THURSDAY ON SPECTRUM TODAY WPFW 89.3 FM 6:00-7:00 PM (streaming at wpfw.org)
Rhee Cooks the Books
Chris Bergfalk is an award winning District of Columbia Public Schools teacher who has carefully examined the test data for DCPS. His analysis shows that the actual gains made by DCPS students are far less than what is claimed by Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee who is playing with the numbers by testing fewer African American students. DC's achievement gap - already the hightest in the nation - has widened dramatically under the Fenty/Rhee team, according to Chris Bergfalk's anaylsis.
Additionally, his anaylsis shows signficiant changes in the demographics of DCPS: there have been increases in DCPS enrollment among all races, except for African American students who are leaving in great numbers.
25 comments:
Here's links to some of his presentations and data: http://web.me.com/cbergfalk/NAEP/Home.html
This maybe a preview (or postview by the time this is approved) of what the show will talk about:
http://gfbrandenburg.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/the-6-point-rise-in-4th-grade-naep-reading-scores-is-a-statistical-mirage/
Candi,
I don't mean to change the subject, but can you post the interview Fenty had with FOX news this morning? It was classic!!!! He wasn't able to answer a SINGLE question!!!!!!!!
Moderated ressponse to Anonymous ( below):
I didn't write this intro but posted it as is from a staffer from WPFW radio. I guess you could complain to them if you like.
Signed,
Candi Peterson, blogger in residence
"Your intro, Candi, implies strongly that she is cooking the books by deliberately testing fewer AAs. But the point later seems to be, there ARE FEWER AAs in the system--their enrollment is declining. No need to take a needless swipe at Rhee or lose your credibility. You may want to consider revising your intro wording. Keep up the good work."
Anonymous @ 10:55
Send me the Fenty link that you reference.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2010/06/fenty_seems_ill-prepared_in_tv.html
Here's the link to the interview, as posted on the WaPO website. Warning: this interview may cause you to fall over in laughter. I don't think I've EVER seen a politician so ill-prepared and unwilling to answer questions.
Rhee is taking credit for gains being made, incremental gains at best, but what Bergfalk is pointing out is that those gains are only there because of the African Americans who left the system were in the bottom third of the test scores. When your bottom third leaves then of course you scores will seem to improve.
Here's the Fenty video as well:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/fenty-on-fox-061010
I noticed that when I was in NW just off Wisconsin Ave about a mile north of the Nat Cathedral , that there were a number of Fenty signs, but no one else.
I just watched the Fox questioning of the mayor. It sooo embarrassing (it is sooo funny). Lol!
Fenty needs to stop believing his own press. Not everyone is in love with you. On channel 8 yesterday, he was able to handle the questions which to more were dumbed down.
Idiot! Who really runs this city? It is evident from this interview it is definitely not Fenty!
The many Gray signs were a block away -- in front of the church where the mayoral forum was held.
Would've been better to have them on wisc. ave, I agree
Love the new blog page. You go girl!
Candi,
WashPost ed columnist Jay Mathews would like to hear from Group 1 teachers regarding their views on IMPACT. Please encourage your Group 1 readers to contact him. mathewsj@washpost.co.
I dont know exactly what Group 1 teachers and perhaps you can explain. I don't expect any accurate reporting from Mathews.
Group 1 teachers teach math and or reading in grades 4-8 and they are the only group of teachers whose IMPACT scores are weighted 50% using the individual value added score which compares growth from the previous year's DC-CAS scores to the current year's DC-CAS scores.
Why bother talking to Matthews unless you think Rhee is correct and IMPACT the greatest evaluation system in the world (deliberate use of third grade idiom)? Matthews skews his reporting to fit his beliefs. Don't trust him you will be disappointed.
At the forum last night, the Mayor gave a garbled interpretation of the test scores that sounded far more hyped than before. Only a minor candidate called him on it.
On the subject of Rhee, Vince Gray said with sincerity he really liked a lot of the things she has done, but not necessarily how she has done them. He said that on the first day of his administration, he would get together with her to discuss goals and whether their styles are compatible enough to make a successful effort to continue school reform.
As many have said, he is hardly going to run on an anti-Rhee platform, no matter how goaded he is, because he truly respects her accomplishments
I just watched the video of Fenty on Fox5 from yesterday morning. I thought I'd die laughing when Fenty told Tony "I don't know what you mean by quid pro quo," and Tony started to explain and then said, "Uhh, Never mind." Hilarious to the 10th degree!
The craziest part of the FOX video was when Fenty said, "It certainly could have been worse" in response to a TRIPLE HOMICIDE. Tell that to the three families of the victims.
Mayor Fenty is a Fool!
Now we all know that the Washington Post-Kaplan, runs the mayor's office, and DC.
Hi, anon at 2:23 -- I was at the candidates' forum too and that's not quite how it happened.
Nice try, though, to come here to try to sow seeds of doubt about Gray.
Won't work.
I posted the Fenty video from FOX five news. Go to the video section under the header on this blog. Click on videos and you will see it there.
I posted the Fenty video from FOX five news. Go to the video section under the header on this blog. Click on videos and you will see it there.
To the Efavorite blog comment:
I was at th forum too. I think the earlier comment about what Chairmen Gray said about Mrs. Rhee was accurate.
I will admit it surprised some in the audience but I have always thought that in council sessions he has been generally approving of her general direction. He has had some questions also but that is normal is it not?
He would be foolish to throw away all she has done and start from square one. He knows school reform and the strong need for it is a winning issue.
So he is not about to dis MrsRhee. This makes sense from a Dist. of Col. politics point of view too. She has some fans in most wards. One of her biggest problems is Mr. Fenty who is not very "up" on school matters.
But Vincent Gray is the same way or so it seems ot me. I know he was very upset to be questioned about his Human Services record and maybe that made him forget the educational items.
Anonymous 1:52-I agree with Efavorite that you and others are trying to sow seeds of doubt about Vincent Gray. This blog is not at all about the mayoral race. I hope Candi deletes the next comment you post.
Is there a link to this show? I missed it last Thursday.
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