Editor:
In my letter last week concerning school days, the correct number was 56, not 36 days. Kids are not required to attend school.
The problem with schools is a lack of standards. They are so low they encourage lackadaisical complacency.
The person responsible for this is the commanding officer. You might say of our little slice of school heaven that this is Superintendent Donald Schrader. As the head honcho, receiving $80,000-plus per year, he is required to step up and make a difference.
In the school district of Sweet Home children are only required to pass any test with 70 percent correct answers. That needs to be raised to 88 percent to pass a test.
To complete and receive a diploma from our district, the following needs to be implemented:
(1) Walk or run a mile in eight minutes or less;
(2) 20 sit-ups;
(3) 20 push-ups;
(4) 10 pull-ups;
(5) A 50-question quiz about the Bill of Rights and the Constitution to pass. Kids must get 48 of the 50 questions right.
Students should be required to read the following books, followed by a 1,000-word paper on each book:
(1) To Kill a Mockingbird;
(2) Hamlet;
(3) The Odyssey;
(4) Genesis;
(5) Origin of the Species;
(6) The Grapes of Wrath;
(7) 1984;
(8) The Art of War;
(9) Kidnapped; and
(10) Our Town.
In conclusion, Mr. Don Schrader, do you, Sir, Mr. Commanding Officer, have what it takes to set proper standards for our local kids to succeed in school and life?
Royce Cantrell
Sweet Home