Lifelong Learning

WE’VE GONE OUT ON THIS LIMB BEFORE, and nobody sawed it off. So we’re back this year with our second installment of San Diego’s “Top Schools.” Choosing a school is one of the toughest decisions parents can make. All of us want the best for our children. Most of us could use some help finding it. And so, at the risk of sounding like a mouthpiece for the federal government, we’re here to help. Last year, we endeavored to steer parents toward the best high schools in the region. This year, we concentrate on the lower grades.

Of course, we know there’s more to choosing a school than checking report cards. There are dozens of variables. But when it comes right down to it, we’re playing a numbers game. And again, we’ve called on contributing writer Marcia Manna to lead us through the maze of numbers that help identify the schools with higher-achieving students. Manna also attempted to get past the numbers to explore the people and programs that produce our top schools and students.

While we’re at it, we hope to educate our readers.

At the other end of the scale, we’ve called up a veteran San Diego journalist to bring readers an eye-opening education on a matter confronting many of our parents: elder abuse. Dave Feldman, a professor at San Diego State University——and recently retired copy editor for The San Diego Union-Tribune——offers an eye-opening account of the terrors that seniors face from everyone from scam artists to healthcare providers to their own children.

Also this month: Dave Good plays his own numbers game——counting everything from Nobel laureates to high-tech headquarters——in an attempt to determine just how smart we are in San Diego. Ron Donoho is back from Cooperstown with a personal account of the celebration surrounding San Diego Padre Tony Gwynn’s induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Heather Eubanks produces a stunning spread on what’s hot in fall fashion. And in a Dialogue interview, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders defends his record and sets the tone for his 2008 re-election campaign.

When you’ve finished reading all that, we hope you’ve learned something.

Tom Blair
Editor-in-Chief

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