George Will makes a critical observation that the best predictor of school performance is family performance (“More Gauzy Goals for US Schools,” PostOpinion, March 18).

That criterion applies to performance on the Advanced Placement exam. It has to be noted, however, that although various schools administer AP exams, the schools themselves do not grade these tests. The schools must be able to choose candidates for the AP classes who have a chance of passing exams meant to qualify students for college-level credit.

Schools must have in place standards and procedures that will give some assurance that students in AP courses will have an opportunity to pass the exams that someone else will grade.

Irl Flanagan, Southampton