If a business increased its production by 44% with no drop in quality and no increase in equipment costs and with no additional resources, researchers would be beating a path to the company’s door and Jim Collins would be writing a “Good to Great” book about the company. Why? In the real world, simultaneous quantitative and qualitative improvements are rare.

However, when the number of SAT test-takers increases by 44% with an increase in math scores and no drop in reading or writing “there isn’t any huge news here.” Despite fewer teachers, more students, and big budget cuts, more and more students are taking both the SAT and ACT. When it comes to public schools, simultaneous quantitative and qualitative increases are apparently the new expectation.

I know that it is fashionable to bash schools, but the refusal to give any credit where credit is due undermines the credibility of the reporters and so-called experts.

Only someone who had actually worked in a school would understand that the additional 44% of SAT test takers probably does not include members of the National Honor Society. They have already been taking the tests for years. That 44% represents less capable students who, in decades past, would not have even considered taking the SAT.

The experts won’t say it but I will. We still have a lot to do, but great work teachers and principals!