A report by the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research does not give a positive rating of Elkhart County’s economy and education systems. While Elkhart County is not a perfect community, we believe the D+ grade for education and a D for the economy don’t reflect the reality in our communities.
This report is certainly disheartening, mostly because we think Elkhart County is a wonderful place to live, raise children, work and retire and we want others — even bean counters at universities — to like us too. But when they don’t embrace our community with the same strong hug we do, we should at least consider why.
The report uses economic data from a variety of sources. And as data is dated as soon as it is compiled, we guess that economic data reflects how the recession and slow recovery has shrunk our county’s economic output.
As far as the education data goes, the ranking was based on school test scores and graduation rates from high schools and colleges. For many years we have cautioned that using test scores to judge educational opportunities is full of inaccuracies.
Just looking at test scores for Elkhart County schools would not reveal that Goshen schools have a large number of students who speak English as their second language and also have limited skills in reading English. Those scores would also not reveal that Elkhart schools have many students who are economically disadvantaged.
Those scores would also not tell anyone that hundreds of Elkhart County students go on to successful college careers and then enter the highest levels of all types of professions.
But the report has been useful in one respect — it has county residents talking about the economy and education. We think this discussion can be a positive influence in ongoing efforts to improve both the county’s economy and educational opportunities.
A massive, countywide effort to doctor-up our numbers to improve next year’s grades on the report should not be undertaken by any means. Yet, those people and organizations already working on improvements should consider if these grades have any merit and if they should be considered in planning already under way. We are specifically thinking of the Elkhart County Education Alliance, which is forming to expand early childhood education and career planning for high school students.
Other than that, the report is interesting reading.
Opinion
Are we really as bad off as report says?
- Opinion
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Council makes a smart move on tax breaks
The Goshen City Council’s adoption of a tax phase-in policy for local governments will help bring uniformity to a competitive process that has pitted local governments against each other.
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Like it or not, Sheriff is going to speak freely
Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers has taken heat the past couple weeks after he commented during a political rally in downtown South Bend that he would not enforce proposed future gun-control legislation within his jurisdiction.
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Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
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We just can’t thank our moms enough
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It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
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Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
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Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
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