Before sharing the basis for this conclusion, I must admit a certain bias against standardized tests. At best, they represent only one measure of academic achievement. I also fear the tendency of school's to teach to tests. Nevertheless, "The STAR, California's primary achievement test for all public school students, is the chief component of the state's Academic Performance Index, the numerical yardstick by which schools in the state are measured." So how did Los Gatos High School perform in 2002? Very poorly.

On Aug. 31, the Mercury News published the STAR results on 601 schools in four area counties (the paper's circulation area). Scores or rankings were provided in five subjects—reading, math, language, science and social science). At the high school level, rankings were provided for three grades (9, 10 and 11). Rankings were compared between 2001 and '02.

I also accessed archived data on line. The rankings reflect how well students performed compared with a national sample of students. Here are some of the most disturbing results:

Of 15 rankings (five subjects times three grades), 13 declined at Los Gatos High School from 2001 to '02. This was the worst performance of the 36 high schools in Santa Clara County and was more than twice the average of five.

On average across all subjects and grades, rankings dropped 5.6 percent at Los Gatos High School from '01 to '02. Again, no high school in Santa Clara County had a higher percentage drop.

Compared to "like" high schools (e.g., Saratoga, Gunn, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View), Los Gatos High School now has lower rankings in almost every subject and every grade.

With one exception, rankings are lower in '02 than '98 in every subject and every grade. The trend lines over the last four years are clearly down in every subject and every grade.

Eleventh graders, who have been at Los Gatos High School the longest, had the biggest decline in rankings between '98 and '02 in every subject. Their overall decline across all subjects was 9.5 percent. This appears to be a Los Gatos High School problem. All of the other schools in the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District and the Los Gatos Union Elementary School District showed net increases in rankings.

As a parent of a Los Gatos High School student, as a taxpayer who has consistently supported the parcel tax and as a property owner, I am eager to hear from the school board and Los Gatos High School administration how they explain these results. Further, I would like to know what the funding implications are, if any. Finally, I would like to know what plans there are to address what appears to be a serious issue. My understanding is that the STAR results will be discussed at the Oct. 1 school board meeting. That will probably be a good time to answer the wake up call and begin to Catch a Falling STAR.

—Ron Eastman, Monte Sereno


Comments about Lucas misleading

Dionne Niemi's comments (Los Gatos Weekly­Times, Oct. 2) on Jack Lucas (candidate for West Valley­Mission College District Trustee) were both inane and misleading.

Fact: Since qualification is a non-issue, efforts by opponents to slice and dice Mr. Lucas' record haven't worked.

A closer look at Ms. Niemi's letter suggests political motive. She is part of the "more of the same" crowd (largely Saratogan) that is responsible for the district's current mess—a group with a long tradition of mismanagement and resistance to adaptational demands (in contrast, see De Anza).

Ms. Niemi tries to obfuscate the dire desperation that has motivated the highly unusual, eyebrow raising step of locals endorsing "one of their own"—in this race, Mr. Lucas' opponent. When Mr. Lucas cried, "I smell fish," it obviously stirred things up.

—Greg Hall, Los Gatos


Observations regarding Lucas letter

I take keyboard in hand to make a couple of observations regarding a letter to the editor in the Oct. 2 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly­Times from Ms. Dionne Niemi regarding her feelings about Mr. Jack Lucas, who is the mayor of Monte Sereno (again) and who is a candidate for the position of a West Valley­Mission Community College District Trustee.

I have known and admired Jack Lucas for many years, as he has dedicated his life to serving his students as a teacher and his community as a well informed member of the Monte Sereno City Council. I have seen Mr. Lucas in action on numerous occasions at the council meetings and at his monthly "Coffee With The Mayor" get-togethers, and I have always been impressed with his knowledge, his fairness and his dedication to serving the Monte Sereno and Los Gatos communities.

I have never had the experience of meeting Ms. Niemi because I do not recall ever meeting her at any of the council meetings or mayor's coffee get-togethers. In fact, I would be willing to bet a farthing or two that she has never been to a meeting and obviously doesn't even know Jack Lucas. If she knew Mr. Lucas, I am certain that she would never have written such trite remarks about this fine public servant.

I know that I will be voting for Jack Lucas in the next election, not only because I feel he is the best man for the job but also just to say "thank you, Jack" for your dedication and for your years of sacrifice in striving to make this a better place to live. You certainly have earned it.

—Larry Brown, Monte Sereno


Town supports Place for Teens fundraiser

On behalf of A Place for Teens, we would like to thank the restaurants and the town merchants who participated this year in our seventh annual Food Fest fund-raiser. This was the biggest event ever, due in large part to both the help of the town—as we were able to collaborate in the Town Plaza Celebration—and also to the incredible work the restaurants and merchants put into making this such an enjoyable event for all of us.

These restaurants prepared fantastic food, came Sunday, Sept. 22, to serve us and offered it all as a benefit to A Place for Teens. This is town spirit and commitment to youth that is truly unique, and deserves our ongoing support. Many of these 20 restaurants have participated for years, and some are newly opened and jumped in as well. The food they prepared was spectacular, beyond what one might find at such an event except in Los Gatos. This spirit is something to be cherished.

Please see the Food Fest ad in today's paper where we have a listing of all the restaurants that presented some of their best dishes for the benefit of all of us. We were all able to sample some fantastic food as we ate our way around town without ever leaving the Plaza. Further, we thank the merchants who donated products and services that we were able to auction or raffle as another method of fundraising. Again, too many to list here, so please see our advertisement. These folks deserve our support.

And thanks to the good citizens who came to the event to support us and have some fun. The Plaza re-opening was historic in its size and scope for our town. Those who were there are a part of that history and our kids will be telling their kids the story of the fountain being turned on the first time, and then running through it. We all appreciate this sense of community, and A Place for Teens thanks those who made it happen with such style.

— Lee Fagot, co-president, A Place for Teens