Gaming high stakes tests
by David Safier Those of you who haven't taught may not have thought about the most rational way for a teacher to maximize the number of students who pass high stakes tests. Advertisement Here's the thinking teacher's guide to getting the highest passing rate on AIMS (or any other state test): 1. Don't waste time … Read more
High stakes, low value tests
by David Safier The nation bought into high stakes testing for accountability and incentives with no evidence they do any good because, well, because the idea sounds like it makes so much sense. Test the students, then improve their performance, then reward teachers and administrators whose students make the most progress. What could be simpler? … Read more
You would think . . .
by David Safier You would think a report stating 70% of the firearms picked up by authorities in Mexico originate in the U.S. would make the no-gun-laws crowd think maybe there should be a few restrictions on who can buy guns in the U.S. (That 70% figure, by the way, is from an article in … Read more
Howard Fischer goes after David Schapira, and blurs the line between professionalism and partisanship
Posted by Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings Last night, I put up a post that quoted from a story written by Howard Fischer of Capital Media Services. Actually, I should just say "written by Howard Fischer" because he *is* Capitol Media Services. It's a one-man operation where he is reporter, photographer, editor, business manager, … Read more
Arizona Democratic Party: How to help victims of AZ wildfires
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Announcement from the Arizona Democratic Party. There is still another week to make donations: How to help victims of AZ wildfires Dear Friends, The Wallow Fire is now the second largest wildfire in state history. Residents in eastern Arizona communities are being evacuated and displaced into shelters and other areas of the … Read more
Tucson City Council Election Update: Marshall Home™ has some explaining to do
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Daily Star today reports Both Democratic hopefuls for Tucson mayor are challenged: Tucson resident and Democratic activist Luke Knipe filed a challenge alleging Marshall Home shouldn't be able to run on two fronts – that he doesn't meet residency requirements and that he never had his civil rights restored after … Read more
Pearce Republicans fiddle while Arizonans burn
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings …not the best title ever written, but it's better than the original – "Ya gotta be [bleepin'] kiddin' me!" On Friday, the Arizona legislature was supposed to meet to make a change to Arizona law that would allow nearly 15,000 of Arizona's long-term unemployed to collect an additional 20 … Read more
