MAYOR FUDGING TEST RESULTS?

New York City – Today, the Mayor unveiled the latest round of test scores for 4th and 8th graders. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) released the following statement:

“Kids who did better on this year’s tests should be congratulated.

“But let’s be clear. There’s a couple of ways to improve test scores.

“One is by improving performance of students and teachers. As Mayor, that’s what I would do.

“The other is by fudging the test and who is involved in it. It looks like the Mayor and the Chancellor are choosing this route.

“They’ve taken out of the testing pool those students who are generally the bottom performers. And the 8th grade tests are down.

“This argues for much greater transparency all around at the Department of Education. This is but one of a series of questions that arises from the way the Department operates with an ever present air of mystery.

“For parents, politicians and education advocates to asses these scores fairly we need much better transparency on everything, even as basic as how many waivers were granted.

“We don’t let kids cheat on their test taking. The Mayor shouldn’t cheat on the test results.”