Accept the unacceptable

This is a “No Child Left Behind” accountability system that is designed specifically to prevent schools from giving up on their lowest performing students or masking their challenges with the achievements of their best students [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Woodrow, Long, Bryan Adams on state’s ‘unacceptable’ list,” Dec. 12.] The resulting designations have the opposite effect of labeling an entire school as underperforming when only a small percentage is not performing to standards. The socioeconomic diversity of the student populations at these schools is unusual across the district and makes unacceptable designation more likely due to the greater number of category groups and the resulting small size of each. This is not a cause for panic or transfer, but a rightful admonition to continue to find ways to better reach the lowest performing students. That is especially important here because the truth is that there are more underperforming students and category groups now than in the recent past. —Norman

Alston

On selling the Dallas Main Post Office

If the USPS is thinking they can cash in on a quick sale of that land, they are in for a huge disappointment [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Real estate a deciding factor in Main Post Office closure,” Dec. 9.] The new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and upcoming horseshoe project will certainly help bring new investment to Oak Cliff, but with Sylvan | Thirty still short millions in order to get started, it will be many, many years before another large project will start up in the area. The USPS may not still be around. —Downtown Worker

Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, C. C. Young offers Dallas seniors a constellation of services and opportunities. Construction is complete on The Overlook, our newest expansion, and it is NOW OPEN. Come see the latest residential addition to our ever-growing neighborhood and understand why it is retirement living at its finest. Extraordinary views, private balconies and a variety of dining venues are just the beginning at The Overlook. C. C. Young is where personal growth and development are encouraged and Where the Spirit is Ageless.