WEEKLY EDITORIAL RECAP

By the numbers

Tuesday

On Sunday ... the Review-Journal reported that 54.1 percent of nearly 6,000 eighth-grade, Algebra 1 students failed (scored 59 percent or lower) their end-of-semester exam. The more devastating news, however, was that 79.2 percent of the 14,000 eighth-graders enrolled in pre-algebra -- that's basic math -- bombed the test.

To clarify: More than half of the county's eighth-graders, halfway through their final year before high school, haven't attained even limited proficiency in rudimentary math. ...

As usual, the dismal results have been greeted by a chorus of excuses. ... None of these alibis explains why valley students are allowed to advance year after year into advanced courses without knowing how to multiply, divide or solve problems with fractions.

In response to the disastrous results, Clark County Superintendent Walt Rulffes wants to form a committee to examine the school district's math program and the problems with the tests. ...

One middle school offers taxpayers the faintest hope that this lack of scholarship can be reversed. At Rogich Middle School, only 8.4 percent of pre-algebra eighth-graders failed the test. ...

The school's emphasis on technical writing required students to write their own practice test questions. And Rogich eighth-graders are allowed to give up an elective and take two math classes at a time. ...

Here's an easy recommendation for Mr. Rulffes' committee: Learn exactly what Rogich Middle School is doing and copy it -- everywhere.