From Today’s Mail

JD, how long have these US reading and math scores been declining ? How significant are these results? From the NY Times ‘Morning’ newsletter a few days ago.

And you’ve seen the chart – the orange and teal. But in case you forgot, here it is, just below. And think of how you might have answered. Does it match my reply? (see the bottom)

Here’s my response. Agree? Disagree?

The last quarter century of tests in the US have been designed to measure preparation for those tests. And the tests have shifted. 

The “education reform” movement was built around standardized testing, charter schools, new and weird “standards”

They used test scores to attack unions, to promote vouchers and charters, to punish Black and brown districts.

These charts are showing something. But I have no idea what it is. The language of these Ed Reformers is foreign to me. Even the phrase “lost ground” doesn’t make sense. No kid forgot how to read two years worth of words. 

The NY Times supports the ed reform movement, and the corporate takeover of public schools, and of course these tests (and so doesn’t question their use. And doesn’t question if any of this makes sense). Their reporting is agenda-driven. Why should education be different for them then foreign policy? 

The gap between how many Europeans can add fractions and how many US Americans can add fractions is huge. It was huge five years ago. Ten years ago. When I was a kid. If anyone was moving that needle, that would be interesting.