Sunday, May 13, 2012

Jersey Jazzman: Star-Ledger Op-Ed = Free Advertising For Ed Contractors!

Jersey Jazzman: Star-Ledger Op-Ed = Free Advertising For Ed Contractors!:


Star-Ledger Op-Ed = Free Advertising For Ed Contractors!

With the exception of Bob Braun, the Star-Ledger op-ed pages have been exceptionally ill-informed about education. But today, they reach a new low: they give column space for a edu-preneur to hawk his wares. Along with the think-tanky Herbert Walberg from Hoover, David Anderson weighs in on the big problem facing New Jersey's schools: not enough standardized testing!
We commend Gov. Chris Christie for his proposal to make greater use of achievement testing in New Jersey’s public education system. The plan to require students to pass tests as a condition for promotion or graduation — at least at the fourth- and 12th-grade levels — represents a good first step toward bringing K-12 students to grade level. Many New Jersey students are behind; more than half need this help. [emphasis mine]
Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the hell does that mean? New Jersey consistently ranks at the top of the nation in