Not all children learn the same way

To the editor:

A recent article in The Gazette rated the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City public schools on their performance based on government guidelines which seem to be based more on business principals than the way children actually learn ('How your school fares,” Dec. 17).

As a retired teacher, I can tell you that not all children learn alike. Some are good with desk work, which seems to be the standard these days, and some do much better with a hands-on approach.

There are intelligence measurements such as creativity and being able to think outside the box that are not being measured by these standards of success. These are skills that are more a right brain function. They benefit from classes in art and music and strategies that encourage free thinking. Those things don't fare well in times of budget cuts to education.

Many things affect a child's ability to learn. Movement wires the brain. Are the students getting regular physical education and recess time, which also helps with social wiring? I have a stack of books on my shelf written by neurologists and psychologists making the connection between learning disabilities and diet as well as stress. Are the kids getting a healthy diet and is their home life stable? Is English their first language? These are things that the teachers cannot control, yet they are being held accountable. I think we need to look at how we measure success.

Evelyn Endris

Hills