Education: The New Elite

Of the many themes that U.S. educators have sounded since the war, few have commanded quite as much attention as: How can the nation make sure that its brightest high-school students will go on to college? Last year the U.S. got one answer with the formation of the most ambitious, privately supported scholarship program in history. Last week, from its headquarters in Evanston, Ill., the National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of its first winners—the 556 members of the new elite who now bear the title National Merit Scholars.

When the corporation...

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