Amendment 3 deserves a no vote

To the Editor:

Amendment 3 will be on the Nov. 4 ballot, and we are asking you to vote no.

This amendment is very costly, and will treat students like numbers instead of individuals. Funding is a problem for many schools, and implementing more standardized tests will take money away from the classrooms. It will also take away valuable class time that could be spent on teaching rather than testing. Students take many standardized tests already. They should be taught to be good critical thinkers instead of being good test takers.

Accountability for teachers should come from principals who can monitor the classrooms regularly. Experienced teachers can also be great mentors for new teachers or those needing help. Teachers should never be fired or demoted based on student performance on one test, such as the standardized test given once a year.

This amendment should also be defeated because it takes away local control from school districts, teachers, and parents, and gives it to politicians in Jeff City. It would force taxpayers to spend money on more government-mandated standardized tests.

Plus we sometimes do things differently in different parts of the state, depending on the needs of the students . What may work for a big city may not work in rural areas.

Please vote no for Amendment 3, and ask your friends and family members to vote no as well. Our students deserve a quality education and our districts deserve our support!

Steve and Terena

Whitworth

Poplar Bluff, Mo.