To the Editor:

Democratic Party Chairman Joe McNamara scored a touchdown with his latest legislation #2015-H 5895.

In summary, this bill will allow students under 18 to receive real-time, on-the-job training to give their book knowledge a practical application that they never enjoyed before. His bill will allow certain students to participate in “career and technical internships or teacher supervised job site training programs”.

As a mortgage loan officer analyzing thousands of types of employment over the last 37 years I can easily separate those applicants with “book knowledge” versus those with “street knowledge”. I have many times said, out loud, “Why can’t we have both taught in our schools?”

The old adage “Knowledge is power” is a misconception. It’s the application of knowledge that paves the way to success.

Joe’s bill, for the first time, provides this blend of book-smarts with street-smarts giving these fortunate students the application-of-knowledge, not just the knowledge.

Show our students how important it is to apply what they have learned; mainly, how it converts to a paycheck and attendance should improve dramatically. So should their attention. Can you imagine a classroom full of students who really want to learn? Wow!

This is a concept that is long overdue and I, for one, applaud you Joe for thinking of a way to help prepare our students for the real world.

Touchdown!

Richard Corrente

Warwick