Narrowing The Grade-School Standards Gap

No Child Left Behind Slaps Schools That Score Low, But Standards Vary From State To State

(CBS)  Good grades always make teachers happy.

And in Georgia, there were plenty of smiles after statewide testing of students, CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.

Eighty-seven percent of the state's fourth-graders were rated proficient in reading in 2005. But when Georgia's performance is measured nationally, the numbers tell a different story: Only 26 percent of the state's fourth-graders were rated proficient on a national reading test given to a sample of students in each state — a gap of 61 points.

Was the superintendent alarmed?

"Absolutely," said Douglas Remillard, superintendent of the Douglas County School System outside Atlanta. "I think all of us in education were alarmed by the gap. Our teachers were doing a pretty good job, and our test scores were pretty good, but then we didn't stack up nationally against other states."

Georgia is not alone, Wallace reports. Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma are among the states in which students scored high on their state tests but significantly lower on the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, according to the non-partisan Hoover Institution.

The problem, say experts, is one word: proficiency.

Each state can come up with its own definition. There is no national standard. States devise their own tests and their own standards. That has some states crying foul, accusing other states of lowering the bar to make their schools look more successful.

Just across the border from Georgia is South Carolina.

The two states score the same on that national test, but have very different results on their state tests. Just 36 percent of South Carolina fourth-graders were rated proficient in reading — far below Georgia's 87 percent.

"We are operating on a very uneven playing field right now," said Jim Ray, superintendent of the Spartanburg School District.

Ray said his state's standards are tougher than Georgia's. That could end up hurting South Carolina.

Schools face sanctions if they fail to meet proficiency levels required under No Child Left Behind.

"We would like not to be put in a position of having to lower standards to compete," Ray said. "They should be put in a position of raising, or balancing, standards so there is an even, fair evaluation of all 50 states."

Says Georgia's Superintendent for Education, Kathy Cox: "I just don't think they're looking at what Georgia has done over the course of No Child Left Behind. We're actually raising expectations for our kids, not running away."

Congress is considering making changes to the law. Some states aren't waiting. Cox says she's rolling out a new curriculum — and toughening requirements for proficiency.

"We don't want this gap," Cox said. "We think we are doing a good job of educating kids in Georgia, and we're not satisfied at all."

Experts say narrowing the gap will mean more students are making the grade — and that will be a real reason to smile.

[redwilma]

I'd like to see a national ranking for each state.

[mikealford3]

I meant to say some parents do NOT emphasize education.

"No Child Left Behind Slaps Schools That Score Low,"

Anyway, the whole idea of "Slapping/punishing" schools that score low is foolish. How are the low scoring schools suppose to improve if there is no incentive for quality teachers to go there? If a fantastic teacher applies for a job in a school system and is given an option. He/she can choose a low scoring school where salaries and benefits are low because of student test scores are low or a a high scoring school where salaries are higher based on student test scores. Naturally the teacher is going to choose the high salary and higher scoring school. Based on that how are the low scoring schools ever going to get better?

[mikealford3]

lastdance, I must disagree. Teachers do the best they can with what the system allows them do. The problem in the many school systems I visit is the students and their PARENTS. In many cases the children grow up in a home with a single parent who did not graduate from high school. The parents do emphasize education and therefore the kids don't understand the importance. I volunteer as a coach at our local middle school. I have heard more than one parent tell their child it is more important to practice their jump shot or football plays rather than doing their math homework. These parents focus their children on the athletes they see on t.v. and just think their child is the next superstar.

A teacher will teach any child willing to learn, but they cannot force a child to learn.

Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot force it to drink.

[lastdance2]

Narrowing The Grade-School Standards Gap

People - People - People

Wake up -

These children are - "Not" - Dumb and stupid ! ! !

The teachers or instructors are - "Dumb and Stupid"

How many teachers or instructors can pass the :
"National Stanard' ? ? -
What would their own - score be ? ? ?

Lowering score standards, will not make :
Better teachers or instructors.

A student is nothing more :
Than the image - of the : "Teacher or Instructor."

Lastdance

[mizpah63]

Superintendent Jim Ray's statement about lowering standards in order to compete is brilliantly ironic; however, it's sadly accurate.

[billpl-2009]

As Carlos Mencia put it "...grades are too low?, then lower the standard...". Georgia must have been watching his show.

[undefined49]

This story lacks substance. I came to the website to see what I missed but low and behold it's verbatium and it still has nothing.
What is different in their testing?
Has the National test been scrutinized?
I saw a report about a program that would guarantee results but they wouldn't be considered for the National program. Instead big business was choosen.

Do a story right or don't do it at all.

Love Russ instead of Katie. It's the only time I'll watch cbs news.