City Alters Advanced Placement Policy

The obsession of Bloomberg/Klein with “uniformity” in the city’s public schools brings to mind Emerson’s observation: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”[“In Reversal, City Alters AP Policy,” Julia Levy, Page 1, December 15, 2004].

There is a reason schools like the Bronx High School of Science resist giving extra weight to Advanced Placement courses: Many of the children are so overachieving that parents, teachers, and administrators want them to chill out and become well-rounded.

At Bronx Science, there is a real emphasis on developing the whole child. Consequently, there is a rich after-school life at the school with children participating in teams and clubs. Children are encouraged to take advanced placement classes only for the right reasons – They have a particular aptitude or interest in the subject matter.

If the Bloomberg/Klein administration continues to insist that children need to be “rewarded” for taking AP courses beyond the satisfaction of greater challenge and knowledge, students like those at Bronx Science will be the poorer for it. Some will even be destroyed by it.

CECILIA BLEWER
Manhattan
Ms. Blewer is the parent of a Bronx High School of Science student, formerly the president of the District 3 Presidents’ Council, and a founding member of iCOPE, the independent Commission on Public Education.

After Kerik

John P. Avlon’s article totally misses the point about one problem that Bernard Kerik faced when his name was briefly put forward as the new Homeland Security Cabinet member [“After Kerik, Only Perfect Need Apply,” Page 1, December 13, 2004].

As the Cabinet member preeminently charged with enforcing immigration laws, not obeying them in his past was hardly a ringing endorsement of his credentials. In addition, his willing exploitation of low-wage female help is precisely what the law was designed to prevent…protection of those workers who have no recourse but the magnanimity of a personal employer.

The taxes and Social Security payments Mr. Kerik did not pay would have been used by this person to help in her old age, preventing an additional burden on society.

SUSAN ADDELSTON
Manhattan

Rockefeller Drug Laws

This is a response to William F. Hammond Jr.’s article on the Rockefeller drug laws [“Legislators Ease Drug Laws,” New York, December 8, 2004].

I applaud any change in the draconian Rockefeller drug laws. We can use this as a start to negotiate more changes.

Politicians who disagree with the proposed changes should spend some time behind bars or read my new book, “15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom,” which tells in graphic detail of the hell I went through spending 12 years in Sing Sing prison.

I have fought for change tooth and nail since 1997, when I was granted clemency by Governor Pataki. It’s time for change and the healing process to start for prisoners and their families who have been affected by these terrible laws.

ANTHONY PAPA
Bronx

On Advanced Placement

Students who undertake the extra challenge of an Advanced Placement class should have that effort recognized in their grade-point average. Not making that differentiation just encourages people to take the less demanding course to protect their grade-point average [“AP Grade Changes Cause Outcry,” Julia Levy, New York, December 14, 2004].

Without the differentiation, doing the more challenging work involves all risk and no potential reward as far as the grade-point average is concerned.

The old way does not foster academic achievement; the new way encourages it.

ELLEN FREILICH
Manhattan

On Infant Euthanasia

I had never heard of Alicia Colon until I started reading The New York Sun. I find that her columns range widely and are never dull.

Sometimes she writes “Inside baseball” New York-type articles. Then, just when one thinks one might get bored, boom! she surprises by writing something much much broader – and very provocative.

Ms. Colon’s column on infant euthanasia is a case in point [“When Killing an Ill Infant ‘Is Not Wrong,’ ” New York, December 3, 2004]. She writes in part: “How could any doctor or nurse see that innocent babe gasping for breath and do nothing?”

NONA AGUILAR
Manhattan

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