The Illinois Board of Higher Education flunked an exam last week.

The failing grade most likely stemmed from two deficiencies: not knowing a definition and not knowing where something should be done.

Colleges are not places for remedial classes. Check a dictionary. “Higher” and “remedial” are not interchangeable.

But the board is right in its assessment that tighter budgets and two faced politicians are screwing education. Anybody arguing that schools in Illinois are doing their jobs only prove they are products of these schools.

The board should be congratulated for telling everybody something that by now is common knowledge. Now it’s time for it to use common sense.

Students who need remedial help should get it a junior college. One of the biggest functions a junior college has it to prepare students for college.

Without a deeper commitment from the legislature, high-school isn’t going to make across-the-board improvements. Higher education is already suffering. Junior colleges are in the same boat.

Individuals with college aspirations should not be ignored. However, taking money, space and instructors away from students fortunate enough to be ready for college is foolish and unfair. Junior college is the logical place for these courses.

Nobody said educating today’s society would be easy. Because we, as a society, ave neglected the youth in the past, we are forced to make hard decisions for the future.

One of those decisions is teaching remedial students in junior college. There is no shame in getting help.

Preparing for college is something one dows before going to college-not something done once they get there.