4 ms·

So you’re saying that the problem with education is not funding, structural inequality, uneven or poor curriculum, or any number of other realistic complaints a

So you’re saying that the problem with education is not funding, structural inequality, uneven or poor curriculum, or any number of other realistic complaints about American education. It’s simply that the kids are bad. I mean, rock-solid take, I guess. Don’t bother trying to improve, folks, these kids don’t deserve it. Assuming we rule out blindingly stupid arguments, perhaps we could ask if the distribution of that average funding might have something to do with the problem? Your anecdotal evidence doesn’t really serve to illustrate that education across the whole country is fine and of similar quality.

rayiner 2y ago
> So you’re saying that the problem with education is not funding, structural inequality, uneven or poor curriculum, or any number of other realistic complaints about American education. It’s simply that the kids are bad. Those aren’t “realistic complaints” about education, as distinguished from my “unrealistic” ones. Those are simply the factors you assume must explain observed educational differences given your worldview. For most people who think this way, evidence won’t change their mind because it’s these factors that must be the explanation for their worldview to make sense. The distribution of funding across the country is not a problem in most places. Some of the worst school districts spend the most money. The affluent school district where I grew up spends $19,750 per student per year. Baltimore spends $22,400 per year. Chicago is at $29,000. Detroit is at $28,000. Portland spends almost $49,000 per student.
- from-nibly 2y ago
  Exactly, Utah has just about the least spending per student and just about the highest test scores. Spending != education.
  - rayiner 2y ago
    No state does significantly better than Utah on NAEP’s 8th grade math testing (a number of states are comparable) while in 2022 Utah spent the least on education per student. https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/subject/publications/stt2022/pdf/2023011UT8.pdf https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/subject/publications/s...
    - tmpz22 2y ago
      Its even more interesting if you look at the grade 12 scores for 2022.

rayiner 2y ago

> So you’re saying that the problem with education is not funding, structural inequality, uneven or poor curriculum, or any number of other realistic complaints about American education. It’s simply that the kids are bad. Those aren’t “realistic complaints” about education, as distinguished from my “unrealistic” ones. Those are simply the factors you assume must explain observed educational differences given your worldview. For most people who think this way, evidence won’t change their mind because it’s these factors that must be the explanation for their worldview to make sense. The distribution of funding across the country is not a problem in most places. Some of the worst school districts spend the most money. The affluent school district where I grew up spends $19,750 per student per year. Baltimore spends $22,400 per year. Chicago is at $29,000. Detroit is at $28,000. Portland spends almost $49,000 per student.

from-nibly 2y ago
Exactly, Utah has just about the least spending per student and just about the highest test scores. Spending != education.
- rayiner 2y ago
  No state does significantly better than Utah on NAEP’s 8th grade math testing (a number of states are comparable) while in 2022 Utah spent the least on education per student. https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/subject/publications/stt2022/pdf/2023011UT8.pdf https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/subject/publications/s...
  - tmpz22 2y ago
    Its even more interesting if you look at the grade 12 scores for 2022.