School Accreditation: A Place to Start

A news story by

The Times-Dispatch's Holly Prestidge reported the welcome news:

"For the second consecutive year, a record number of Virginia's public schools have reached full accreditation after passing state tests in math, English, science, and history during the 2008-09 academic year."

Ninety-eight percent of the commonwealth's schools achieved the standards. Central Virginia mirrored the statewide picture. Every school in Hanover and Chesterfield earned full accreditation. Only one school in Henrico was accredited with warning. Forty-four of Richmond's 47 schools made the grade. Petersburg recorded improvement, with three of its seven schools listed as accredited. Nearby systems with a 100-percent accreditation rate include the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Goochland, King William, King and Queen, Louisa, New Kent, Powhatan, and Prince George -- plus the cities of Colonial Heights and Hopewell.

Credit goes to teachers, principals, superintendents, administrators, and -- above all -- to students and their parents. Citizen volunteers contributed, too. In Richmond, for instance, the Micah Initiative pairs members of the various faith communities with the schools. Compassionate mentors help youngsters with their lessons, and set positive examples for daily life.

While we applaud the news, we also must point out that the Standards of Learning represent not an end but a start. They set a baseline, but by themselves do not indicate excellence. SOL accreditation ultimately should be routine. No one expects schools -- public, private, or in the home -- to produce students universally qualified for admission to Princeton, Stanford, or the military academies. Those schools are not for everyone -- they are not even for every honor-roll student with top SAT scores. Nevertheless, the SOLs represent the minimum -- the level students have to pass if they are to attain higher planes.

Virginia released the 2008-09 SOL results about one week after President Barack Obama greeted students as they returned for the 2009-10 school year. His broadcast generated considerable controversy. Indeed, a Department of Education study guide issued for the event approached idolatry. Yet although the content relied too much on the first person singular, Obama's overall message resonated, particularly when the president reminded youngsters of their obligations:

"Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part, too. So I expect all of you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us down. Don't let your family down or your country down. Most of all, don't let yourself down. Make us all proud."