THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 TAG: 9504260008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
``The problem is federal'' (editorial, April 21) appears to have engaged in a little hyperbole on at least one point: that of ``underperforming schools'' in South Dakota.
The Old Dominion should do so well in terms of school performance. A quick look at the figures published by the U.S. Department of Education would show that in terms of graduation rate, South Dakota was sixth in the nation with a rate of 85.3 percent and Virginia 30th, with a rate of 74 percent (1992 data as published in the World Almanac).
Those schools were able to teach and graduate those students for about $700 less per year, per student. Not bad for a ``poor state'' that doesn't even have a state income tax, wouldn't you agree?
In looking at the revenue sources which provide educational dollars, it would seem that at the local (all politics being local) and intermediate levels, the South Dakotans are advantaged there as well with 58.6 percent vis-a-vis our 60.1 percent of revenues for education.
The thrust of the editorial - to not overdo tax-cutting - was well-taken. The best interests of that sentiment are best served by accurate data, and for that reason I bring this to your attention.
EDWARD SOLESKY
Chesapeake, April 21, 1994 by CNB