As a retired educator of many years service, I am very interested in the discussions about the old and new tests that Maryland students will be taking now and in the future ("Tests go on, won't count," Sept. 16).
The comments in The Sun reflect ideas from educators, some of whom are concerned about the waste of money to give students tests on topics that perhaps they have never been taught. Others think the tests will provide valuable information.
Not one person expresses concern about the students taking the tests. Being assessed on material that you have never even been exposed to can be very frustrating. Give me one good reason that this is helpful to the students, who should be of primary interest to all educators. And never, ever tell students that the tests "won't count." A good educator assures students that everything they do in school counts for something.
Let us get our priorities straight and care about the adults of the future.
June M. Danaher, Bel Air