How to Make an F an A

I discovered in 3rd grade how to convert an F into A with a little bit of creative penmanship. I can’t tell you how impressed my mom was with my academic progress when she saw my next report card. It now looks like the Idaho Department of Education (IDOE) is using the same technique to inflate student academic growth reports. According to the February 27, 2006 issue of the Wall Street Journal, the IDOE reported that 82% of eighth graders were deemed “proficient” in reading. At the same time, the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reported only 32%. How is this possible?

Idaho responded to the accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act by creating the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). States were allowed to come up with their own tests and grading system. The temptation to dumb down tests and inflate grades is irresistible. When politicians make up and grade a test, you can expect everybody to get an A.

States are required to take part in NAEP reading and math tests in grades four and eight. An independent, bipartisan board sets NAEP’s standards and policies. The NAEP is a federally funded testing program that began in 1969 and functions as an indispensable external and honest auditor.

According to the Chester Finn and Diane Ravitch, the authors of the WSJ article, NAEP has three standards “basic,” “proficient,” and “advanced.” “Basic” denoted “partial mastery of knowledge and skills.” “Advanced” signified “superior performance beyond grade-level mastery.” “Proficient,” though, was the key. It is “the central level,” representing “solid academic performance for each grade tested” and “a consensus that students reaching this level have demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter and are well prepared for the next level of schooling.”

How difficult is “proficient” for fourth grade math? “Fourth graders performing at the proficient level should be able to use whole numbers to estimate, compute, and determine whether results are reasonable. They should have a conceptual understanding of fractions and decimals; be able to solve real-world problems in all NAEP content areas; and use four-function calculators, rulers and geometric shapes appropriately.” Is this too much to expect? Hardly. America's great education problem is that for years we settled for “basic skills” rather than true proficiency. We can be certain that China and India don’t consider the ISAT to be the standard for their students.

If we want to assure our students and our country a secure future in the highly competitive global economy, we don’t need sugarcoated statistics, we need the truth, even if it is painful.

Fortunately for me, my mom and my 3rd grade teacher didn’t worry too much about my self-esteem. After a visit with the “board” of education, I discontinued enhancing my report card and went to work memorizing my multiplication tables. Real self-esteem is the result of achievement, not pretension. Thanks Mom and Mrs. Coffman for truth and accountability.