The recent upswing in need for standardized exams has been good for the educational testing business, no doubt. The Contra Costa Times believes this is proof that the companies are "cashing in." Why the negative terminology for describing a simple process of supply increasing to meet demand? Are test developers supposed to work for free?
Companies that sell to the schools -- from test publishers to tutoring services to teacher-training outfits -- say business is booming as troubled districts turn to them for help.
There's a burgeoning "sense of consumerism in public education" as parents learn about the law and begin demanding services, says Jeffrey Cohen, president of Sylvan Education Solutions, a unit of closely held Educate Inc. His company says it expects to tutor 20,000 youngsters in struggling schools this year, with No Child Left Behind requiring the schools to pick up the $40- to $80-an-hour tab.
I'd say that reflects much more of a "burgeoning awareness of shoddy teaching and low standards in public education" on the part of parents. Parents aren't trying to be conspicuous consumers here; they just want to be sure their kids recieve a proper education, something no longer guaranteed by the public K-12 system. Schools that have to pick up these tabs should wonder why they're paying teachers to do the job badly in the first place.
This article actually does a good job of outlining the amazing amount of resources now available for students, parents and teacher from testing companies. So why is this "cashing in"? Methinks the headline author at the CC Times is rankled by the mere idea that anyone is making a - gasp! - profit from supplying the demand for solid educational instruction.
Posted by kswygert at December 29, 2003 10:04 AM