Evaluating Schools

We ditched our high-quality state standards (at least in math, I cannot comment on English standards) and content-specific tests for vague (and modified) Common Core standards and a nationwide test (Smarter Balanced) that's not entirely aligned to our standards.  If that isn't bad enough, we have to use such testing to evaluate schools:

In an unexpected move, the State Board of Education postponed approving the method for determining a key element of its new school accountability system on Wednesday, potentially delaying by weeks or longer the release of the first district and school “report card” that it had promised for early 2017.

Board members said they’d prefer a better methodology instead of producing a report using flawed criteria and revising it next year. They want to take another look in January, at their next meeting.

At issue is how to measure student performance on the Smarter Balanced tests in math and English language arts, one of a half-dozen statewide metrics that will make up the new report card. The state board objects to the approach that for years the state has used – and the federal government has required – but staff at the state Department of Education haven’t yet presented an alternative.

It's not cynical to believe California is doomed, the evidence is right in front of our eyes.