Tuesday, July 25, 2006

State Standards

I know I sound like a broken record on this whole Hargreaves issue, but I'm sure I'll find something newer and shinier soon. Until then, a report out by Education Next has a ranking not of state performance but on state standards and how they measure up nationally.
Interesting stuff.
Proficiency is a tricky word.
Florida pulled a C, nothing like striving to be average.
What this could point to is the idea that the FCAT is overly lenient in its assessment when compared to a national assessment. If this is the case, then the students who are ranked "proficient" according to state standards are below par nationally. What are we setting our students up for?
On the plus side, the bar's not quite low enough to trip over. On the minus side, it's a pretty challenging limbo. Over the next few years, it will be interesting to see if the legislature takes the time to put it at high jump level.

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