Thursday, June 11, 2015

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Here's the problem with 'data-driven" school reform. You need good data.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Here's the problem with 'data-driven" school reform. You need good data.:

Here's the problem with 'data-driven" school reform. You need good data.

 
Rahm projected an 82% graduation rate when he ran for office.
“No one questions the facts: more CPS students are graduating than ever before, those students are more prepared for their futures and we’re making huge strides in helping struggling kids graduate."
 --Rahm Emanuel
With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, some folks are questioning the your facts.

Becky Vevea/WBEZ and Sarah Karp/BGA certainly are:
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been talking proudly about something that is really a bit of a miracle: Even during a time of tight budgets and leadership chaos, Chicago Public Schools graduation rates have climbed to a record 69.4 percent. But new data obtained by WBEZ and the Better Government Association shows that number is wrong.
CPS records recently obtained under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act show at least 2,200 students from 25 Chicago high schools were counted as having transferred out of the district between 2011 and 2014. In reality, they were dropouts. The transfers aren’t factored into CPS graduation rates, while dropouts are. (Emanuel touts bogus graduation rate)
Cooked books. No problem. 
The worst part of this is that Rahm and CPS officials admit that the books are cooked but basically say, "Don't confuse us with facts. We know what we want you to know." They are also muzzling principals while the Ministry of Lies and Deception Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Here's the problem with 'data-driven" school reform. You need good data.: