Editor:

The Oct. 15 Star-Tribune headline, "Test scores raise concern," calls for immediate action.

Cal Farley's Amarillo, Texas, Boys Ranch and Girls Town does well. Boys Ranch Independent School District earned exemplary status from the state of Texas. Most Texas schools got "academically acceptable."

The children who come to BRISD usually come from troubled homes with poor school records. The Mini Farley Elementary School fifth-grade students went from scoring 55 percent pass rate in math on state exams in 2008 to 91 percent pass rate in 2009! The campus scored a pass rate of 100 percent.

I called the superintendent, Dr. Sotelo, to get their recipe, and left a message for Dr. Jim McBride, state superintendent of public instruction, to give her a call.

Dr. Sotelo said the district must support the teachers, and allow the teachers to talk to each other (team effort). "Open doors and talk. Teachers must teach so children learn. Responsibility begins with lesson preparation. Children must learn."

Internet help is available, a national program, the Teacher Advancement Program.

It is my humble opinion that too many Natrona County School District students do not know how to listen and learn. Parents can help there.

Let the NCSD strive for exemplary status in 2010.

HELEN SCHMILL, Casper