The Challenge for Schools

States have succeeded in evading some of the NCLB accountability for school improvement by dumbing down the tests. Which doesn't help these kids learn to the level they are capable of, a pattern that is reflected in Illinois high school scores:

It's much the same story nationwide, indicating that turning around underperforming high schools is a far tougher challenge than it is at the elementary level.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, whose foundation has poured $1.5 billion into high school reform since 2000, spoke of that disconnect during testimony last week before a U.S. Senate Education Committee.

"International tests have found our 4th graders among the top students in the world in science and above-average in math," Gates said during the hearing Wednesday. "By 8th grade, they have moved closer to the middle of the pack. By 12th grade, U.S. students score near the bottom of all industrialized nations."

We need more competition to give parents and their kids choices. Competition will concentrate the minds of public schools on challenging and retaining students. At the very least, we need more, not fewer charter schools in Illinois and especially Chicago, to meet the need evidenced by a big waiting list of prospective students.