Tom Horne is in his glory - again!  New statistics show that the Arizona dropout rate is on the decline, although still the worst in the nation.  Not that the graduates are any more literate - it's just that expectations and standards continue to decline, also!  More than 34,000 seniors were allowed to graduate, last Spring, because they received grades of 'C' or above - in any course, including electives - even though they could not pass the dumbed-down AIMS tests.  As the statesman Disraeli once said, there are three types of lies - lies, damn lies and statistics!....The State has now allowed targeted districts another extension, until September 15th, just to offer commentary on suggested redistricting plans, in order to save money on expenses - including classroom and building supplies, etc., and the extreme administrative costs.  How much time do they need to turn down an offer which would relinquish local control, and eliminate their own jobs?....Horne wants Charter and Public schools to work together.  With the tenet of local control, even schools within the same district do not necessarily(and typically do not) work together!....Lastly, a recent national report ranks Arizona 36th, based on ten indicators of child well-being, including poverty, death rates and education.  These indicators site one of the highest teen-birth rates, a soaring teen death rate, high poverty and low health insurance coverage rates, and - once again - the worst dropout rate in the nation.  And, once again, Tom Horne refutes these reports, saying that the sources are limited in scope - like his ability to be an effective Superintendent!