I have read articles regarding using the SAT to replace the MEA test. I wonder if that would raise the scores? I think not. If anything, the scores are going to drop more.

If testing is necessary, and it seems that there are those in all levels of government who think so, I would suggest the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The ASVAB doesn’t cost anyone in the state anything. The same cannot be said for the SAT, which has to be more expensive than the MEA.

The real problem is that our children are not getting a grip on the information being taught. Is it the teachers’ fault? I don’t think so. Are the parents to blame? Again, I don’t think so. So it must be the students’ fault. Not necessarily.

I think we need to go back to basics and build a strong foundation and go from there.

No Child Left Behind is doing us no favors, and in 20 to 30 years, it’s going to be this generation that will be leading our communities and in state and federal government positions. That is just a little scary from what I am seeing.

Alan Elze, Auburn