Instead of numbers, come visit the school

Dick Fredericks gave his unwarranted opinion of “what is wrong with Cedar Rapids schools” in a Jan. 9 guest column. I suggest that instead of requesting more test data, he spend one day at Washington High School and see what it is like being an educator.

Fredericks spews the same rhetoric of percentages and test scores that has made Bush-era programs like No Child Left Behind legislation fail. No Child Left Behind fails students, teachers and schools where teaching to the test replaces applied-knowledge skill sets.

Dick's harsh critique of a principal who deeply cares and encourages each and every student who walks through Washington High School's doors is a blatant call for attention for all the wrong reasons.

Erin Antonik

Cedar Rapids