Richmond, Calif
Given the rivalry between the Berkeley and Los Angeles campuses of the University of California, I can only guess at Berkeley psychology professor Rhona Weinstein’s shock when she was placed at UCLA. She is not only a highly respected professor here at Berkeley, but she is also director of the psychology clinic.
Nina Hersch Gabelko
Director, SUPER
University of California
Berkeley, Calif.
All-Male Classes For Black Boy
As a 28-year-old black female Catholic school principal in Miami’s Overtown area, I agree with Spencer Holland [“Fighting the Epidemic of Failure,’' September/October 1989] that it is vital that we have males, particularly black males, teaching in our inner-city classrooms. The young black male encounters females almost exclusively every day--from Mom to principal.
My school recruits male teachers and invites males to participate in our speaker and seminar programs. We hope male contact will give our students better goals than a gold chain, a short-lived emblem of illegal success.
Leslie Cooper, principal
St. Francis Xavier School
Miami
We have been educating young black males in all-male classrooms with predominantly male teachers since 1945. We’ve experienced great success with this system, even though we have been criticized over the years. I was especially appreciative of Holland’s concern for the young black male. There’s nothing like a powerful education coupled with academic seriousness, strong, loving discipline, and clear-cut values to help our young black males reach their full maturity.
Fr. Mario DiCicco, president
Hales Franciscan High School
Chicago
Special-Needs Kids In Junior High
When I read Elizabeth Kean’s article [“Left Behind,’' September/October 1989] my heart sank. As a teacher, Elizabeth Kean should have been aware that there are special education services available under PL 94-142. Also sadly, Kean probably was not aware of our organization. Our national network of chapters offers much information, support, and advice for parents of learning disabled students.
Irene Spencer
Learning Disabled Association of America
Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter
Baltimore
Evaluation, Not Testing
Your article on testing [“Early Testing on the Rise,’' September/October 1989] reported that New Hampshire requires students to be evaluated before entering school. Although state law requires schools to “diagnostically screen’’ all children upon first entry to school to determine levels of educational readiness, we have steered away from standardized testing. Teachers, with the backing of the state department of education, have developed ways to observe and document children’s literacy behaviors, and teachers base instruction on those observations.
Helen Schotanus
Curriculum Supervisor
New Hampshire Department of Education
Concord, N.H.
A Taxing Matter
I was really surprised that Joel Weingarten [“What Can I Deduct?’' September/October 1989] did not mention that the Internal Revenue Service has included teachers and tutors among the professionals who may use Schedule C. This way, the requirement that deductions must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income does not apply. This can result in a sizable tax savings. I thought surely a CPA would be up on this matter.
Frances Prater
McMinnville, Tenn.
Editor’s Note: According to the IRS, Schedule C is only for people who are in business for themselves. A self-employed tutor or teacher, or a school district employee who has a side business, might be entitled to use Schedule C. Teachers whose sole employer is a school district, the IRS says, are to use Schedule A, as Weingarten’s article instructs.
For more information, request publication number 508, Educational Expenses, by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-424-FORM.
