When the RISD is named a “Recognized” district, my property values (and yours) shoot up like Old Faithful. Congratulations to every student, teacher, administrator, and parent.
So why do I feel uncomfortable knowing that home buyers and Realtors are focused on that designation?
The thing is, it does not tell the story of our fantastic neighborhood and our outstanding schools.
If I were starting out with a new family, the question I would want answered is –- What percentage of kids ace that test PLUS read Shakespeare and write poetry and master trig and act in the school play and play the oboe and tutor math and play soccer and lead a bible study and cheer for the basketball team.
I’m not saying the test is easy. I’ve seen it and it isn’t.
But kids at LHHS have so much more going on than just passing that test.
I believe that no child should be left behind. But a large percentage of LH students are summiting Mount Everest while we measure the foothill they passed on the way up.
It’s no one’s fault –- progress must be quantified and achievements must be documented. But Lake Highlands graduates are being accepted into the nation’s finest universities. Then, once thrown in with the best and brightest, they are earning scholarships, internships, and leadership positions around campus. The fact that they passed the TAKS at an “acceptable” rate just doesn’t tell that tale.
