A Thursday letter makes a reasonable point: since teachers cannot be blamed for low test scores from kids whose circumstances or handicaps are beyond their control, testing teachers based on student performance would be like testing cops who deal with unpredictable situations and people.

It saddens me that it so often takes being forced to walk in another’s shoes in order for people to gain empathy. Kids are judged narrowly based on test scores, potentially affecting their future careers, and now teachers are reacting against the idea of being tested themselves. I suggest one of two options: Test adults the same as kids, or change how we test kids. Doing neither would be hypocrisy.

Michael Lockhart

Marysville