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I reaffirm that our education system works, not just for students that are predisposed, but for any that participate in it. My evidence is that children who are deprived of education are usually in a difficult situation for a long time. But when provided the opportunity for an education things turn around. A second factor that seems to be rising, especially in the suburbs is that the value of the 12 grades of school has changed in some parents minds. The HS diploma may not have the "currency" that it used to. The result is that a small, but sadly a growing, number of parents see HS as a hurdle, just a gate in the way of getting into college, instead of having any value of its own. These parents have started supporting their children in cheating, and getting grades changed to A's just by complaining loudly enough even for very poor performances. Their view seems to be that getting the high grade is the only advantage, that there is nothing of value to learn there. Bruce