Law Conference - Are Things in FL As Sunny As We've Heard?

Having information presented is one of learning, but listening to speakers defend their beliefs of topic helps paint a clearer picture of the realities.

Jaime Molera, former Superintendent of AZ Public Instruction and currently sits on the AZ School Board, moderated this session. Sitting on the panel were Dr. Mathis of the National Education Policy Center, Dr. Ladner of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, Dr. Duvall, President of Az School Administrators, Dr. Essigs Executive Director of the AZ School Boards Association.

We heard many arguments from both sides and basically Fun with Numbers seemed to be the resounding cause for successes Florida has experiences.  According to The Nation's Report Card – Ten pts on a NAPE test equals a grade level worth of progress.  NAPE has been mandatory as part of NCLB from 2003 – 2009.  Only low income students are tested.  FL is top no matter the subject or grade level test.  FL has a 3rd grade retention law which may skew the 4th grade test results.  The total number of retentions was mandated 2002-2003.  Retentions decreased after the law passed.  As detentions went down, the 4th grade scores increased.

According to AZ LEARNS, 25% of 4th graders scoring proficient or better in Reaching on 2009 NAEP.  In AZ School Grades will replace labels with double weights for students’ growth, but only for students in the bottom quartile.

Dr. William Mathis, argued the FL Formula or How Global Warming Causes Correlation is NOT causation.  FL formula provides no evidence that his six elements caused the reported score increase.

Other possible explanations - Harry Potter, Home computer expansion, decrease in private schools, increased high school drop-outs, cheating allegations in 14 counties, and test score aberrations

Other Things that happened in FL from 1992-2011 include: Early Education imitative (1999), Class size reduction (2002), and Statewide Reading Program (2001).  Things that DIDN"T happen include: Similar NAEP Gains in 8th grade are not reported, Similar Gains in Math at any grade level are not reported, and ACRT reports only 17% of FL students are 'college ready'.  Why are none of these given credit for the change in scores?