Session: 1234567891011121314         Page 568569570571572573574575576577578579580581582583584585586587588589590591592593594595596597598599600601602603604605606607608609610611612613614615616617618619620621622623624625626627628629630631632633634635636637638639 of 763

our tests in which it is clear, from the elementary grades that we test statewide, that parochial schools have consistently higher averages in the basic academic subjects of reading and arithmetic than the public schools.

Now there are some public schools in some of the more affluent areas of the city that also have high reading scores, and other basic academics.

You mentioned two factors there. The selectivity of the students, or their parents. And you also used the term rigidity.

Excuse me one moment. I haven't been in the office for a ile. [TAPE INTERRUPTION]

You also mentioned the term rigidity. When you used that term, were you thinking at all in terms of the religious nature of-- well, the sponsors of the school, if not actually most of the teachers too. Or were you thinking more in terms of the fact that a parochial school can expel students more easily?

That plus the rigidity, meaning the methodology too.

Religion aside?

Aside from religion. Quite so. I mean, the method of eaching, maybe more rote and repetition and what not. Which I think