It has long been suspected that states were lowering standards in order to show the necessary gains in reading and math scores to remain in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. Since the states get to define proficiency and then have federal funds tied to meeting that goal, is that any surprise? [...]

We watched the children’s version of Ben Hur this evening. This is a brief excerpt:
Ben Hur: The Hebrew God is the one true God.
Messala: There are many gods, but the greatest is Mars.
Mouse: Mars is a planet, you fool!