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Editor’s Scratchpad

By Richard Halloran

Wednesday, March 21, 2001


Readers smite
critique of teachers

In this space last week was published a lament that teachers had failed to instruct an unnamed student in the rudiments of English composition. The response was, to put it mildly, a defensive firestorm. The letters column today is filled with those comments.

Few denied the accuracy of the observation. Instead, many sought to deflect criticism of the teachers to the student or to the student's parents or to crowded, unruly classrooms. Some said the letter reflected widespread flaws in English instruction and should not have been singled out. Others contended that the student's argument for pay raises for teachers was sufficiently clear. Some overlooked the word "rudiments" to argue that the student was not a professional writer. Still others pointed to flaws they saw in editorials elsewhere on that page. One caught a typographical error in the date; 2201 instead of 2001.

No teacher acknowledged: "Yes, we failed in our responsibilities to that student." Instead, many letters were filled with invective. It is an ancient ploy; if the message cannot be refuted, attack the messenger. In accord with the guidelines on letters to the editor, those personal attacks will not be published.

Richard Halloran




Richard Halloran is Editorial section editor.
He can be reached by e-mail at rhalloran@starbulletin.com




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