Test Scores, Unions and Polls

Much news created today with polls sympathetic to the cause of "worker rights" in Wisconsin, specifically a) Americans are more sympathetic to public sector union workers and b) these empowered union educators get the better results.

Well, not all the polls conducted recently support point a).

- 46% say govt shut down ok, 44% think it's bad (I think this is a throwaway)

- 35% say govt worker pay about right, 42% say it's too much

- 63% to 31%, govt workers should contribute more to their benefits and retirement programs

- And "Efforts by governors to limit collective bargaining rights are motivated by a desire to reduce government costs rather than to weaken unions", voters agree 47% - 41%

Second point in this post made this evening by Iowahawk, a rascal from the heartland. Educational outcomes between Wisconsin and Texas when broken down by ethnicity. I hate to be a numbers guy (except tonight), but the comparisons are misdirected if you ignore the root cause of underperformance. The thing that drags down educational performance is broken families and impoverishment.

Which state is doing a better job of stemming the tide?

You tell me. Numbers don't lie.

posted by Dave In Texas at 08:28 PM

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