Way back in the Permian when I went to college (Tufts Engineering) on the 1st day the dean told us "Look at the guy on your left. Now look at the guy on your right. Two out of three of you will not graduate." That was the algorithm. They cranked up the difficulty so only the best students made it. I'm not sure that was so wonderful an approach but it surely beats guaranteeing a diploma to underachieving students, which is the current approach.

Just a few years ago they derated the SAT scores so they would no longer seem to drop year after year. Now, what purpose does that serve other than to trun down the heat on those responsible for educating the students?

-p (the teachers union controlls Massachusetts politics)