Disparities exist in educational performance between racial minorities and whites that may be due to socio- economic factors as well as a flawed system of teacher assignments. But communities are distinguished by how they approach these problems, and the very existence of the Summit Education Initiative to facilitate improvement is evidence of the seriousness of the endeavor in this county. It is reassuring that several collaborative efforts are under way in the Akron area to develop higher learning standards and to improve training for teachers. Other initiatives include a new grant program that would promote exemplary community partnerships and another that would help school track performance indicators. The future of a community is shaped by how well it educates succeeding generations.
Summit County has the means and the talent to rise to the challenge.