For some, cursive is cursed

Re "Some schools refuse to write off cursive" (Our Region, Dec. 30): Frances Van Tassell states some studies show that "learning cursive helps children's brain synapses to develop because it requires fluid movement, eye-hand coordination and fine motor skill development."

This is the exact opposite for children with learning disabilities such as dysgraphia, ADHD and dyspraxia who struggle with those very things while writing.

Learning disabilities are frequently not recognized in young children and teens, and writing becomes an excruciating exercise in futility while the child is labeled by teachers as lazy, unmotivated, dumb or a problem child.

It is time that the schools realize we are in a modern age. Many children with learning disabilities excel once they are introduced to and allowed to use laptops and specialized computer programs. A child with dysgraphia, which is a neurologically-based processing disability involving writing, can take two hours to write one paragraph and finish the same paragraph in 10 minutes on a computer. We live in a modern age. Why force our kids to live in the Dark Ages?

– Rose Wesley, Sacramento

Cursive a critical skill

If kids can't read or write in cursive, how are they going to be able to sign their name on documents? How tragic that our education system is failing once again in such a basic concept of learning.

– Judi Fibush, Rocklin

SAT is just one option

Re "Fewer tests for admission to UC" (editorial, Dec. 30): The editorial writer stated that the SAT Reasoning Test was required for application to the University of California. As a former high school counselor, now a consultant, I know that the SAT is but one of the tests that a student can take to qualify.

Are you not aware that the ACT, a test of educational achievement, is equally acceptable? The ACT is based on the subjects students study in a college prep curriculum, is much more student-friendly in its manner of corrections (not penalizing for guessing), and provides an optional writing test since many colleges do not require a writing sample. In my experience, many students do better in the ACT because it reflects their actual classroom information and work … not a hot-house prep course.

Hopefully you will inform students and parents that they do indeed have an option in the ACT. That way, your audience will be reminded of their option.

– Patrick J. O'Brien, Sacramento

School board sets example

Re "The games adults play on schools" (Capitol & California, Dec. 28): In Dan Walters' column, Sacramento City Unified School District has reason to be proud of the exception its adults are demonstrating to the games he describes. Despite significant political differences with locally elected representatives, the recently retired school board majority deferred the selection of a permanent superintendent to the newly elected board.

At its recent meeting this board postponed a closed-session discussion of the selection process in order to dedicate a workshop to this topic. It is my hope that the newly forming board majority will succeed in avoiding past mistakes by moving the superintendent selection process fully into the open. Sacramento needs to have a dialogue about what is desired from both our new board and our superintendent. This is the best method to move ahead with educational improvement in the mature manner adults owe our children.

Though the journey remains long, especially for students within the testing achievement gap, California has made progress from which the new board can learn.

– Leo Bennett-Cauchon, Sacramento

Parents wanted best for child

Re "Wealthy African immigrants kept child slave at Irvine home" (Capitol & California, Dec. 29): I have just been reading the very sad articles about Shyima Hall. What a horrible life for a little girl to live. I really hope that someone is working with her to be able to forgive her parents for what they did to her. It saddens me to think that this is probably going on for a great many children in depressed countries. I am positive that her parents, who loved her very much, thought that this was the best thing for her.