School Shenanigans

The scores have been reported and as a country we could say our students, when compared to the rest of the world, are "emerging" in math and science. Emerging, it has a nice ring. It reminds me of springtime (i.e. the flowers in my garden are emerging). Yes, emerging is a very positive concept. Obviously, indicating plenty of room for growth. Nothing wrong with emerging, unless emerging means:

At the fourth-grade level, however, the numbers tell a different story. U.S. students showed no improvement over 1995's math score of 518 and a six-point drop from that year's science score of 542.

Apparently, emerging means failing. Now that doesn't sound so pretty. In fact as a parent, if I hear my child is "failing," I know that is bad. Pretty ironic that the same day we find out that our children are failing when compared to their international peers, Albuquerque Public Schools decides to do away with all that traditional grading nonsense. Now they plan on using words like emerging, nearing proficient, proficient and advanced.

Shakespeare wrote:

What ’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

I do believe the same could be said for something that smells awful. Failing is failing. School Districts shouldn't try to make it "smell" any other way.