Letters: Test shouldn't decide future

Jodi McFarland | By Jodi McFarland | The Saginaw News
on May 20, 2009 at 8:14 AM, updated May 20, 2009 at 8:16 AM

Editor, The News:

When you look at a paper and see the letters ACT, what instantly comes to mind? For me it was, "Oh gosh, that's the hardest test we're going to have to take in high school."

For others it's just letters in the alphabet, while for some it's a test to ignore. But really it's a test that every junior in the nation has to take to be looked at for college.

Taking a test to get into college is horrible, because some students are wonderful at taking them and some are smart but freeze up on tests.

Taking the ACT is a good idea for scholarships, but not to use to judge who gets into a college or not. It should be judged on GPA to show how a student has done throughout high school, not just one test that took three days.

You might have a bad day in testing, but you shouldn't have a bad future because of it.

Courtney Kunc
Thomas Township

No cell while driving

Editor, The News:

Teens and parents shouldn't be able to drive and talk on cell phones.

People get pulled over for drinking, and they should get pulled over for talking on a cell phone.

Many studies have shown that when drivers use a cell phone it can be very dangerous. At some point a driver's eyes are bound to be distracted from the road.
Studies also have shown that new drivers are especially prone to have an accident when they use a cell phone.

Also, drivers have less experience in focusing on driving during distractions.

Several studies found teens send text messages while driving.

It involves the hand and eyes and is more distracting and dangerous than when drivers talk on cell phones.

All drivers are at least four times more likely to have a car accident than those who don't use a cell phone while driving.

Even hands-free models distract drivers although the driver has both hands on the wheel.

People should not be able to drive and talk on the phone at the same time.

Samantha Gulliver
Thomas Township

Yes to sex ed

Editor, The News:

Sex education is definitely not pressed in schools enough. I know this for a fact from a few people who go to my school who have contracted sexually transmitted diseases and also became pregnant.

If sex education was pressed harder and actually taken seriously, then kids wouldn't do so much.

Kids are kids and will always do what they want no matter what, but the fact is that if it was pressed harder on them not to have sex and what they are risking then there's a better chance they won't do it.

I'm not saying it's just the schools' fault; the parents also play a big part.

Joshua P. Cass
James Township