders
Recently, I sat down to grade over 160 students' essays and wondered where I could find an AI bot to speed up the grading. This question led to several more questions. Can that AI bot recognize the myriad ways to approach a prompt using textual evidence and analysis? Can it understand the nuances of each response based on a personal interpretation of the text? Writing , which allows for multiple “correct” answers, to account for the different perspectives that students bring to their answers?
Unfortunately, as I finished reading each response, I analyzed how each student created, organized, and clarified their responses, allowing each student to grow as a writer and thinker.
The assumption that machines can read, analyze, and evaluate STAAR responses is an insult to all teachers and students in Texas. Before the state replaces human graders with AI bots, every member of the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education will spend a Saturday afternoon at the kitchen table doing the hard and valuable work that writing requires. is needed. I do the same job every weekend.
Lori Greenhaw, Plano
Congress is late for the first time in 26 years
Re: “Ungoverned America — The numbers don’t lie. Congress is doing nothing, unable to act on the basics.” Thursday Editorial.
Your editorial is good, but incomplete. Congress has responded even less. There are 12 annual budgets that fund the government's annual operations and begin on October 1 of each year. This comes as no surprise to Congress. The process is the same every year.
The last time Congress enacted all 12 appropriations by the October 1 start of a fiscal year was in 1997. What would happen if the average citizen delayed fulfilling their required role every year for 26 years?
Dennis Oscar Muddle, Denton
the wrong official in dallas
Re: “City manager resigns — Broadnax to step down June 3 after pressure from City Council,” Thursday news article.
Our Dallas City Council chose Eric Johnson over TC Broadnax. After the election, Mr. Johnson switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, founded the Republican Mayors Association, became president himself, donated campaign funds to a project started by his former chief of staff after the election, and is too busy to attend city council meetings or DFW International meetings. Often. Meeting at the airport.
Meanwhile, Broadnax is focused on getting his job done. I would have put it to a vote, but the Charter Review Committee decided it should continue to be voted on in May, when voter turnout is low, so that current city council members can keep their jobs. None of this bodes well for the city of Dallas.
Karen Jacobs, Downtown Dallas
four outstanding democrats
I'm really excited about the Democratic Party in Texas. The Democratic Party is gaining momentum, and each office has a Democratic candidate to vote for. That's progress.
At a recent meeting, I spoke with Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Bill Burch, Ernest Lineberger of Texas' 26th Congressional District, Detrick DeBahr of Texas House District 65, and Denton County Sheriff Fredrick Bishop. We heard from four outstanding candidates.
They all demonstrate optimism and enthusiasm and are well-suited for the positions they are seeking.i completely agree dallas morning news I recommend birch. When I read about Mr. Birch's background and interest in environmental management, I could not imagine a better person to lead such an important position.
Early voting for the primary election has begun. This is a great opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Even if you have no opposition to a candidate, vote for that candidate anyway. Increasing the number of votes is psychologically positive for candidates. It's a long road until November, but the candidates on the ballot deserve your support.
Marian R. Levinstein, Lantana
Traffic lights lose their meaning
I've lived in the Dallas area for over 30 years and one of the biggest changes I've seen is how unsafe it has become to drive. Some cars pass through the intersection even when the light turns red a few yards from the intersection. Don't worry about the oncoming car's light turning green.
Red flags are currently suggested, not required. I always wait a few beats before entering an intersection with a green light. This is now called the “Dallas Pause.”
Interestingly, when I'm behind a driver, they may be so busy staring at their cell phone that they don't even notice that the light has turned green. However, there is no need to worry. Just zoom in on the next red light and make up for it.
Kim Samuels, Dallas
We welcome your feedback in a letter to the editor. Please refer to the guidelines. Submit your letter here. If you have any problems with the form, you can email it to: Letters@dallasnews.com