1) look for a graph that has a large increment on the y axis (going up) this makes the rate of increase seem larger than it is
2) look for a survey group of less than 1,000. Groups do this to purposefully scew data.
3) look for data that has a +/- of more than 2 or 3 percent.
4) use data that uses the Texas school districts!! they lied about their successes and as a result we all got NCLB.
5) Actually look at data from ANY state about school data. They're stupid when it comes to reliable data- example: growth or lack thereof of 4th graders from 2008/2009-2009/2010...... well, that's comparing 2 different sets of kids (the 2008/09 4th graders are now in 5th grade) so you can't really compare 1 group of kids score to anothers a year later and say "they" aren't improving. When really, if in 3rd grade only 60% passed the test, and then in 4th grade the same group 75% passed- they did improve... even if last year, 84% of my class passed.
Here's another one- not only does my school district compare grades year to year, but this year they changed the test- so my kids this year have to improve on my students score from last year and on a harder test. They changed a variable. Brilliant aye??
OK off the rant!!
I love statistics and numbers.