Reanalyzed data evaluated by A. Amrein and D. Berliner, using a comparison group of states that did not attach consequences to their statewide tests. States that did attach consequences outperformed states that did not, showing meaningful carryover from attaching consequences to statewide testing. (SLD)

Reanalysis of data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress continues to support the position that high-stakes tests do not do much to improve academic achievement. Data indicate that the extent to which states with high-stakes tests outperform those without remains indeterminable. (SLD)

L. Weiner (2003) argues that research reports from High Performance Learning Communities were biased because of the close relationship of researchers and reform leaders. Asserts that the data support the original contentions about the value of the reform effort as a model. (SLD)

L. Weiner (1003) and L. Resnick (2003) have advanced sharply different views about the success of reforms in Community School District 2 in New York City. It is possible that Weiner's views are more objective. Notes that criticisms of scholarly work are neither personal nor unscientific, and are quite common. (SLD)

Documents many inaccuracies in the Abell Foundation report on teacher certification and describes the actual findings of many of the studies the Foundation's report purports to review. Presents data challenging the Abell Foundation claim that uncertified teachers are as effective as certified teachers. (SLD)

Raises concerns about the procedures used and conclusions drawn in C. Bolon's article on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System 10th grade mathematics tests. Bolon's conclusions do not follow from his data, as described. (SLD)

Agrees with the conclusions of C. Bolon about the relationship between per capita income and school mean grade mathematics grade 10 scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment but takes issue with the methodology, considering it inadequate to support the conclusions. (SLD)

Addresses the criticisms and points made by S. Michelson and V. Willson and N. Kellow, demonstrating weaknesses in their analyses and defending the original study of the relationship between per capita income and the scores of 10th graders on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment in mathematics. (SLD)

Analyzes the findings of J. Greene and data from Florida and suggests that the strong effects (significant improvement on test scores in schools threatened by vouchers) noted by Greene may actually be due in large part to sample selection, regression to the mean, and problems related to the aggregation of test score results. (Author/SLD)

Re-analyzes data from Florida public schools and offers a different perspective and alternative explanation for the pattern of test score improvements among low scoring schools in Florida. Shows that the most dramatic improvements were achieved by targeting a minimum passing score on the writing test. (SLD)

Ng suggests that a funding scheme that is dramatically unequal in direct spending can still be fair, but his measure of fairness, net subsidy, flies in the face of all government public-good spending practices. Politicians trying to avoid the issue of unequal funding should not take comfort from Ng's analysis. (SLD)

This rebuttal provides a more complete description of the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative than the previous article, describes the Program Improvement Review process in more detail and outlines its role in the overall project, and provides data that supports the program's overall effectiveness. (Author/SLD)

Refutes the assertion by W. Lichten (2000) that increased access to advanced placement (AP) courses in high school has led to a decline in AP quality. Suggests that increased access exposes students to college-level course material, encourages teachers to expand their knowledge domains, increases curriculum rigor, and give students new challenges.…

Analyzes S. Bauer's article on the use of achievement tests to judge school quality to demonstrate the importance of logic, philosophy (especially conceptual analysis), and insights based on anecdotal evidence for educational research and policy making. Emphasizes the place for logical reasoning and anecdotal evidence in the empirical enterprise…

The general analysis of Latin American educational research by A. Akkari and S. Perez seems to describe a homogeneity among Latin American countries without specifying factors peculiar to each country. A more rigorous approach is needed to describe research in more than 20 independent countries. (SLD)