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When statistics lie: politics and the US education system

Published: 10 February 2017

For 2014-15, the graduation rate from US high schools hit a record 83%. As far as statistics go, that’s one that anyone would love, but there’s more going on than you’d think — and, according to Professor Reuven Brenner, politicians and bureaucracies can make a statistic say nearly anything.

The 83% rate is suspect just because so many US schools and districts are gaming the system by discharging at-risk students or listing dropouts as having moved away. There are definitely lots of possible solutions, and it’s imperative that something gives; right now, developing countries that are building their own education systems, may see the US example cautionary rather than inspirational.

Read full article: Asia Times, February 8, 2017 

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