Statistics and other useful lies

With all this discussion about the Common Core Standards one has to wonder if Louisiana really does need them.  Particularly since John White, State Superintendent of Education, just bragged about how the number of seniors earning a composite score of 18 on the ACT, a test of college readiness, is steadily increasing.  He is so elated about this that he states, “This news goes to prove that when we open the doors to opportunity, raise expectations and allow our kids to take a test,……our kids rise to the occasion.” This test is used by many colleges throughout the nation as part of their application for college admission. 

What White fails to tell the public is that in Louisiana there are only 5 four year state colleges or universities that will accept students with a composite score as low as18.  The reason for this is that an ACT score of 18 correlates to the 35^th percentile nationally.  Meaning that only 35% of all the high school seniors taking the ACT test nationally scored lower than 18, and, conversely, 65% scored higher. 

Basically, colleges gauge the future success of a student graduating with a degree based upon the ACT score.  A college readiness score of 18 translates to a rather low chance of being successful in college.  LSU requires an ACT composite score of 22 and SLU requires a 21.  Nationally, these ACT required scores mean that 62 percent of the seniors are scoring lower on the test than the LSU applicants and 55 percent are scoring lower than the SLU applicants.  Certainly, these ACT requirements are a substantially higher predictor of college success. 

But by including a composite scores of 18 in their press release, Louisiana can inflate the number of students that are “scoring successfully on the test.” You be the judge whether this is successful or not. 

It is precisely this continual media blitz of reinforcement of mediocrity in Louisiana education that necessitates the adoption of the Common Core Standards, standards guided by what constitutes a good education based upon a consortium of educators, business leaders, governors and standards experts representing all the states.  

For generations Louisiana has failed many of its children in providing a competitive education. Children deserve the best education possible no matter where they happen to reside. The Common Core Standards just recently vetoed unilaterally by Governor Bobby Jindal sought to provide that kind of education.