It’s here: http://www.doe.k12.de.us/news/2012/0914.shtml
In a stunningly obtuse statement, State Board of Education President proudly declares:
The department’s goal is to focus on outcomes not inputs. Clarity and transparency are essential to an outcomes-based system, State Board of Education President Teri Quinn Gray said.
“It uses multiple measures and trends over time, not just a single snapshot of a single measure, which is important particularly with student growth and proficiency,” Gray said.
Anyone who understands anything about process, most notably CHEMISTS, understand that to get proper outcomes, the thing that matters the MOST, above any other consideration, is INPUTS. Inputs must be precise and pure. Inputs guide outputs. When outputs are the focus, adults are much more likely to engage in outcome altering behaviors, like cheating and data manipulation, and sadly the children will be the prey.
To publicly declare that the DOE’s focus is solely on “outcomes not inputs” is not only bad practice, it is a betrayal of the scientific method, and one of the worst public policy statements I have ever read. Cue epic disaster in 3…..2……1
Here’s a video from a pretty successful businessperson describing how they focus on what they control, not the outcomes:
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I wish this Teri Gray would speak some damn English.
I would settle for common sense and a contemplative sensibility about policy formation and its effect on the system of education she’s responsible for