Scholastic Wins for L.A. Schools

Congratulations to the National Science Bowl winners from Van Nuys High School Science and Math Magnet (May 2). Congratulations to the U.S. Academic Decathlon champions, L.A.’s John Marshall High (April 24). Congratulations to both of Los Angeles’ perfect 1,600 Scholastic Assessment Test (national college placement exam) scorers (May 3). Congratulations to all the teachers, coaches and parents involved.

This just shows what being involved with education and others will do. If everyone from students to teachers to parents gets involved and places importance on education, I am sure that everyone will be happier and the future will be brighter.

BRIAN D. BRAHMS

Van Nuys

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We are constantly being reminded how poorly the Los Angeles Unified School District performs on standardized tests whenever compared to other school districts in the state and in the country. It seems as if there is some pleasure derived from making the LAUSD look bad. Well, it’s time to applaud the students and teachers responsible for bringing outstanding recognition to the Los Angeles school district. Marshall High School’s national academic decathlon title and Van Nuys High School’s National Science Bowl title are proof positive that excellence cannot be measured by standardized tests alone.

Dale Shuger and Jennifer Koo, both LAUSD students, scored perfect 1,600s on their Scholastic Assessment Tests. Perhaps the Los Angles Unified School District is doing a better job than most are willing to admit.

Perhaps a visit to a local public school classroom might help change one’s perception of what’s really going on. Perhaps the testing formats utilized in the public system do not truly measure those skills that would accurately reflect student growth and progress.

And what about our limited-English-speaking students? How can we expect accurate scores from these students on an English-only test?

Congratulations to Shuger, Koo, Marshall High School and Van Nuys High School for reminding us how proud we should be of our students in the Los Angeles school district. This is one teacher who appreciates your fine work and appreciates being reminded that what we all do is significant. Thank you for making us so proud!

RONN YABLUN

Calabasas