Graduation Rates and Monica Math

A beleaguered local high has produced a graduating class that
is extraordinary by any reasonable measure. The leadership
of the APS would like you to believe it is more extraordinary
than it really is.

They are using Monica math to rearrange mathematical rubrics
in order to raise graduation rates beyond the rates justified by
actual increases in the performance levels of students or of the system.

At this particular high school, a mathematical weeding out of
seniors at the beginning of the year; those who weren't going
to graduate, raised the graduation rate compared to past years
when those same students would have sat through a senior year
and then not graduate.

The weeding out makes perfect sense. You just can't use the
statistical improvement it creates, to make people believe you
have actually increased levels of performance.

In the past, Monica math allowed them to add another year to
high school; a move that increased APS' graduation rate but
did not reflect any real increase in performance. It is now a
five year plan not four. While this perspective makes some sense,
it doesn't mean you get to pass it off as increased levels of performance.

Monica math also allowed them to drop from cohorts, students
who have previously failed the 9th grade. APS' graduation rate
increased mathematically, but it did not reflect any real increase in performance.

According to the standards of conduct they establish and enforce upon students;

" any acts, out-of-context statements, and even silence, that are intended to create beliefs or leave impressions that are untrue or misleading"

are prohibited. They are employed at the sacrifice of one's good
character.

Monica math is being used to create beliefs and leave impressions that are untrue and misleading. By any measure this high school did well, but not as well as they would have you believe.

Statistical manipulation is not the same as improved performance.
It is nothing more than spinning of the truth.

By none of this, infer that I would have you believe that there
hasn't been increased performance at this high school. There are
an awful lot of people there who have been straining mightily
to accomplish precisely that objective.

They have proved it can be done.


They just haven't proved that
it has been done to the degree
that Monica Armenta and the
folks she works for, would like
you to believe they have.




photo Mark Bralley