And so it continues. Web Link

From the current article: "state standardized tests. . . English-language learners aren't the only ones struggling to pass the test -- a majority of the district's native English speakers can't pass it, either. Only 37 percent of all elementary students and 30 percent of middle school students in the district were able to pass the writing test this year, Rodgers said. . . Superintendent Ayinde Rudolph suggested that the district eliminate the requirement for a writing sample as an objective measure for judging whether a student is fluent in English. . ."

This is all characterized as "an unfair roadblock" to English learners. Does no one see the (much) bigger story here -- that the data reveal a (much) bigger problem, for the entire student population? Instead, as usual, the focus is on _eliminating_ a test that is the bearer of bad news. For the English learners today. For everyone else tomorrow.

Again: It's no wonder that the average Santa-Clara-County elementary-school student is two years behind peers in many European countries, where performance to standards is embraced as valuable, and where the culture is for families and educators to work together to achieve this performance (rather than attack the standards). It goes beyond elementary school. NPR: Web Link

What is the name of this exam? I agree with previous poster that it's a huge concern that English-speaking students can't pass a writing test!

Barbara wants every one to take algebra in 8th, because it correlates with UC admissions? I think you find that playing Magic the Gathering is also positively correlated with graduating from UC
in a STEM field. Does that mean we will start requiring all students to take two years of Magic classes?

The board seems to have trouble disassociating correlation from causation. Kids who are prepared for math tend to take it by 8th grade. That does mean that, by enrolling kids in 8th grade algebra, you cause them to be Mathematically prepared.

@Other greg

I think you meant: "That does NOT mean that, by enrolling kids in 8th grade algebra, you cause them to be Mathematically prepared."

Only 30-37% of students can pass a writing exam? Perhaps that explains this ironic typo, which I point out with all possible kindness: "On top of that, the report sites dismal communication..." I think you mean "cites."