I am writing in response to the recent front page article "Division Avenue High School Is a Focus of Concern."

There is indeed reason for concern regarding grades on the recent mid-terms, but it is not limited to DAHS as alluded to in the article. When I questioned the department head at DAHS I was told that the mid-term grades were going to be curved at Division this year because they have been curved at MacArthur for years and it was deemed unfair for Division to appear to be doing worse, when in fact MacArthur's results weren't much different prior to their grades being curved. I told the department head that curving grades does not increase a student's knowledge, although it does make the faculty look better.

The comment about hiring teachers at a higher step makes no sense. The current teachers have plenty of experience which hasn't helped. The current methods of teaching are what need to be changed. The state is now requiring critical thinking not memorization, which is what the faculty is used to. When such a large number of students fail, the faculty must be held accountable.

The article also lays blame on the previous administration which I believe is untrue, but convenient. The teachers are the ones in the classroom and must bear the responsibility.

I am tired of each school acting as if it were an island. This is one district. There is one tax rate and the students in each school should have the same opportunities and be held to the same standards. I was told that MacArthur was the 'academic' school and Division was the 'athletic' school. My address does not dictate whether my child falls into the academic or athletic profile.

I would appreciate it if it was made clear in the paper that "Both High Schools Are a Focus of Concern," The article makes it appear that the real estate on one side of Levittown is more desirable than the other.