Michael Atherton posted:
"there are simple statistical procedures that could have determined with a high degree of certainty whether the improvement in the Minneapolis schools during Johnson's tenure was different than that of similar school districts. Why not use them? "
Can't answer that question, Mr. Atherton. What I can do is point out to members of the list that Mr. Atherton somehow failed to apply them himself, despite calling them "simple". And Mr. Atherton wishes to prove a point against the Superintendent, so he has an incentive. Leading to the question: Are they actually "simple"? Or if they were applied, would Mr. Atherton have to admit they refute his points. Another "mystery".
But while we are ON this subject, I'd like to find out if anyone, reading about our TERRIBLE graduation rates (which happens to apply to the WHOLE STATE, not just Mps), has found any mention of whether effort was made to discount the POSSIBILITY that our "leading" position comes from the move away from "social promotion" in the schools. I remember well a few years ago when colleges were complaining about having to do remedial education for poorly-educated students who were promoted and graduated without really learning. Minnesota being what it is, I imagine what happened was that we STOPPED just passing the students on. And, as a result, we get a poor graduation rate. Students who don't get socially-promoted either drop out or just don't graduate. MEANWHILE, in a lot of other states, I can easily imagine them just shrugging off the complaints and going right on with social promotion of students. After all, to change that would cost MONEY. And low taxes are SACRED in some states. Even if their high school grads are dummies, they might refuse to pay the increased taxes.
I tried to find the evidence that they adjusted the states ratings for this, but I failed to find it.
Porcelain Facilities
Amazing how much the feathers have flown on this (I'm sure Scott Benson won't be normal for weeks).
But I did make a suggestion. There probably isn't ONE of you out there who doesn't have a "coed" bathroom in his or her house, by virtue of the fact that you CAN'T choose which sex will use it. If someone lives there or visits, they have to use the one that's there. So given the existence of these things by the MILLIONS, how can it be a problem for all the public bathrooms to be unisex. Whatever you do at home, you simply do that in the public facilities. Like at home, you lock the door. Then no one has a problem. There you are a "practical" solution. But of course, it does NOT address the need to emote over trivial things. That's a "problem" I simply decline to consider.
________________________________________ Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood Longfellow Community Minneapolis, MN We think. You'll like it here. And we're more fun than a barrel of Norwegians
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TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.)
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