From staff reports

The requirement that students must pass certain standards to graduate has some worried, perhaps rightly so.

Thursday, July 29, 1999

The requirement that students must pass certain standards to graduate has some worried, perhaps rightly so.

Never before have local students had to prove minimum proficiency in reading, writing and math to graduate from high school. Never before have they been held so accountable.

But it is not just the students being held accountable, it is also the school district.

Indeed, the only factor not held accountable is parents.

Parents do not always accept responsibility for their children’s education, and have no legal obligation to do so. That is, not every parent makes sure children finish their homework; offers to help students when struggling with a subject; listens to teachers during conferences and helps to ensure students improve; or provides a suitable environment for learning.

Some parents struggle simply to provide a nutritious breakfast before students head off for a full day of learning.

The school district, however, will be held accountable if students begin failing to graduate, and it is taking steps such as special summer sessions to help those at risk.

Students must also contribute to the process, and many did by attending the sessions and striving to prepare for the next round of tests.

It won’t be easy. Some students may not have had the individual attention necessary during the school year; others may be preoccupied with problems at home, or at school. With luck, the summer sessions will continue to help students find their focus.

For while it may seem unfair that yesterday’s students didn’t have to worry about graduation tests, today’s students live in a very different world.

Proficiency in math, reading and writing are vital today, tying directly to students’ chances of finding meaningful employment and living wages after they do graduate.