Wouldn't the tests prove out the class size hypothesis?
If you look at the Oliver's piece, the decline started way before BushYou say you "know" this and "know" that but with testing metrics can be gathered upon which to base these conclusions
You need to look at facts and not just arrogantly state your gut ...
Tests do not prove anything if the students do not take them with the intention of doing their best. 90+% of the students who are taking tests in my school right now click away at the buttons without a care in the world. Kids are way over tested... ask any teacher.
I wasn't pointing at Bush however he began the policy of more tests and Obama did nothing to curtail it. Blame both, I don't care, but the amount of testing students do proves nothing since many don't care to take them or are opting out of them.
The numbers are not "facts" because not many of the test takers across the country take the tests with the intention of giving the administration/districts any credit to their learning... and the students shouldn't have to do so. The tests open up students to scrutiny where there should be none. I do know... the arrogance is not coming from me.
Part of the irony of these tests for kids is the entire reasoning behind them. One of the major ideas behind the tests are that teachers and schools are to be held accountable. If there is no potential reward/punishment for poor test scores, then why would the teachers or administrators care about doing their best to teach kids? This makes sense, but it fails to take into account the people that actually take the test. If there is no reward/punishment for test scores, why would the kids give a #### how well they do? Why would a kid try hard on a 12 hour test that is absolutely meaningless to them. It won't impact their grades in school, gpa, sports eligibility, moving on to the next grade, college, etc. The more tests you add, the less serious kids take them.
I know teachers that beg the kids to take them serious and say that if they do bad, it will make me look bad and I have to pander to them. You guys like me, right? Remember when we went on that fun field trip? That was a lot of work for me and I hope you can return the favor now by doing your best on this test. Please, please, please try.