This image is from a New York Times article on how different ways of measuring graduation rates produce very different results and turn out to be, no surprise, political.
The article discusses some of the varying measures and it, along with the image, could make for a great example in a Methods or Statistics class.
Comments 2
Anonymous — April 1, 2008
Interesting. Far too soft on data for a methods class; though. Seems more appropriate for an Education class.
staghounds — April 3, 2008
Upcoming studies:
"Many drivers report their speed to the trooper as slower than it actually was"
"Many employees report their arrival time to employers as earlier than it is"
Seriously, how is this "political"? It's human, you get what you pay for. You pay for more reported graduates, you get more reported graduates. And these are STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS. They would never lie!
Wait a minute- if they lie, they get more money for the educational mission. And NCLB was Bush thing, wasn't it? So it's not like they are lying to someone who matters.
In fact, George Bush is forcing good, Progressive! educators to lie! Just like him!
All better now.