To the Editor:
Re “Mississippi Is Providing Classes for America on Training,” by Nicholas Kristof (column, “How America Heals” collection, June 1):
Mississippi colleges show that each one the explanations for the failure of kids to learn to learn and excel have been excuses. Critics will little question declare that its success is an aberration, however the proof is evident. The one query now could be whether or not its strategy is scalable.
Walt Gardner
Los Angeles
The author taught for 28 years within the Los Angeles Unified Faculty District and was a lecturer within the U.C.L.A. Graduate Faculty of Training.
To the Editor:
“Thank God for Mississippi” is each the start and the exuberant ending of Nicholas Kristof’s article. It begins with the imagined sardonic invocation of these 4 phrases by Arkansas and Alabama (ranked, respectively, sixth and eighth amongst all states in youngster poverty) as a result of even with their rankings, they may belief that Mississippi would rating under them. Ah, the glee of not inserting final!
Poverty is out as an excuse, a Harvard economist and schooling professional declares in the midst of the ebullient piece, which ends with a heartfelt “Thank God for Mississippi!” from Mr. Kristof as a result of the state raised check scores whereas spending much less on schooling than different states.
Thank God for Mississippi rating No. 1 in youngster poverty (28 %)? Thank God for 43 % of its Black and Hispanic kids dwelling in poverty? Actually? I can not and won’t thank God for Mississippi permitting college students to develop up in poverty.
As a instructor for 30 years, together with 17 in a low-income, minority faculty, I used to be fascinated by studying how Mississippi raised check scores. Sure, poor college students can study, however Mr. Kristof dismisses the burdens of poverty. Circumstances in Jackson, Miss., resemble these in a growing nation. It lacks clear water and college students can not drink from faculty water fountains.
Mr. Kristof’s sole deal with check scores is sort of a swim coach’s obsession with improved instances however no concern for the well-being of the kids swimming in poisonous water. We ought to be involved with the kids’s total well-being, not simply their check scores. The place is the outrage over youngster poverty?
Katherine Murphy
Falls Church, Va.
To the Editor:
Concerning the current success story about educating studying to low-income kids in Mississippi, think about what their achievement may appear like if the identical sturdy teaching and help got through the first three years of life, when mind progress and growth are at their peak.
Mary Meland
Minneapolis
The author is a retired pediatrician and a member of the advocacy group Docs for Early Childhood.
To the Editor:
Nicholas Kristof’s article on schooling in Mississippi comprises excellent news, however the premise is extremely deceptive. The state, as regular, didn’t make investments two cents in bettering schooling; Jim Barksdale donated $100 million. Now Mississippi can brag about its academic progress, with out growing taxation or its funding in schooling.
I really like the best way that crimson states refuse to fund public applications, however they go round with a tin cup, asking others to contribute. Public schooling ought to be funded by the general public that advantages, and Republican states ought to elevate taxes in order that the remainder of us aren’t funding their initiatives.
Barbara Barran
Brooklyn
Hazard Forward: The ‘Frenemy’ Relationship
To the Editor:
Re “Frenemies Might Be Hazardous to Your Well being,” by Adam Grant (Opinion visitor essay, Might 29):
It’s nothing new to therapists like me who’ve labored with abused purchasers that ambivalent relationships are extremely harmful.
The abusive companion could act remorseful and guilt-ridden after brutal assaults. A guardian could generally be loving and generally vicious. Presents could also be given after acts of brutality. There could also be tearful and anguished requests to be forgiven.
For the companion who hopes the abuser will change and the kid determined for a guardian’s love, these seeming acts of contrition are really damning. The grownup companion has cause to proceed hoping the abuser will change, particularly with the numerous causes that make it so tough and harmful to go away the connection.
The kid soaks up demonstrations of affection and will really feel answerable for the abuse, a strategy to expertise some sense of management the place there’s none.
We flip away from tales about such abuse and its results. It’s a lot simpler to examine a poisonous boss. Bosses just like the one described within the essay do harm. However we should cease turning away from the abuse that companions and kids expertise on this nation. It’s a horrific downside, another usually resulting in dying than any of us wish to consider.
Laurie Rostholder
Seattle
To the Editor:
As a resident doctor who labored on the entrance strains of the pandemic in 2020, I recognize Adam Grant’s dialogue of the difficulty of “frenemies,” which sadly underlies many interactions in our damaged well being care system.
Poisonous work relationships between members at totally different ranges of the medical hierarchy seemingly exacerbate the epidemic of burnout amongst well being care staff.
Attending physicians could take credit score for good remedy plans prompt by residents, whereas blaming subordinates for any detrimental outcomes. Different instances, supervisors topic underlings to non-public humiliation, whereas hypocritically showering them with reward within the presence of sufferers, making a facade of a cohesive workforce. These conflicting messages instill “impostor syndrome” amongst trainees, eroding our valuable little confidence.
Allow us to attempt to do higher by our colleagues and sufferers, and keep away from perpetuating this vicious cycle for the following technology.
Aamir Hussain
Washington
Predictions About Tech
To the Editor:
I used to be inspired by “Fears About A.I. Might Be Warranted, or Not” (Sunday Enterprise, June 11).
The article took me again to 1970 after I was sitting in an ethics class at a Jesuit school. The trainer started speaking concerning the potential risks of cloning: the potential for a military of clones, germ warfare and a direct assault on what it means to be human.
About halfway by his rant, I leaned over to my pal and mentioned, “Cloning, that’s what I’m going to do.”
After 50 years within the area, I’m proud to have been a part of the biotech revolution. I’ve had a first-row seat to introducing a whole lot of lifesaving medicines and assessments, new crops requiring fewer pesticides and water, and lots of merchandise affecting vital industries.
However I’m nonetheless ready for the military of clones.
Invoice St. John
San Francisco
Maintain Your Dwelling Protected When You’re Away
To the Editor:
“Defend Your Dwelling From Intruders When You’re on Trip” (Right here to Assist, June 8) focuses on tech options however fails to say a few apparent recommendations.
The primary is to inform neighbors when you’ll be away from house, in order that they could report uncommon exercise to the police. Sufficient individuals are working from house as of late, making unofficial neighborhood watches a wise strategy to keep protected. Old school however fairly efficient.
And, the obvious suggestion: Cease posting on social media the place you might be visiting, in impact telling the world that nobody is house.
Daniel Grant
Amherst, Mass.
