Arkansas Taxpayer Dollars at Work???

A story in today’s Arkansas Democrat Gazette highlights the problem of grade inflation on Arkansas public schools.  Apparently, students who completed the ACT test had potential inflated grades in 2002, 2003 and 2004 according to a research at the University of Arkansas.  About 50% of the graduating seniors were identified as needing remedial work in either math or english based on their ACT scores.

A study by the College Board in 2004 indicated that although students are taking more difficult courses and are obtaining higher grade point averages, there has not been an increase in SAT scores to correspond with it.

I think it’s pretty ironic that this study is released on the heels of the final arguments of the re-opened Lake View case.  Although funding for public education was increased by over $400 million per year, the public school districts in the state of Arkansas says that still is not enough.

Is this what we are getting for that extra funding?  Why can’t we have accountability with the public school districts to actually deliver on improved education of our students with the extra funding?

I don’t mind paying taxes or even increased taxes IF the money is used responsibly.  The problem is that I don’t trust the school superintendents or school boards of the state of Arkansas to be good stewards of these public funds.