"But despite a push from educators for more funding to reduce class sizes and increase salaries, not to mention the fact that fewer than half of third graders are proficient in reading..."
I often see similar hand wringing, but when I look for the source, things get sketchy. Usually, the reference is to standardized test scores as measured by the NAEP. Right on the homepage of that org is the explanation that "proficient" is a very high level of achievement, equivalent to A work. Of course fewer than half of third graders are proficient! In fact, half are below average - because that's the meaning of "average."
Don't allow those in favor of privatizing public schools deprive those same schools of the funds needed to educate everyone, using test scores as an excuse. Measuring the worth of education based on test scores is thoroughly reductionist.
"But despite a push from educators for more funding to reduce class sizes and increase salaries, not to mention the fact that fewer than half of third graders are proficient in reading..."
I often see similar hand wringing, but when I look for the source, things get sketchy. Usually, the reference is to standardized test scores as measured by the NAEP. Right on the homepage of that org is the explanation that "proficient" is a very high level of achievement, equivalent to A work. Of course fewer than half of third graders are proficient! In fact, half are below average - because that's the meaning of "average."
Don't allow those in favor of privatizing public schools deprive those same schools of the funds needed to educate everyone, using test scores as an excuse. Measuring the worth of education based on test scores is thoroughly reductionist.