After reading the somewhat lengthy article about test scores falling flat again ("Baltimore school test results flat for third year," July 23) and then considering all kinds of explanations including "turmoil in the system," or that a "plateau was expected," or that "harder things" are now required, or that "principal turnover can hurt student achievement" or — and here's my favorite — "we have tougher kids to teach," the final paragraph really says it all.
"We, as parents, have to set the bar higher and make our expectations clear to our schools, our principals and our teachers," a parent is quoted as saying. Here's a novel idea: How about setting the bar higher for your children as parents? You, who are a child's first and most important teacher, must follow through every step of the way in your child's educational progress.
