and the Island as a whole.

The US is not exactly a superpower when it comes to scholastic achievement.

In fact, the US has spent millions of dollars on studies to improve their public school system which has been rated among the worst in the world.

Bermuda's students often excel in US-based standardised tests such as the California Achievement Test (CAT), which is administered at the Primary Five level, and the college-entry Standard Aptitude Test (SAT).

But without examples of the questions asked and details of local students' performance on the Stanford Diagnostic Test which was administered in schools Islandwide for the first time late last year, it is difficult to assess the significance of this test compared to others.

We are told that the test uses "more lengthy word problems'' to assess students' critical thinking skills, while Bermuda's school system has tended to emphasise memorisation.

The Stanford test was administered to Primary 3 to Senior 3 students to establish a benchmark by which to measure their subsequent performance and progress.

But how can parents, employers, and the public as a whole keep track of this without knowing the results of the initial test? The Education Ministry has not released the results to parents or the public.

Parents have only learned of their children's performance upon specific request.

And education officials have been reluctant to discuss details of the test with the Press.

One reason given is that their release would do more harm than good in light of uncertainty about the public school system.

But this newspaper questions such logic since the reported purpose of administering the Stanford Test was to diagnose students' strengths and weaknesses.

And we ask just who is the Education Ministry trying to protect by keeping these test results private? If our students are struggling in basic subjects, such as maths and English, it will become evident as they move from one level of the system to another -- as is the case currently at the senior school level.

And it will definitely be exposed as they fill out college and/or job applications.

Parents, employers, and the public have a right to know the literacy level of our youth in general and how they compare with their counterparts across the ocean.

After all, these students will be the leaders and workforce of tomorrow -- or will they? Students' performance on the Stanford should not overshadow the many success stories which do come out of our public school system.

The most recent example is the performance of our National Debate Team led by former Berkeley Institute student Jordan Zancanella.

Even though the team -- made up of 15 to 17-year-olds from private and public schools -- returned yesterday from the World Debate Championships in London without winning trophies, the teens placed sixth out of 30 larger countries.

And as Premier Jennifer Smith -- who was also in London -- pointed out, the students deserve to be congratulated on their highest placement ever.