Wow. A story in the NY Times which heaps praise upon Wake County’s “innovative” busing policy (based on socioeconomics, not race!!!) for gains made by hispanic and black students on standardized test performance, all the while ignoring that the fact that these statistics were roughly the same statewide.

This was bad enough to make the Daily Howler. Ouch.

I’d like to add two things:

1. Once upon a time, Wake County Schools had a goal: 95% at grade level (i.e. passing the end-of-year tests) by the year 2000. That didn’t happen, so the goal was extended to 2004 2003. That didn’t happen, either. Lather, rinse, repeat!
2. At one of his first appearances as superintendent, Bill McNeal walked on stage accompianied by Isaac Haye’s immortal anthem for Shaft. Teachers were amused—sort of. I guess every hero needs his theme music.

(Via Marypat.)