Teen Recognition

I read with great concern the article by Elaine Woo detailing California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Honig’s condemnation of three publishers of student recognition books (Part I, July 16).

As the publisher of “Who’s Who Among American High School Students,” I wholeheartedly support the valid concerns regarding the ethics and value of any program involving students in California or any state. I wish to clear up, however, any possible misconception on the part of readers--”Who’s Who” was not one of the organizations named in the advisory.

“Who’s Who Among American High School Students” is the oldest student recognition program in the country. For 20 years we have urged the education community to establish uniform standards which would enable educators, parents and students at the high school and college levels to evaluate the merits of any recognition program, be it sponsored by a for-profit or not-for-profit organization.

We challenge the generalizations made in the article that student recognition programs are “worthless” and make exaggerated claims about their value in enhancing a student’s chances for college acceptance.

We neither claim nor imply in our literature that recognition in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” will help a student get into the college of his or her choice. Nevertheless, it is inaccurate to say that colleges place no value on this honor. We regularly survey college admissions officials and have found that at many colleges (including in California, Pepperdine University, the Claremont Colleges and the University of California), admissions personnel evaluate “Who’s Who” recognition in a comparable manner as other honors, awards and activities.

PAUL C. KROUSE

Lake Forest, Ill.