Grading the schools

Schools in the Baltimore area are barely passing in their efforts to teach, according to callers to The Evening Sun's SUNDIAL. Of 289 callers, 33 percent (95 callers) said their schools were excellent, 27 percent (78 callers) said their schools were satisfactory and 40 percent (116 callers) said their schools were failing.

A city and county breakdown follows:

* Baltimore city: Total, 98; Excellent, 39 percent (38 callers); Satisfactory, 14 percent (14 callers); Failing, 47 percent (46 callers).

* Baltimore Co.: Total, 87; Excellent, 22 percent (19 callers); Satisfactory, 41 percent (36 callers); Failing, 37 percent (32 callers).

* Anne Arundel Co.: Total, 33; Excellent, 27 percent (9 callers); Satisfactory, 27 percent (9 callers); Failing, 46 percent (15 callers).

* Carroll Co.: Total, 20; Excellent, 30 percent (6 callers); Satisfactory, 30 percent (6 callers); Failing, 40 percent (8 callers).

* Harford Co.: Total, 30; Excellent, 47 percent (14 callers); Satisfactory, 13 percent (4 callers); Failing, 40 percent (12 callers).

* Howard Co.: Total, 21; Excellent, 43 percent (9 callers); Satisfactory, 43 percent (9 callers); Failing, 14 percent (3 callers).