Some 8,686 New York City third- and sixth-graders were assigned to summer school after a standardized test showed them failing in core subjects, with mathematics the greatest area of weakness. Now that summer’s over, the testing company, CTB/McGraw-Hill, admits it goofed; the scores were calculated incorrectly, summer school was unnecessary. Seems they forgot to carry the one.

Yale University junior Asit Gosar narrowly won the Democratic nomination for the New Haven Board of Alderman in a primary Tuesday. By Wednesday, the victory was tainted by charges that at least 20 students who do not live in the contested ward illegally voted there after being recruited by his campaign. Mr. Gosar clearly has mastered the first half of his double major — politics. The second half — ethics — needs some work.

The public image of the Maine legal profession has had better weeks. First, Portland lawyer and former judge Henry Berry filed suit against the city, claiming its 18-year-old practice of using “the boot” to immobilize cars with unpaid parking tickets is an unconstitutional siezure of property, a trampling of civil liberties that only became apparent when it happened to him. Then, Rockland Lawyer Jean Chalmers arranged for the media to be on hand when she got herself ticketed for intentionally violating the city’s dog ordinance, saying it’s OK to break the law if you’re willing to pay the price. Where’d these two go to law school — Yale?

Congress has approved legislation increasing the salaries of high-level federal officials, including $4,600 more for themselves — their first raise since way, way back in 1998. It also doubles the presidential salary to $400,000, the theory being that the higher pay will attract a better class of job applicant. Or at least ones with more discreet girlfriends.