TLDR: I like looking at data. So I have crunched A LOT of education-related data in Arkansas. With LEARNS threatening "failing" schools with charter school takeovers, I was curious what factors contribute to a schools failing or succeeding according to the data. A thread..🧵1/ 
This 🧵 will only show a small bit. If you want to view this information in detail, visit this link: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
This screenshot shows how I determined the combined district grades. There would be too much data to process to look at individual schools.
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This screenshot shows how I determined the combined district grades. There would be too much data to process to look at individual schools.
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I checked for correlations between the districts' grades and various educational data points. This screenshot shows some of the positive correlations to things that show a positive impact on a district's combined grade.
Important Note: CORRELATION DOES NOT PROVE CAUSATION
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Important Note: CORRELATION DOES NOT PROVE CAUSATION
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This shows some more correlations, now moving into the negative correlations. Those correlations mean as the percentage or value of the data point increases, then it shows a negative impact on a district's grade. View the entire spreadsheet here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
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This shows some of the correlations between district grades and various factors over the last 5 years.
The state has SO MUCH DATA that it is impossible to download all of it from its website without locking down its system. Check for yourself. 5/ myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov/Plus/Schools
The state has SO MUCH DATA that it is impossible to download all of it from its website without locking down its system. Check for yourself. 5/ myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov/Plus/Schools
Conclusions:
1. LEARNS and other acts/bills this #arleg session REDUCES req's to become teachers. The data shows these exemptions NEGATIVELY impact student learning.
2. LEARNS does not REWARD teacher exp or adv degrees, both show a positive impact.
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1. LEARNS and other acts/bills this #arleg session REDUCES req's to become teachers. The data shows these exemptions NEGATIVELY impact student learning.
2. LEARNS does not REWARD teacher exp or adv degrees, both show a positive impact.
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3. Retaining students NEGATIVELY impacts schools.
4. Schools w/ more financial freedom do better.
5. Dictating how schools must spend funds from state or federal sources correlate negatively.
6. The worst-performing districts don't have "school choice" options available.
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4. Schools w/ more financial freedom do better.
5. Dictating how schools must spend funds from state or federal sources correlate negatively.
6. The worst-performing districts don't have "school choice" options available.
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7. LEARNS doesn't prevent teacher burnout or turnover. It likely makes these worse! These both contribute negatively to learning outcomes.
8. Socioeconomic (using free/reduced lunch %) reasons have THE BIGGEST negative impact on learning and is NOT addressed in LEARNS!
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8. Socioeconomic (using free/reduced lunch %) reasons have THE BIGGEST negative impact on learning and is NOT addressed in LEARNS!
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Look through the data. See if you can find any other interesting tidbits or conclusions. The analysis definitely raises some questions that could warrant future investigation.
Let me know what stands out to you, or questions, or comments, or concerns.
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Let me know what stands out to you, or questions, or comments, or concerns.
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It is OBVIOUS the #arleg didn't look at the data that teachers and administrators live and know anecdotally before pushing LEARNS into law.
This is a massive breach of public trust! LEARNS is destined to join the massive pile of failed education initiatives & policies. /end
This is a massive breach of public trust! LEARNS is destined to join the massive pile of failed education initiatives & policies. /end
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