Letters to the editor for Friday, Aug. 17

Updated: August 16, 2007 - 7:32 PM

MINNESOTA ACT SCORES

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MINNESOTA ACT SCORES

A flawed barometer

An Aug. 16 letter writer implied that Gov. Tim Pawlenty's refusal to allocate more tax money to education was the right decision since average student ACT scores in Minnesota are high.

Yes, we beat out other states on the tests -- but we need to keep in mind that not all students are required to take these tests. The students who take them are usually college-bound and are invested in academics. If we tested all of Minnesota's students, I would predict that the average would drop significantly.

Schools do not just cater to the motivated students, and efforts to reach students who don't yet see the importance of a good education could be a big cause of the money problems that districts face.

It does little good to focus on those high ACT scores if we're completely ignoring the needs of thousands of students who are barely, if at all, making it through high school.

HEATHER DODDS, ST LOUIS PARK

THE COLLAPSE AFTERMATH

Reason for the rush

Why the rush to rebuild the Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge? Could it be that the GOP wants it completed right around Election Day '08?

GUILLERMO SAPIRO, MINNEAPOLIS

Roads vs. rail

I'm tired of hearing people complain that the light rail doesn't generate any revenue. Last time I checked, none of the highways in Minnesota generate any revenue either.

MIKE CORCORAN, RICHFIELD

Small price to pay

The consequences of a 5-cent gas tax increase: 20,000 miles per year at 20 miles per gallon would result in a $50 per year increase in taxes (or $1 per week).

The consequences of insufficient funding for road and bridge repair are obvious, and all around us. The Pavlovian antitax reaction is disgraceful. To "Just prioritize" with a trillion-dollar national transportation maintenance need is complete nonsense.

LEN SCHAKEL, LAKELAND

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