The recent improvement, he speculates, may be the welcome byproduct of a upturn in math and reading skills, as measured by test scores, among minorities in the years before the students reach ninth grade.

FORBES: Connect

"Accountability" has turned to test cramming and bean counting, often limited to basic reading and math skills.

FORBES: Book Review

But 76% agreed with proposals to test the skills of trainee teachers in the areas of reading, writing, arithmetic and new technology.

BBC: Teachers 'reject payment by results'