All students receive a report card, but did you know that Southern California also receives one? The report card is formally called the State of the Region Report and is done by The Southern California Association of Governments or SCAG. The report released, on December 14, 2006, uses Southern California's past performance records to measure progress and growth.

The report is unique in that it grades Southern California with an A through F system on seven subjects, thus creating a school metaphor everyone can relate too.

The 2006 report card reads:

Employment: B

Income: C

Housing: D

Mobility: F

Air Quality: C

Education: D

Safety B

It is clear that the Southern California's grades are not spectacular; in fact the grades are fairly pathetic. If we were to treat Southern California as an actual student, it would have a 1.7 un-weighted grade point average.

Humor aside, this report presents an interesting look at Southern California. First it shows what we are doing correctly. For example, the report shows that as a region Southern California is becoming safe. According to SCAG the violent crime rate has decreased by 11%. In addition regarding employment the score is acceptable with unemployment rates at 5% their lowest since 1988.

More importantly it shows what Southern California needs help with. Most disturbing is California's failing grade in mobility. According to the SCAG, Southern California's high gas prices and our inherent dislike of public transportation contributed to our failure. However, Southern California is also failing two other subjects, education and housing. According to SCAG high school drop out rates are decreasing, but not at a significant rate. There are still numerous adults without a high school diploma, as high as 77% in metropolitan areas. Housing has failed due to ever increasing mortgage and rent payments, making home ownership extremely difficult in Southern California.

The catch is that these grades are based on the past year's performance. Therefore, this is not new news, only a summary of what Southern California has always known. The hope is that by bluntly showcasing our faults, change will ultimately be implemented. Like students to bad grades, so should our legislators and leaders learn from our poor marks. Let us work to pass Southern California.

The full report is available for public viewing at http://www.scag.ca.gov/sotr