Module 6

Dear Congressman McIntyre,

My name is Sarah Gurney and I am an education major at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Due to the fact that I am going to become an educator in the future, governmental policies and practices hold more importance to me than ever before. I do think, however, there are many policies that need to be reformed and I am hoping proper reformation will happen.

I was just reading your website pertaining to your views on education. I agreed with three of your four interests of education reformation. (1) Reduction of class size. (2) Modernization of educational facilities. (3) Installing of better technology.


(1) I have attended a few different colleges throughout my college career. Initially, I went the community college route and I found the smaller class size improved the professor/ student ratio and the interaction between faculty and students that typically does not occur in larger universities. I then attended a large university in Raleigh, NC and soon realized a setting of that kind was not right for my educational needs. I then began attending classes at UNCP and this close nit community was exactly what I had been looking for. The moral of my story is that I had the opportunity to relocate to different schools in order to better suit my own personal needs. Children growing up in inner city schools or kids located in under achieving school districts have fewer opportunities to find the setting that works best for them.

(2) I do think that if we can work from the inside-out our schools would have a better chance. Improving the cosmetics of a building, may seem to some as a waste of funds, but I think even a fresh coat of paint can help improve the attitudes of the people who have to look at the chipping paint daily.


(3) I also liked your stance on installing better technology in our classrooms. Smart boards and over-head projectors are very important tools in educating visually based learners. Computer education is essential for our future generation’s success.
I was also reading the section on the No Child Left Behind Act and I was wondering where you stood on this issue? You did say, “…this act will be reauthorized this year and I will continue to work with my colleagues to improve the amount of funding appropriated to our schools.” I do think funding is extremely important but I would like to know your position and how you would vote on issues such as standardized tests? I am an opponent of such testing because I do not think the results are completely accurate. My vote for you largely depends on your stance on these types of issues and I would appreciate a response informing me of your position.

Thank-you,
Sarah M. Gurney