Chron sees glass one third empty
Chronicle headline this morning:
Two-thirds of HISD fifth-graders pass tougher math TAKS test
Oh, sorry. That wasn't it at all:
Third of 5th-graders here fail math exam
(online headline has been changed: Third of 5th-graders fail harder-to-pass math test)
Well, the Chronicle is nothing if not predictable. (Too bad we can't get some of this "skeptical" press for Metro)
Jason Spencer has written a very odd story, and not just because of the headline:
A third of Houston's fifth-graders failed the state's math exam, the school district announced Monday, meaning 4,500 students face the threat of summer school, and perhaps another year in elementary school, if they don't manage to pass by August.
This is the first year that fifth-graders are required to pass the math and reading portions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam in order to move on to the sixth-grade.
Those who haven't passed both subjects after the third try in June can still be promoted if their parent, teacher and principal unanimously agree that promotion is in the child's best interest.
Even fewer Houston Independent School District fifth-graders — 62 percent — passed the reading exam on the first try, according to results released last month
Wait. Does one-third of Houston's fifth graders equal 4,500? That seems like a very low number. Is it Houston's fifth graders, or HISD's fifth graders? Because -- and this may come as a surprise to Spencer -- there is a difference.
Spring Branch ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, "the largest recognized school district in Texas," Aldine ISD, North Forest ISD, Alief ISD, Galena Park ISD, Sheldon ISD and Spring ISD all have schools in Houston.
That appears to be some sloppy reporting.
And if the two-thirds of HISD students who did pass the test see the paper this morning, what do you suppose they are thinking? Since we know that 80% of HISD's students are classified as low-income, a two-thirds passing rate on a math test with a tougher standard is not the end of the world. Let's celebrate the students who did pass! Plus, there will now be special tutoring and two more chances to take the test for those who didn't pass.
What is really incredible about Spencer's story is that HISD's news about the 18 new executive principals announced to facilitate improved instruction and learning in HISD, is added to the end of the story almost as an afterthought. Why? It should be bigger news than that, since it is the next step in Dr. Saavedra's reorganization plan -- a reorganization plan that aims to improve the test scores Spencer is reporting negatively.
Would you like to know who those new executive principals are? You can visit KTRK-13's story I linked to yesterday, or you can read HISD's press release, because the Chronicle won't tell you.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/26/05 11:05 AM | Print |
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