What Do Mixed Test Results Say To You About Schools?
Before you decide that test results are bad news in Spokane public schools, take a look at what’s happening with the community’s college bound youngsters.
In recent years, Spokane’s high school students have outpaced the state and the nation in their SAT scores. Now comes news that their Advanced Placement scores (which can translate into college credit) exceed state, regional and worldwide averages.
That’s much cheerier news than the low scores fourth-graders in Spokane and the rest of the state earned on a new, more rigorous statewide test given for the first time last year on a voluntary basis.
Education leaders say they were braced for those poor results because the new test is meant to measure a more challenging level of learning than students have been prepared for in the past. The task now is to boost instruction to that higher level.
Those impressive SAT and AP scores seem to imply that students and the district are up to the assignment.
Essay question: Do the mixed results inspire confidence or anxiety? Explain your answer.
More badges for the buck
The city of Spokane turned down federal money it could have used to hire police officers. Spokane County may accept federal funds for law enforcement but rejected a private offer of land that could have been turned into a golf course.
In both cases, local officials weighed the long-term financial burden they might have been assuming and decided it wasn’t worth it.
But one reader says there’s a way to beef up the police force and pay for it with program savings.
“To support the police,” says Peter C. Dolina of Veradale, “means not only to increase the count of policemen but also to make sure the criminals are handled properly.”
Dolina suggests the following cost-cutting steps:
“Streamline the execution process so that it’s not that expensive and long.”
“Cut medical benefits for death row inmates and criminals with life sentences.”
“Make all the inmates work and earn their living.”
“Audit and downsize the public defender’s office.”
Dolina says the savings could pay for new hires. Any reaction to these proposals?
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