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Tables of Contents for Bail Me Out!
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
About the Author
ix
Introduction: Why You Need a Book Like This
1
6
PART I: Principles of Data Interpretation, or, How to Keep From Getting Statistically Snookered
7
76
Beware of Averages
11
3
Follow the Money
14
5
Beware of the Uncritical Acceptance of Convenient Conclusions
19
3
Watch for Selectivity in the Data
22
6
Show Me the Data!
28
3
Beware of Nostalgia
31
7
Beware of Causal Explanations Made From Correlational Data
38
6
Be Aware of Whether the Statistics Being Used Are Numbers or Rates (Percentages)
44
4
Know Whether You're Dealing With Ranks or Scores
48
2
Make Sure the Statistic Used Is the Right One
50
4
Ask How the Variable Is Defined
54
2
Ask How the Variable Is Defined---And Then Ask What the Criterion Measure Is
56
2
Differentiate Practical and Statistical Significance
58
5
Look for Trends, Not Snapshots
63
4
Beware of Trends
67
1
Ask What the Consequences Are Even If the Interpretation of the Data Is True
68
4
Beware of Changing Demographics
72
3
Try to ``See Through'' Graphs
75
5
Beware of Big (Small) Numbers
80
1
Beware of Generalizations
81
2
PART II: Aspects of Achievement
83
52
The Rise of Testing
88
15
Types of Tests
103
9
Other Indicators of Achievement
112
23
PART III: Handling the Tough Questions
135
63
How Come American Students Fall Farther Behind Their International Peers the Longer They Stay in School?
137
12
Why Are Test Scores Falling?
149
13
How Come Private Schools Do so Much Better Than Public Schools?
162
6
Why Don't We Have Vouchers so the Money Would Follow the Child?
168
4
Why Don't We Use Charter Schools as Laboratories for Innovation for the Rest of the System?
172
6
Why Are We Throwing Money at Schools?
178
5
Why Are SAT Scores Still Falling?
183
2
Why Don't Bright People Go Into Teaching?
185
4
With All This Talk About Standards and Accountability, Why Aren't Teachers and Administrators Held Accountable?
189
9
Conclusion
198
3
Resource A: Pop Quiz Answers
201
4
References
205