How the media helps to doom our kids to poor education

In the Las Vegas schools of Clark County School District it was just reported that the percentage of high school seniors (in the Clark County district) who passed the math proficiency test fell to just 22 percent. The reporter starts the opening paragraph with 'At first glance, the report looks like more bad news...'

Uhm, excuse me...'looks' like bad news? As in...you are about to tell me why there is good news in the fact that only slightly over 1 of 5 Seniors could pass a Multiple Choice Test based on Eighth Grade material?

Please check out the full story here: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/30/pass-rate-falls-students-taking-key-test-seniors/

In the story the reporter divulges critical facts, and then totally ignores what those facts mean.

1. The tests are based on eighth grade material;
2. These students have taken the test at least twice before (10th and 11th grades);
3. The students having failed the tests previously were known by the district to have failed and needed remedial attention (for at least two years);
4. The State of Nevada has been instructed by the Federal Dept of Education to revise the exam to include high school level material.

Data not included in the report:
5. These tests are largely Multiple Choice, making them one of the easiest test types to pass because the correct answer is always included;
6. The score needed to pass the test is only 60%; the equivalent of a D-.

What it means is simply this: Of the CCSD Seniors still needing to pass the math proficiency test, a test for which the answers are visible, and the schools had 5 years to train the material; only 22% could manage at least a barely passing grade. Is there a better, more complete, definition of incompetence?

This indicates a staggering level of district-wide incompetence that is frankly mind-boggling. Yet the reporter listens to a couple district and State officials explain it all away. 'Yes, (one can almost hear these officials reflecting) this 'concerns us' but with current fiscal crisis and budget cut to education, well of course student progress suffers.' (Ok, this is my own rendition of what they actually said, but how many times have we heard such drivel from educrats?)

What the reporter ignores is that these students have, or rather should have, learned and mastered the material Five (5) years ago when they finished the eighth grade. There was no economic crisis 5, 4, 3, or even 2 years ago. So why all of a sudden does some minor cut-back have an impact? The fact is that the schools failed to teach the material year in and year out. The students were reviewed on several occasions and found to be failing, and the schools did NOTHING about it.

And there is not one indication from the district that they are in any way responsible for this situation.

Not only are they not responsible, but we are to excuse the failings of inept schools because there are minor cuts in funding? Only the most empty-headed of reporters could print this story with a straight face. Or, perhaps she is being paid by the school district to publish these puff pieces and excuse their failings? (I have followed this reporter's work for several years and she does this type of thing constantly) What it amounts to is misleading the public into a false sense of security. If the public does not know the truth (and they don't) then they will not understand the depth of betrayal by the schools. And thus will not demand the reform truly needed, which current management cannot deliver. This reporter certainly never challenges the district on the facts.

What you should understand and never forget is the fact that test scores measure not only how well the students are learning the material, but how well the schools are delivering it. The Clark County school district is a disaster not unlike the Titanic, and reporters like this are the cruise directors telling the passengers, 'everything is all right, the Captain has it under control. The bump you felt wasn't an iceberg...'

Examine any number of education reporters' reports. You will find this same sort of 'excuse everything' mentality when dealing with the schools and school districts at the local level. This occurs in virtually every city and state, and if you are not wise to it, you too will be hoodwinked by the powder puff league of reporting.

God save us from idiots with a barrel of ink.