[Alberta's Child]

LOL. I wasn't trying to make the case that Pennsylvania is a bastion of excellence in education -- I simply wanted to point out that average SAT scores are not necessarily an accurate indicator of acadamic performance.

I've long suspected that in some jurisdictions there are two reasons for the incredible increase in the number of "special education" students -- 1) the special ed. teachers get paid more, and 2) these students aren't necessarily included in the school's performance on standardized tests.

Based on some of the ways "performance" is computed, I could take almost any school district in Pennsylvania and turn it into a top-rate district tomorrow -- I'd simply take anyone with an IQ under 120 and put them in special ed.

[Kay Ludlow]

Based on some of the ways "performance" is computed, I could take almost any school district in Pennsylvania and turn it into a top-rate district tomorrow -- I'd simply take anyone with an IQ under 120 and put them in special ed.

Tell the truth now, you've been working on raising the ratings of Philadelphia schools, haven't you? How else would you know all their tactics? LOL!

[CFC__VRWC]

I've long suspected that in some jurisdictions there are two reasons for the incredible increase in the number of "special education" students -- 1) the special ed. teachers get paid more, and 2) these students aren't necessarily included in the school's performance on standardized tests.

You missed the main reason - the federal government shells out LOTS more money for "special ed" students. All the more incentive for the schools and the unions to classify as many kids as possible as needing special ed.