Test Scores Crash, Class Size Soars as Klein Rings Closing Bell

December 30, 2008 (GBN News): The bottom fell out of the worldwide market in test score futures today on word that NY City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein would be ringing the NASDAQ closing bell. And in a closely related development, class size futures went up to the highest level in over seven years, reaching over 40 in some districts.

The spectacle of Chancellor Klein serving in such a high profile ceremony sent shudders throughout the education world. Fears were that if his NY City style reforms spread around the country and even the world, the NY City model of constant test prep and higher class sizes will have negative effects on children’s educational performance everywhere. “If the NAEP scores for New York City are any indication,” said one analyst, “the spread of the Klein model could result in catastrophically poor educational achievement all over the world that may not bottom out until the Klein/Bloomberg administration is out of power, or at least discredited.”

Early in the Obama transition, the test score futures market had rebounded while class size futures declined on news that Linda Darling-Hammond was heading up the President-elect’s educational transition team. However, Mr. Obama’s choice of Arne Duncan as Education Secretary again roiled the market, and the Klein bell ringing ceremony today may be the final nail in the coffin.