[mgc1122]

Is this the educational equivalent of "cooking the books"?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Only 47 percent of fourth-graders passed the single-essay test, down from 69 percent the previous year; 63 percent of seventh-graders received passing scores, a decline of 10 percentage points.

Actually, declines that significant are way outside the norm and would lead me to believe that the tests were screwy. If the decline had been on the order of a few percent, I would be more inclined to balme the teachers.

[Sub-Driver]

We need the Senate to investigate! Tom, Tom, hey Tom?

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

It may be.  OTOH, I have seen some test questions which make you wonder where the writers of these exams went to school.

One of my favorites is: "which weighs more - a pound of gold or a pound of lead?"  A trick question like that should never be on a test for a third grader.