WEEKEND QUOTABLES

The real cost of war  

IT BELONGS to every citizen to have in mind what the nation’s present wars are doing — not only to US troops, Iraqis and Afghans, and the faceless enemy, but to the American character. We have come to understand that the brutalities of combat can shatter participants psychologically as well as physically. (James Carroll, Boston Globe)

Race to top forces firing of top principal

“There is no one in the federal government that knows what kind of leadership De Ann Currin is providing, and there’s lots of people in Lincoln, Nebraska, that do." (Answer Sheet)

Closing 2 dozen alternative schools in L.A. 

"It's hard for me to stay out of the streets," said Gabriel, who, like other students in the programs, can't be fully identified because of their status. "When I'm here, it takes my mind off things. If the school closes, I worry it might be a big fall for me." (L.A. Times)

Philly Small Schools

Science Leadership principal Christopher Lehmann said that 116 of the 117-member senior class at the school, at 21st and Arch streets, graduated last week. The one student who didn't graduate will get a diploma after completing a summer course.

"I'm very proud of what the kids have done," Lehmann said. "We hope we have built a school that matters." (Philly Daily News)

Who's failure?

"If it is the job of administration to hire, fire and evaluate teachers and yet they fail to do so, why are unions blamed for this? (Retired teacher comments on Answer Sheet)