Appalachia Helps Where D.C. Fails

The door, used daily by children, had been in that condition for at least three years.

Several days after the column appeared, the school system finally delivered a chain and lock for the gates and sheet metal to cover the bullet-pocked exterior door.

That was then.

Now, students from North Carolina's High Country are going to pass up fun in the sun to perform acts of kindness not far from the homes of Ward 7 residents Vincent Gray, chairman of the D.C. Council, and at-large council member Kwame Brown.

Their help should be welcomed. But what does it tell us about ourselves and our efforts on behalf of our children?

Let's face it, despite the heroic work of many parents, teachers and education advocates, our public school system is hardly a source of pride.

More than a billion dollars is spent annually on our schools, and what do we have to show for it?

In 2006, only 36 percent of all D.C. public school students were proficient in reading. At the secondary level; only 29 percent of students were proficient.

Math scores weren't any better. Last year, 26 percent of elementary students were proficient. At the secondary level, the number dipped to 23 percent.

Those statistics were provided by Superintendent Clifford Janey in testimony before the D.C. Council last month. He didn't mention that many students haven't even acquired basic reading and math skills.

And the physical condition of our schools is disgraceful.

Which gets us to the school-takeover debate.