An early April letter to the editor of the Newark Advocate newspaper is from a local history teacher opposed to the Ohio Graduation Test and other "outcome" based assessments for high school students.

This veteran teacher says the OGT and its proficiency forerunner did nothing to advance students' abilities to reason and think and actually hinder teachers in the classroom. You hear similar sentiments expressed by teachers in many districts.

He believes most teachers are very dedicated and want to see their students do well. Unfortunately, he says, the current testing and assessment system in Ohio forces these professionals to "teach to the test." In other words, they simply prepare students to take the test instead of teaching them a broad spectrum of subject matter.

Then there's the cost associated with Ohio's current testing system. The constant drive to change and upgrade the state's academic assessment system costs taxpayer money. Is it worth it in the long run?, he asks.

This 18-year classroom veteran refers to the current system as "socialized education" - an interesting turn of phrase. He believes school districts are entities unto themselves, each with a different personality. He thinks districts should be allowed more freedom in setting academic standards for the students they enroll - a deviation from those who think there should be national academic standards, especially in math and science.

At a time when academic standards like the OGT are constantly evolving, it's interesting to see who espouses a conservative viewpoint and who talks "liberal."