Posted by James, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Aug 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm

A high percent of Seniors graduate, but I think they loose a bunch of kids in the first three years of highschool. This is economically unsustainable.

Posted by KD, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Aug 19, 2011 at 4:16 pm

"About 92.5 percent of the seniors in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District graduated last year. That's 14.2 percent more than the 78.3 percent of seniors who graduated countywide, according to a recent report from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Actually, 92.5% is 18.1% (not 14.2%) more than 78.3%. (Proof (92.5-78.3) / 78.3 = .181 = 18.1%) 92.5% is, however, 14.2 "percentage points" higher than 78.3%. (Proof 92.5 - 78.3 = 14.2)

In fairness to the Santa Clara Board of Education, their report dated August 16 actually uses the terms "percentage point gain", indicating that they understand the difference between "percentage point differential" "percentage change".

I only hope that the Voice wasn't relying on wording contained in a press release from the MVLA High School District when they wrote this article.....

Posted by Sad, sad state of affairs, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Aug 19, 2011 at 11:38 pm

Are we really to the point of applauding the fact that one in three GRADUATES from one of the highest ranking districts in the state does not meet the MINIMUM requirements to attend UC or CSU? Folks, these are the minimum requirements to go on to UC/CSU... a fair number of these 'success stories' are likely unprepared to succeed in college.

Posted by Observer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Aug 20, 2011 at 7:51 am

Right on target James,

"Still, 69 OF the 921 enrolled seniors did not graduate last year."

(Does anyone proofread and edit these articles?)

How many kids dropped out in grades, 9, 10 and 11?

Answer that and I'll be impressed with the reporting and journalistic effort. Otherwise this is just a press release from the school district masquerading as journalism.

Posted by James, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Aug 20, 2011 at 9:53 am

Here's an another view: Web Link

There's also an interesting article in Scientific American about learning, probably no surprise Music training is very good for the brain. My personal experience is that Art, and Math and Science are very closely related.