Teaching students, net-zero emissions
The Regents exams likely have been watered down because seemingly the state education department does not want low graduation rates, a reader writes. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Kids should learn academic disciplines
I think developing different pathways to a diploma is good, but there needs to be accountability for the English, social studies, science, and math areas of study [“LI schools are failing our students,” Editorial, Dec. 1].
The Regents exams likely have been watered down for years because seemingly the state Department of Education does not want low graduation rates. Artificial intelligence won’t bring back the strong fundamentals for most. Technology will do the work for those without academic knowledge.
As a retired high school English teacher, I believe educators are handicapped by politics, the inability to be allowed to set their own path, and the compromised family life of students.
— Robert Epstein, Lido Beach
The sad truth is that education as a profession has lost its appeal [“Less than half of LI students proficient in English,” News, Nov. 25]. Of the fields someone with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees could enter, education is among the lowest paying, and social problems in our schools only make education less attractive.
A great threat to our country is internal — our failing educational system.
— John A. Viteritti, Laurel
We need nuclear power here, too
It is encouraging that Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to nuclear power to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 “LI not in nuke power plans,” News, Nov. 20]. Besides considering upstate designations, however, she should consider creating and reopening plants to provide energy for Long Island and New York City.
Closing Indian Point nuclear power plant in 2021 only increased the reliance on fossil fuels. Other renewable sources have been unpopular, as shown by opposition to the Empire Wind projects.
Nuclear power has long been established as possibly the best way to achieve net zero. Power plants running on nonrenewable sources hurt Long Island communities’ health and property values. Hochul should consider providing all New Yorkers renewable energy.
— Michael Singer, Long Beach
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN OUR DAILY CONVERSATION. Just go to newsday.com/submitaletter and follow the prompts. Or email your opinion to letters@newsday.com. Submissions should be no more than 200 words. Please provide your full name, hometown, phone number and any relevant expertise or affiliation. Include the headline and date of the article you are responding to. Letters become the property of Newsday and are edited for all media. Due to volume, readers are limited to one letter in print every 45 days. Published letters reflect the ratio received on each topic.
