No headline

The maximum ranking possible on the U S News and World Reports College Readiness Index is 100. Several schools proved that it was attainable. Bruised egos or not, Sandpoint High Schools’ rank of 26 falls into the bottom one-third of the Index. Even a mere understanding of the “concept” of ranking places it behind more than two-thirds of the other schools rated. Making the State Chorus, or obtaining a high National Merit score is a fine achievement, but after leaving the confines of the local community a person will be better able to determine true preparedness for life after high school.

To dwell on the “readiness,” based on a limited number of the entire student body, ignores the pathetic 48 percent math score. To ignore the math score illustrates a willingness to cover-up a truly important finding of the report. If American technology businesses push for more visas for foreign workers as they cannot find enough qualified (read math-qualified) American citizens, it may be that American high schools need to do better. Instead of attempting to white-wash a report, to criticize a messenger or to accept mediocracy, our education professionals should step up to the plate to greatly improve the prospects for our students. An emphasis on changing what has been done to this point may not reach the new higher standard, but merely accepting the status quo is likely to repeat the mediocre results already witnessed. Challenges are good for growth.

JEREMY CONLIN

Cocolalla