100% in 2014 was Never Required.

Little known or discussed is the fact that NCLB does not require 100% of students in all subgroups to be proficient by 2014.  With the original safe harbor provision, a subgroup can make a 10% improvement in proficiency rate and be considered making adequate yearly progress.  Quick math reveals that a subgroup in 2002 at 10% proficient can meet safe harbor with rates of 11%, 12.1%, 13.3%, 14.6%, 16.1%, 17.7%, 19.5%, 21.4%, 23.6%, 25.7%, 28.5%, and 31.4%.

Everyone knew already that students hidden in small subgroups did not have to be proficient, but that comes to a head in 2014 if the “all students” group is large enough.

Don’t the new growth model guidelines require being on pace for proficiency by 2014?  Seems the new growth alternative hits its ceiling in a few years.  Each year, the growth line gets steeper.

Seems a winning strategy is to tank it by underperforming more than 10% in 2013 and “grow” back to norm in 2014.  The lesson is that with public education accountability systems, there’s almost always a way to game the system.

The EduGuru speaks: See the movie “21” or read Bringing Down the House.  Gaming the system eventually catches up with you.  When educators search for easier ways out rather than improving schools to meet standards, what has been gained?