Jim Mork wrote: > 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".
The statistical techniques maybe simple, but the data collection may not. However, I believe that the resources of a major metropolitan newspaper exceed those of a single individual given that the Tribune has its own statistician and easy access to the data (they already published it). I can also make the same argument as you that if the Tribune wants to show that the Superintendent has had an impact, it is their responsibility, as a major media outlet, to provide valid and convincing evidence. I don't think that it's my responsibility as an individual to support every argument I make by personally running statistical analyses. Besides, there doesn't seem to be much point, because even when I do list members don't brother to address them. I'm still waiting for the explanation of why their are predominately White high schools and Black high schools. > 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. Actually, the article didn't report on the size of the gap by district. It maybe the case that Minneapolis does indeed have the largest gap. It would have been interesting to have seen an ordinal ranking of districts, too bad the Tribune didn't report it (must be a lack of space). Also, there is no possibility that Minneapolis' gap is caused by social promotion because the District still socially promotes students; one of the most inane educational policies ever created. Michael Atherton Prospect Park 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.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
