The failure of public education in this country is a national scandal. It should be the number one concern of everyone, and yet there's no outrage, no political wedge issue, no media -- what's going on?
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Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
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Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#32The failure of public education in this country is a national scandal. It should be the number one concern of everyone, and yet there's no outrage, no political wedge issue, no media -- what's going on?
Public schools are heavily funded by property taxes. So schools in upper middle class and above areas are (usually) pretty great while schools and low income areas are (usually) pretty not great.
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#33This data is from the California Dept of Education. I wonder if other states track this also. My guess is that some states don't even bother, and their students likely don't perform as well. Then there are other states, small ones like Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, whose students might fall on the high side of the curve. Just a guess. Anyone know?
States have to track these sorts of metrics to qualify for federal education funding. This is an enduring result of the “No Child Left Behind” act. Before that, you were correct, many states did not track educational stats in any consistent or reliable way.
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#34[flagged]
I think viewing different opinions as some kind of disease is at the root of a lot of our current ridiculous political situation
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#35The failure of public education in this country is a national scandal. It should be the number one concern of everyone, and yet there's no outrage, no political wedge issue, no media -- what's going on?
One simple explanation would be that the problem just isn't as bad as you think it is.
What is your opinion on the NPR Reveal podcast episode about how the prominence of reading recovery instead of phonics has led to 1/3 of children by fourth grade reading at a substandard level?
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#36I'm shocked that this is happening in a state that tried to get rid of advanced math class to promote equality.
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#37Don't worry, we'll simply reduce the standards.
Aren't the standards higher now than the past? I have daughter in second grade who is learning multiplication, basic division, fractions and very basic algebra. I never learned that till 3rd and 4th grade.
Here's some sample questions from california standardized test. http://starsamplequestions.org/grades_2_3.pdf
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
If it's "normal", isn't the conclusion then that the normal is not good? The threshold is extremely low already, and that only 50% of students are hitting that threshold is concerning to me. It isn't that they aren't capable. It's that the social support structures are not there.
If nearly 50% of people perform below average is that bad?
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Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
If it's "normal", isn't the conclusion then that the normal is not good? The threshold is extremely low already, and that only 50% of students are hitting that threshold is concerning to me. It isn't that they aren't capable. It's that the social support structures are not there.
If nearly 50% of people perform below average is that bad?
I edited my comment probably as you were responding, but it wasn't my impression that that is what's being measured. Some level is set and the students are measured against that level. I would assume that the target percentage is of course close to 100% to be meeting that level. If not, then it should be. It is also my assumption that the level is already very low.
Re: Less than half of California students read or do math at grade level
#40The failure of public education in this country is a national scandal. It should be the number one concern of everyone, and yet there's no outrage, no political wedge issue, no media -- what's going on?
Public schools are heavily funded by property taxes. So schools in upper middle class and above areas are (usually) pretty great while schools and low income areas are (usually) pretty not great.
Yes, more interested parents + more money can make a huge difference even if they use the same basic textbooks/standards/etc.