LETTER: Doesn’t like negative slant on CRCT story

While the headline read “CRCT results leave room for improvement”, your writer specifically reported improvement, when it was stated, “Still, Barrow’s system-wide results were an improvement over 2009.”

Barrow’s reading test scores were higher than 65% of the state. You reported “35 percent of school districts statewide logged higher scores than Barrow County.” Factually accurate, yet the message you sent was one, if not failure, at the least it was one of nonsuccess.

You reported that Barrow students exceeded state averages in 75 percent of the grade level subject tests, and that in 94 percent of grade level subject tests, Barrow students met or surpassed the state average. Yet your headlines sent the message, loud and clear, “CRCT results leave room for improvement”.

One of the measures of any company looking to locate/ relocate to Barrow County is the school system. It is absolutely imperative that we have a school system that is attractive to those on the outside, looking in. We must continue to improve. And we continue to improve.

Another factor of companies that look to move to Barrow County is the news that comes from our media. Any company scanning your headlines might well have come away with an impression of our school system that was not warranted.

Your journalism has been usually first-class. Your headline writer must have had an off day, for this one wasn’t up to your usual standards. Give our schools credit when deserved. They deserved it this time.

Sincerely,
Tommy Jennings