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— ADVANCED CLASSES. The Pittsburgh Scholars Program, now in its second year, has enabled roughly 650 pupils in the eighth and ninth grades to take a high-powered set of college-prep courses. A vigorous, five-year program of study, the Scholars Program is utilizing new courses created by university scholars in cooperation with the school system. Marland says that "the program is one way in which we provide students with the means to stretch for excellence by bringing together exceptional students, exceptional teachers and a very demanding curriculum."
Superintendent Marland is cautious about making claims for Pittsburgh's dramatic drive for educational excel lence. "We can't prove through conventional means that our work is paying off," he says. "We can't prove that Johnny can read better. We can prove that he behaves better, that he enjoys school more, that his attitude is better, that he is reading more library books. We are satisfied we are on the right road, and we will stay on it and continue to invest heavily."