News-Record.com

As our story explained, the rankings are based on the number of high-level tests (Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate) taken, divided by the number of graduating seniors at each school.

A good ratio can be deceptive if a school combines a lot of students taking high-level courses AND a lot of students dropping out before graduation.

That seems to be part of the story at, say, High Point Central, which has an IB program but also a lot of socioeconomically disadvantaged students. In some ways, it's two schools on one campus.

Nevertheless, some very positive things are happening at Guilford County high schools -- and I give Superintendent Terry Grier a lot of the credit.

That's heresy among his many critics. But the same guy whom so many unhappy parents want to get outta here may be responsible for giving their children and others greater opportunities.

When Grier came here five years ago, he stated a goal to expand the IB program and push more students into AP and honors courses. He's done that, despite some resistance by people who said more kids couldn't handle challenging academic assignments.

As Jennifer Fernandez reported today, the number of AP tests taken by Guilford students increased from 2,864 in 1999-2000 to 6,804 in 2003-2004. I would expect this year's number will be higher than that. The increase has been especially pronounced among minority students.

Students who take AP and IB courses -- and the IB program is available at Smith now, as well as Grimsley and Central -- are going to be better prepared for college. College admissions offices recognize the value of their work. They're more likely to admit students who have tackled rigorous courses in high school. And those students are more likely to do well in college, even if they didn't score particularly well on the AP or IB exams.

At some of our high schools, AP scores have been disappointing. But there is value in students pushing themselves to learn more rather than taking the easier courses. Perhaps if these students had taken more demanding courses earlier, they'd be better prepared. But as long as the administration continues to emphasize high-level courses, we should see improvement year after year.

A lot is made of test scores, which I think is appropriate. But, too often, schools are measured only by the number of students who score at the minimum level of competency. They also should be measured by how many students are achieving at high levels, because this country needs all the high-achieving students it can turn out.

That's what Newsweek is looking at.

Sure, we have far too many students who are falling below grade level and dropping out. We've got to fix those weaknesses and the discipline problems that often contribute to academic failures. But we've also got to strengthen opportunities for students to achieve at the highest levels. They do that by enrolling in AP and IB courses -- the most rigorous available at the high school level.

So hooray for all the students who have stepped up to the challenge and to GCS teachers and administrators who have made it possible.