Military base schools outperforming public schools on tests—despite deemphasizing tests

[Generic Other]

In our allegedly failing school system, there's a place where not only do kids score above the national average but where the achievement gap between black and white students is much lower and shrinking faster than the nation as a whole. Charter schools? Voucher programs? Online schools?

Actually, as the New York Times' Michael Winerip lays out, it's schools on military bases that outperform public schools on the reading and math sections of the National Assessment of Educational Progress at both the fourth and eighth grade levels. And the achievement gap in reading for fourth graders is just 11 points on military bases, compared with 26 points in public schools.

That's huge. And the answer isn't George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind or Barack Obama's Race to the Top—those education laws don't apply on military bases. It's not standardized tests, which "are used as originally intended, to identify a child’s academic weaknesses and assess the effectiveness of the curriculum."

http://labor.dailykos.com/

I guess I am not that surprised. I received a very good education in DOD schools.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. DOD schools have always had high performing kids

Family support, health care, smaller classes - just a few reasons.

[msongs]

2. I went to AF base schools and I can tell you some reason why this was true..

they didn't put up with all the crappy kiddie behavior that rules public schools, and teachers demanded respect. Plus if you were a goof off your old man went into the base commander's office to explain why. of course that may have changed since the old days. doubt it much tho

[sammytko]

5. Or your mom since she could be the service member

Yes, they still do that.

Another reason I love to shop at the military commissary. It's like a whole other world. Peaceful, quiet, helpful and great prices.

Of course some might see it a sterile environment full of robots, but it works for me.

[tsuki]

3. Stable community, full employment, shared goals. And

the adults were in charge.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. And no focus on testing