The Sun Journal editorial of Jan. 21 noted that too many Mountain Valley students are struggling; only 17 percent passed math and only 22 percent passed language skills.

Is “struggling” the appropriate word? If the Mountain Valley students were swimming, the majority of them would be drowning.

Yes, the majority of these students are failing. According to the percentages provided in the editorial, roughly 80 percent of the senior class is functionally innumerate or illiterate or both, but, strangely, they are not flunking.

According to recent Mountain Valley graduation rates, roughly 80 percent of Mountain Valley students can still be expected to graduate. Yes, they will graduate and, yes, they will still be functionally innumerate and illiterate.

Richard Sabine, Lewiston