Re your post #178 - Claire, you are an educator with a PhD. So, you tell me your theory on this! :)
Beats me. A radio commentator says that Bush has gimmied scores to show more improvement than there is. I am sure that it is politically difficult to close schools in black neighborhoods with black, union teachers ready and able to bring in Jesse or Al Sharpton.
I don't see gains commensurate with expense in third grade classes limited to 15 students. Gains are about 10% versus 100% increase in cost.
In Texas, George Bush retrained teachers, has that been tried here, yet?