A curious part of Secretary Duncan's press release was buried at the end of the second paragraph where he noted the hard work of teachers, principals, students and families. Where is the evidence from which he based this statement? Does that mean for states that are recorded as having stayed the same, or declined a point or two, that the teachers in that state did not work hard? Or that the principals, students, and families in those states were not as hard working as in other states? We accept his compliment but wonder about the premise on which it is based.  Read more...