In the past, we've lamented the fact that parents' control over their children's choices in life seems to be dwindling.

As parents, we are confronted every day with the power of marketing, the appeal of visual electronics (read: video games and television) and a legal system that leaves us with fewer and fewer means to resist the poor choices our kids make.

But at least in our Touchet Valley communities, children, parents and educators seem to be making choices that are paying off for stu- dents, for the reputations of our school districts and for our society.

Last week, the Times carried a...