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Show State PTA President Praises Schools For Achievements build on his strengths and improve on his weaknesses," notes Judd. "Research shows us that tests are warranted only if they diagnose the student's capabilities or learning problems." "One-half . of all students tested overall, no matter how well they have mastered the material are told that they are below average. Each student is told by the test that his performance per-formance is important only to the extent that he compares against other students taking the test -- since that is all these tests can do." Ms. Judd explains that rather than getting upset over test scores, parents could improve the schools more by encouraging and directing their children's choices in curriculum. She says if parents urge intellectual in-tellectual choices in subject matter, it will make the schools a more intellectual place. "The schools can help also by making heroes out of intellectual students instead of just hero athletes," adds Ms. Judd. : Concluding her remarks, Ms. Judd reiterated her opinion that Utah schools are institutions to be proud of and if there's improvements im-provements to be made, people should understand un-derstand it is a long,' tedious process. "Utah produces some of the best-educated people in the nation despite larger than average class loads and less money spent per pupil," says Judd. State PTA President Gayle Judd says education today is more successful that it has ever been, asks that test scores be viewed in their appropriate light and calls for parental and patron support in improving schools, in an address given in the public opportunity time alloted by Alpine District's School Board June 16. Ms. Judd lauded schools for their achievements and efforts ef-forts thus far, and gave education credit for putting the space shuttle into orbit. "We are the only nation who has accomplished this feat," she points out. "We are doing something right." Ms. Judd cites several reasons she believed education in Utah can be called "more successful suc-cessful today than ever." "More youth are graduating from high school than ever before. More children are educated for less dollars than in any other state, and a broader cross section of society is being educated today," she said. According to Judd, these facts deserve more attention than test scores. "Standardized tests contribute to furor in many communities. The test cannot be seen as a goal in the educational process, but must be a means in designing an i n -dividualized education program for each child," she said. The newly-elected President says it is unfair to compare teacher against teacher, school against school and district to district because no two are equal. Ms. Judd refers to controversy and concern con-cern during the past school year when test scores in the district appeared to be falling from the time a student left third grade until he reached eleventh grade. Although parents worried over the declining scores suggest they signal problems in the learning processes within district schools, Ms. Judd doesn't see this as reason for alarm. "The test should only be used to help a child |