Once in a while... Becoming more frequent with the passage of time I find myself choking; not on my food or drink as one reasonably might presume, but on the news. Yes, from time to time I really do choke over a ridiculous bit of news like the following, from New York.
As the story goes, apparently the majority of students in New York public schools fail to earn passing grades, particularly in the basic 3-R's (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) much less any subject wherein those three basics are requisite thereto. A sad state of affairs for the students, and an indictment of failure for the school(s) in question to be sure; but, sad as the preceeding is, it gets worse.
In the very next breath the news commentator stated how New York schools plan to address the problem. Instead of looking for a teaching method that works for each, individual student, New York School's plan to raise the number of students passing by lowering passing test scores.
This is just about where I choked; because - Lowering passing score requirements will allow more students to pass. And, more students Passing will lower the School System's 'Student Failure Rate.' Therefore, since the Failure Rate is stated as a percentage, Pass/Fail, actual test scores not withstanding, New York School Districts suddenly qualifies for funding.
However, this is NOT an answer, but can only serve to aggravate New York School's already un-excusable failure. Another example of when the rationalization, 'If the Facts Fail to Support Your Position, Manipulate the Data' is accepted and operationally implemented, particularly by Public Officials.