Bad Education

Memphis City Schools released their No Child Left Behind results. What's in the Commercial Appeal is pretty much taken directly from the State of Tennessee website and press releases.

It struck me that something was missing and it didn't take long to figure it out: specific numbers and last year's data. We don't get total numbers of schools, nor the total numbers in categories. Nor do we get last year's numbers by which to compare progress or decline this year. Almost always, when you see this kind of evasion it's to cover bad news. My question: how bad?

Look at some of the columns and what you'll see is lots of schools marked "improving" but none marked "declining." It's the lack of historicity and comparison that makes me suspicious. I did some Googling to find last years' numbers, even tried to check the City's and State's sites, but no luck. Anyone have a source of last year's numbers?

I remember last year and the year before, when discussion of the numbers and the changes dominated the news. This year was different, with coverage much more vague and prominent mentions of the "Celebration" list, since it was at the top. Clever move, educators and administrators.

Kay Brooks, Tennessee education blogger, also noticed some troubling Memphis numbers. I emailed her and if she can answer some of the above, I'll pass it on.