NoVA School Rankings - New Report (Arlington, Burke: how much, education, teachers)

[knopfler]

Fresh off the presses courtesy of the Post: Challenge Index 2008 | washingtonpost.com

Note that they exclude charter and magnet schools, so Thomas Jefferson's not on the list.

16. H-B Woodlawn, Arlington
48. Clarke County, Berryville
55. Langley, McLean
58. George Mason, Falls Church
64. Washington-Lee, Arlington
73. W.T. Woodson, Fairfax
74. Yorktown, Arlington
93. Lake Braddock, Burke
97. McLean, McLean

The top listings are pretty realistic with what I thought...later on down the list things get a little screwy, as I can't fathom sending my kids to Hylton HS over Brentsville, yet Hylton is ranked far higher. Strange. Apparently Battlefield HS in PWC wasn't worth ranking (maybe it's too new?)

[VRE332]

In my opinion, I think you're over concerned with your Child's education

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by VRE332

In my opinion, I think you're over concerned with your Child's education

Um, I don't have kids. But thanks for playing. Just ran across the rankings today in the Post and thought folks would be interested.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by knopfler

as I can't fathom sending my kids to Hylton HS over Brentsville,

Wait, I thought you said you had kids?

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by VRE332

Wait, I thought you said you had kids?

I said I couldn't fathom sending my kids to Hylton over Battlefield. That fact doesn't change depending on whether said kids exist yet or not.

[alexandrian]

"The rating is not a measurement of the overall quality of the school but illuminates one factor that many educators consider important."

[nwc07]

Thanks Knopfler! I appreciate the information!

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by nwc07

Thanks Knopfler! I appreciate the information!

One BIG detail that I had missed...there were ~27,000 schools in the Challenge Index. Listed are the TOP 1300, or 5%. Gainesville Times

[Yankeesfan]

The Challenge Index is highly controversial because it is based solely on the participation rate of students in AP exams. It does not take into consideration the quality of the teaching, how much kids learn, or how many of them even pass the AP Exams. Some schools have abysmal pass rates on the AP Exams but they still rate higher than schools that are actually educating kids just because they push kids who aren't ready into AP level courses in order to increase their rating on the Index. I have friends with children in Fairfax County schools who tell me of teachers and guidance counselors heavily pressuring them to put their kids into AP classes.

Is AP Good for Everybody? It's Debatable (washingtonpost.com)

Students aren't interchangeable - Opinion - USATODAY.com

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

The Challenge Index is highly controversial because it is based solely on the participation rate of students in AP tests. It does not take into consideration the quality of the teaching, how much kids learn, or how many of them even pass the AP Exams. Some schools have abysmal pass rates on the AP Exams but they still rate higher than schools that are actually educating kids just because they push kids who aren't ready into AP level courses in order to increase their rating on the Index. I have friends with children in Fairfax County schools who tell me of teachers and guidance counselors heavily pressuring them to put their kids into AP classes.

Is AP Good for Everybody? It's Debatable (washingtonpost.com)

Students aren't interchangeable - Opinion - USATODAY.com

Who corrects the AP Exams? The school or a State educational facility?