You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Denver, Dougco tops in large-district growth”.
Denver, Dougco tops in large-district growth
Written by Nancy Mitchell on Aug 11th, 2010. | Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org
Could somebody decode the growth model? Is it accurate, what do the numbers mean, what is it based off of, what is a median growth percentile, etc etc? I initially was a big fan of the idea of the value-added growth model but Diane Ravitch demolished much of the research behind it in her recent book (it’s based off of economic modeling which has no statistical correlation to education, there isn’t really any research to prove it’s accurate once a host of variables are isolated, growth on a poorly designed test just indicates students are better test-takers, etc. etc.) Basically what do the numbers mean, if anything?
Mr. Harold – Thank you for pointing out that I should have given readers a way to find out more about the growth model. I’ve added a link to the story that takes you to the state’s data page on the model, which includes videos, FAQ sheets, etc., about how it works. This does not, of course, answer more philosophical questions about whether the model is the best system for Colorado to use – others should respond to that.