80 Students Won't Graduate Due to Math Test
Linda Shaw of the Seattle Times reported today that there are 80 high school seniors who can't graduate because they didn't pass the two state End Of Course math tests. School principals wanted superintendent Banda to seek a waiver for the students but the superintendent Banda will not. Statewide there are over 3,000 students in a similar situation.
What Do We Spend Our Education Dollars On?
Apparently there is some confusion out there, particularly among conservatives.
Over at Crosscut, they have been doing some good reporting on this year's legislative session. (FYI, it is supposed to end on Sunday but odds are they will not reach agreement on the budget and have a (costly) special session.)
Reporter John Stang's article about the Dems and what they are trimming from their budget was useful reading. One quote that is pertinent to this thread was this one:
"We don't need new taxes. We've got plenty of money for education," said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.
"We have to have the courage to fund education first and say 'no' to the other people," Orcutt said.
Over at Crosscut, they have been doing some good reporting on this year's legislative session. (FYI, it is supposed to end on Sunday but odds are they will not reach agreement on the budget and have a (costly) special session.)
Reporter John Stang's article about the Dems and what they are trimming from their budget was useful reading. One quote that is pertinent to this thread was this one:
"We don't need new taxes. We've got plenty of money for education," said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.
"We have to have the courage to fund education first and say 'no' to the other people," Orcutt said.
NAEP Scores in Economics - Pretty Darn Good
I'll let Diane Ravitch explain these newly released scores to you (as she's the expert) - bold mine:
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) just released the results of its Economics test for high school seniors.
Only 18% of students ranked “below basic,” which surely included high numbers of students who are English language learners and have serious disabilities.
82% are basic or above.
A remarkable 43% of students ranked “proficient” or above.
Proficient is excellent performance. Having served on the NAEP Board for seven years, I believe that a student who is proficient demonstrates A level performance.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) just released the results of its Economics test for high school seniors.
Only 18% of students ranked “below basic,” which surely included high numbers of students who are English language learners and have serious disabilities.
82% are basic or above.
A remarkable 43% of students ranked “proficient” or above.
Proficient is excellent performance. Having served on the NAEP Board for seven years, I believe that a student who is proficient demonstrates A level performance.