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Sorting Out School Choices
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Regarding Jay Mathews's Extra Credit column in the Jan. 31 regional Extras:
The Washington region has some of the strongest schools in the country -- public and private. I disagree with Mr. Mathews's assertion that there are no "useful data" to help with decisions about alternatives to public schools; there are ample data for parents placing their children, whether the primary goal is strictly "academic rigor" or a more multifaceted perspective.
What is not available is a quick measure, such as aggregate test scores, to indicate what will lead to an individual child's optimum academic achievement and well-being. To identify the best school for a child, parents should consider all sorts of data, including teacher quality, student-to-teacher ratios and an ethos of academic challenge for all students, partnership with parents, and the level of support for achievement.
ELIZABETH DOWNES
Executive Director
Association of Independent Schools
of Greater Washington
Washington
