TEACHERS: DON'T WORRY ABOUT COMPARISONS
As long time readers are aware, the CM PRESS is a big believer in using statistics and figures to cut through the BS about conditions in Costa Mesa.
That's why we came up with the ring of cities concept, in which we constantly compare Costa Mesa with the five cities that surround us and which actually touch some part of our land.
Without the hard numbers and the comparisons, the status quo Pollyannas in the local establishment would carry the day--as they have for years--with their goo goo talk that tells us that all is wonderful in Costa Mesa and that we shouldn't worry our pretty little heads about anything.
The numbers often say something else. They tell the truth.
Improvers were not surprised when we had drive by shootings last year, because we had been seeing the numbers and the comparisons and we knew that it was just a matter of time for drive bys.
Many others, however, were completely shocked. They had been sticking their heads in the sand for so long that they wondered why "suddenly" we had drive by shootings.
They weren't sudden. The conditions had been building for years.
At any rate, the above is background to what follows.
The CM PRESS also believe in using similar numbers and comparisons for determining the quality of education that our kids are getting.
However, there are some individuals, including many in the school establishment, who argue that we shouldn't use comparisons based on objective test data to see if our kids are in good schools or not. Some of these individuals even show contempt and scorn for the tests and the results.
We imagine the inner thoughts of one teacher or administrator: "Stupid government, making us give tests to our students that are then compared with test results of other students in other schools so the stupid government can tell if what we're doing is working or not #$@^%$#@!. Why can't the government just accept our loosey goosey talk about our students being happy?"
According to such test deniers, it is enough that the students smile a lot, and that the teachers are having tea and cookie meetings with parents.
Of course, those who argue this way are usually aware that many schools in Costa Mesa have low student scores and that some schools are in danger of being taken over by the feds. Their happy talk is really just an attempt to minimize the importance of the tests that tell the real tale.
At any rate, the CM PRESS got a chuckle when we read an article in the Daily Pilot about how the teachers and administrators rely on salary comparisons from other school districts to determine how their salaries stack up against others. LINK
So, comparisons are meaningful when the teachers and administrators think they can use them to get more money, but when it comes to comparing test results of students in different schools, many of these same teachers say we shouldn't give too much credence to the test results. Right. Sure.
Well, wouldn't it be funny if parents used the same language about salary comparisons for teachers and administrators as some teachers and administrators are using about test comparisons for students?
Maybe it would go something like this: "Teachers and administrators, you shouldn't rely on comparisons. Remember, one size doesn't fit all. Don't worry about others. Isn't it enough that you're happy teaching kids? Say, why don't we sit down and have some tea and cookies and discuss this? Don't believe those comparisons that show you may be making less money than others. It's just a communications problem. Perception is reality. If you believe you make as much money as others then that will be reality. See how easy that is? Turn that frown upside down and it's a smile. Let's have a group hug. Would you like some more tea and cookies?"
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Those are our opinions. Thanks for reading them.
