Schools of Thought

The media seems to be buying the NAEP spin hook, line and sinker. Let's be clear about what's in question: Between 2003 and 2005, the first period of time tested after the No Child Left Behind Act was in place and on line, did the achievement gaps close significantly? On an overall average score level, I've demonstrated below that they have simply not. How about in the categories of proficiency, another way to cut the data?

4th grade reading:
Black students (percentage at each level)
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below basic: 2003 -- 61; 2005 -- 59
basic: 2003 -- 27; 2005 -- 29
proficient: 2003 -- 11; 2005 -- 11
advanced: 2003 -- 2; 2005 -- 2

Hispanic students
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below basic: 2003 -- 57; 2005 -- 56
basic: 2003 -- 28; 2005 -- 29
proficient: 2003 -- 12; 2005 -- 13
advanced: 2003 -- 2; 2005 -- 2

White students
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below basic: 2003 -- 26; 2005 -- 25
basic: 2003 -- 34; 2005 -- 35
proficient: 2003 -- 30; 2005 -- 30
advanced: 2003 -- 10; 2005 -- 10

Will someone please show me these heart-warming gap closures? I see, at most, a 1% shrinkage. If that's "pleasing," to use Secretary Spellings' word, we've got some serious problems. We really have some serious problems.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 4:39 PM. |