I just looked up some stats for the place I live, and in 2010, around 85% of graduating seniors were at or above average in reading/math. Fast forward to 2019/20, and that number dropped to just 27%, but somehow the graduation rates increased from 61% to 91%. I’m really worried about sending my child to school here. What could be causing kids to perform lower academically, even though graduation rates are rising? Is politics playing a role in this? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Look into ‘re-norming’ of tests. It’s tough to get an accurate view of academic performance over a long period. For example, SAT scores have been declining since the 1940s, but they changed the scoring system in the 1990s. So, with a bit of math, you can adjust the scores and get a clearer comparison. Literacy standards have also shifted. Reading street signs used to count as literate, but that’s not the case now. Effort is harder to measure, too. Back then, people were learning different skills compared to today. The importance of those skills was communicated differently, too. If kids don’t see adults reading, why would they bother?
Here’s what I’m thinking:
- Reading and math scores are going down, yes, but people are quick to point fingers at teachers without checking their own involvement first. A lot of parents aren’t as involved in their children’s education as they used to be. If you’re homeschooling, that may not be an issue for you, though.
- There’s been a shift in how reading is taught, away from phonics, which caused problems. There’s a move to bring phonics back, but districts with fewer resources struggle to adapt, which might explain the dip in your area.
Also, is your area largely non-English speaking? In my district, a lot of kids who don’t speak English at home have a tough time with reading and math. ESL programs could help, but in politically divided areas, there’s often pushback on such resources.
@lindah
Completely agree about parental responsibility. But we should also talk about how textbooks have changed. My neighbor, an engineer, says his kid’s math book is confusing even for him. When I was teaching high school English, I noticed the curriculum had shifted to include analysis that didn’t exist when I was learning. It’s not always helpful for students either.
@Tony1
I get it, the math is confusing. But that ‘new’ math actually leads to better results. It’s about understanding how math works instead of just memorizing. After I took a closer look, it made sense to me and works for the kids.
@Mark
I agree! I come from an engineering background, and while I also disliked the new math at first, I realized it aligns with techniques I use daily but had to learn on my own. The new methods are about number sense and problem-solving, not just memorization. It feels strange because most of us were taught differently, but it really helps kids think critically.
I think you’re missing the point of common core. It’s not just about memorizing but understanding the ‘why’ behind math. It’s hard to adjust, but it’s better for students in the long run. I’ve seen it improve outcomes for many.
@Masitsa
If it’s so great, why do we see districts like Chicago and Baltimore failing in math while pushing kids through who can’t even read? Here’s some data from Baltimore, where 93% of students from third to eighth grade aren’t performing at grade level in math. In some schools, not a single student is proficient. Checkmate.
Classical math taught theory too, and outcomes were better. Schools need different tracks to challenge the advanced students, rather than catering to the lowest common denominator.
@Samuel
The problems in Chicago and Baltimore go beyond just math curriculum. Those schools face broader issues that need addressing. But blaming common core alone is missing the bigger picture.
@Mark
This ‘new math’ is a joke. My kid is in the 99th percentile, and we hired a tutor to fill in the gaps because the school’s ‘advanced’ curriculum isn’t cutting it. Parents need to get more involved and stop trusting these systems blindly.
@Tony1
Yes, I mentioned in my post that a lot of districts can’t afford to adopt new curricula, so they’re stuck with outdated material. And for many, the new math approach is even more confusing because they thrived with the old methods.
@lindah
Agreed 100%. The problem is lack of parental involvement, lowered standards, and other factors. Parents, take back control of your kids’ education!
Samuel said:
@lindah
Agreed 100%. The problem is lack of parental involvement, lowered standards, and other factors. Parents, take back control of your kids’ education!
At the end of the day, it’s all about money.
Can you share a link to those stats? I’m betting it’s a lie pushed by some group with a political agenda.
Math and reading standards are actually higher in most states, especially those that adopted common core. Kids are learning algebra in kindergarten now! Those viral videos making fun of common core are mostly frustrated parents who don’t understand it themselves.
@Olivia
Actually, 85% of students in a district can be above average, especially when comparing to state or national averages.
Henry said:
@Olivia
Actually, 85% of students in a district can be above average, especially when comparing to state or national averages.
Right, and at work, 100% of the people I deal with seem to be at the low end of the intelligence curve!
Henry said:
@Olivia
Actually, 85% of students in a district can be above average, especially when comparing to state or national averages.
And when entire districts are failing, it’s obvious someone is profiting off the kids’ struggles.
@Olivia
I live in a very right-leaning area. I’m not politically involved, but these stats came straight from the school district’s website under ‘student achievement.’ It’s hard to believe they’d make themselves look worse, right? That’s why these numbers shocked me.