[ProgressiveEd] Test Scores Drop and More Students Pass--a National Trend

[carolyn.prager@att.net]

LOWERING THE THRESHOLD:  The New York Times finally took note this morning of a 
national trend that educational policy analyst have predicted and documented 
for some time.  States are lowering the cutscore for mandatory state exams so 
that more students "pass."  While the trend started even before No Child Left 
Behind, states are lowering the pass cut score at an alarming rate to comply 
with NCLB mandates that students pass state tests to progress to the next 
grade.  
NEW YORK CITY READING SCORES AND THE UNIVERSAL CURRICULUM:  On another note, 
the papers yesterday reported that NYC 4th graders improved their reading 
scores on the mandatory State exam.  However, the Daily News was the only paper 
to strongly suggest that improved test scores might be the result of programs 
and practices instituted before Mayoral control and a universal curriculum.  
The Daily News also pointed out that imposing a universal reading curriculum 
might hamper the progress being made by schools already showing improvement 
with their existing curriculum. 
--
Carolyn Prager
APRPE
Advocates for Public
Representation in Public Education
(212)865-1780