by David Safier When test scores are make-or-break for teachers and administrators, it causes some people to bend the rules to save their bacon and/or boost their standing. Stories have emerged of outright cheating, like teachers and/or administrators erasing students' wrong answers and bubbling in the right ones. Less blatant ways to "help" students before … Read more
by David Safier If you listen to the Goldwater Institute’s Matthew Ladner, the only test score that matters in the educational universe is the 4th grade reading score on the national NAEP exam. The reason is, that’s where Florida shines compared to other states. The fact that Florida holds back lots of its lowest performing … Read more
by David Safier You know how I've been after Goldwater Institute's Matthew Ladner for his fact- and analysis-challenged "research" work? It looks like I'm not the only one who is noticing, as Ladner extends his reach, preaching the gospel of the "Florida Education Miracle" to state legislatures across the country. The National Education Policy Center, … Read more
by David Safier I'm still reeling from the U.S.-hating article in yesterday's Star, Key parts of famed treaty with Mexico set for display. I'm sure it must have been written by one of them TUSD Ethnic Studies teachers or another of them give-the-Southwest-back-to-Mexico radicals. I mean, give me a break. The article says, when the … Read more
by David Safier The headline is a verbatim quote: "Arizona people insist that Arizona schools be of the best, regardless of cost." It's on page 6 of the book, "Arizona, a State Guide." You might have trouble finding it at your local bookstore, though. The copyright date is 1940, held by The Arizona State Teachers … Read more