Are Our High School Graduates Fit to Serve?

This is old news, but my excuse is I was out of town...

Here is an AP report from 21 December of last year, published in the (San Jose) Mercury News, that one-fourth of high school students who try to join the military don't make the grade in terms of ability to pass the enlistment written test or physical tests (often due to obesity).  But, it is bigger than just the military, at least according to the US Education Secretary:

"Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career -- and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the AP. "I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system."

How are we doing here in Lowell?

Regards  —  Cliff