I enjoyed the responses to my posting of the data from Tidewater that less spending per student produces better test scores – and, presumably, better educated students.
It was fun to show the data because every election cycle the VEA, Democrats, Too Many Republicans, Liberals, MSM and simple-minded folk make the claim that “More money = Better schools, better education”. Like there is a cause and effect.
A corporation in Florida, FYI Corporation (www.fyicorporation.com) did analysis of Florida schools using a visual presentation called KEGS. The KEG is a box sub-divided into many boxes. The subordinate boxes are (one hopes) independent variables. You score your variables and then color the boxes. The result is striking descriptive analysis.
They looked at schools in Florida and their standardized tests. You can see which factors jump out at you in successful schools and losers. Then, you go down the level of schools and you can see how individual teachers with the same variables get markedly different results. You can see how classes with windows on the playground get different results.
Let’s be clear that this is descriptive, not causal, analysis. It suggests what might matter. Of course, it makes a difference what independent variables you pick and how you measure them – the buzz word ‘metrics’. Yet, it may capture some of the variables that really matter in improving test scores – as one key, standardized measure of educational improvement. That would help educators and policy-makers to try something other than throwing money.
I didn’t post the graphics because they may be proprietary, although I’m sure this corporation would love a call from any school district or the Commonwealth wanting to pay for analysis.
Also, this technique would very interesting in an analysis of roads – mile by mile or whatever distance matters most. Maybe it could be used for environmental analysis of water.
Der Teuful im Detail steckt.
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