gratuitous "tipping point" reference
Underperforming Costano School in East Palo Alto, California, was
adopted by Cisco and got a "
number-one principal." And that
set off a chain reaction which brought test scores above the state average:
Costano, meanwhile, is like a change program inside an established company. In part, its progress is a testament to Cisco's persistence. But Costano has also achieved what author Malcolm Gladwell calls a "tipping point." Once outsiders help create a climate for learning, good things happen. Parents become more committed. The best teachers help recruit other stars. And before long, troubled schools turn into winners.
But the Gladwellian explanation isn't really complete unless you also mention the
cheating and grade inflation:
All 11 students interviewed, now finishing their freshmen and sophomore years in the Sequoia Union High School District, said Daniel read questions to them. State officials said that would be a clear violation of the directions for administering the test.
One girl, now a high school sophomore, said the practice was helpful because she could not read in seventh grade [...]
She and seven other students also said the teacher gave them answers, or gave them such strong hints that the answers became obvious. ``If you wanted the answer, you would just raise your hand,'' one said.