When statistics lie: politics and the US education system
For 2014-15, the graduation rate from US high schools hit a record 83%. As far as statistics go, that’s one that anyone would love, but there’s more going on than you’d think — and, according to Professor Reuven Brenner, politicians and bureaucracies can make a statistic say nearly anything.
The 83% rate is suspect just because so many US schools and districts are gaming the system by discharging at-risk students or listing dropouts as having moved away. There are definitely lots of possible solutions, and it’s imperative that something gives; right now, developing countries that are building their own education systems, may see the US example cautionary rather than inspirational.
Read full article: , February 8, 2017Â
Feedback
For more information or if you would like to report an error, please web.desautels [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Website%20News%20Comments) (contact us).
