This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sharon Forbes disputes Gov. Gary Herbert's claim that a teacher from 100 years ago would feel right at home in a modern classroom ("Guv owes an apology," Forum, July 5). Unfortunately, she is correct.
Behind the palatial offices of the Davis County School District sits a one-room log schoolhouse in which my ancestor, Arelia Spencer Rogers, was educated. She is generally credited with having invented the LDS Church's Primary program for children. I have copies of her diaries. Her writing, both figuratively and literally, was beautiful.
Today, writing is done on a keyboard. Schools no longer teach conjugations (remember diagraming sentences?). Spelling is free form, but "spell check will fix that." So is math: "Everyone has calculators."
Government forms, tests and political correctness would baffle a teacher of 100 years ago.
Sadly, Herbert is wrong.
Duane Carling
Farmington