People watching education of our youth across the nation are becoming more and more concerned about the failure of students to be able to write a coherent composition or read an article in a publication and understand what was read.

For at least the past decade, Washington community college leaders say their first job with a student coming from high schools is to get their English and math performance levels up to something near what a college freshman needs to have to successfully do higher education work.

In Seattle, schools struggle with continually falling test scores and widening rate of achievement between racial groups and, apparently, between economic classes of students.

We are concerned that the much lauded, often hated and tenaciously defended by its supporters is the acronym that is supposed to solve all for state schools: WASL or Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Students are soon going to have to pass this test or not get their diploma.

The problem is that the lack of money for schools, combined with the pressure to pass the test, is turning schools is a single mission of teaching youth how to pass the test. Everything is focused on getting through the WASL, but learning in other important areas is being eclipsed or completely done away with. The arts, science, mathematics are cut and the money used to finance WASL education. Important? Yes, but not all important.

One bright sign here in West Seattle is the news on Page One that Chief Sealth High School is on the path to launch the International Baccalaureate Program, which will expose students to an integrated university entrance program with a concentration on diversity and culture. As noted in Rebekah Schilperoort's story on the first page, Principal John Boyd says the program will help reduce the achievement gap and draw students now aiming for schools outside West Seattle.

We hope this is a successful program because Sealth needs a boost.

But the real need is for the Seattle School District to come up with a viable plan to deal with its future development. We know these people at the district are concerned, but there appears to be a bit of flailing about with no comprehensive plan. To regain the support of the community, Seattle Schools need a far-reaching program and then the steel to stick to it.

Plus the Legislature needs to stop ducking its constitutional responsibility and pay its proper share for education.