Rising to Greatness: An Imperative for Improving Iowa's Schools

Upon reading "Rising to Greatness," I was expecting to hear what programs, tests, systems are being put in place to improve Iowa's schools. Rather, I read pages and pages explaining Iowa's shortcomings. Higher level math classes, reading scores, standardized tests - they all show Iowa as either slipping or stagnant. Could this really be true? I have a few questions about the data.

1. Has the ITBS been improved upon in the last several years? If so, it would make sense that students are receiving the same scores, where in other states (theoretically) the test may be getting more out-of-date and thus easier. I am curious to know how many states take ITBS, because that would certainly validate the comparison. I am also curious how TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills) compares to ITBS or other state tests.

2. Are test scores an appropriate way to measure student learning? Obviously, this is not a new question in education. Tests certainly measure student achievement, which is still important. What is the correlation between test scores and post-high school success (higher education, employment)? Is this so-called achievement (if not learning) actually indicative of achievement after high school?

3. Why is it that Iowa is flatlining? The "Imperative" discusses rising technology, race, poverty, and disability, but all states deal with those issues. In The Tipping Point, Malcom Gladwell explains that drastic measures are not usually what cause drastic changes, or epidemics. Small, seemingly insignificant changes are made that tip the fad/movement/production over the edge. In the forward of "Rising to Greatness" Jason Glass states that "this goal will not be accomplished through small and incremental tinkering with the status quo. A goal like this requires meaningful change and the courage to do things differently than we have in the past."
I agree that one cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result, but I suspect that maybe Iowa doesn't need drastic measures. Iowa is producing incredibly prepared teachers (and I've seen teacher education programs in other states). Iowa is setting high standards for schools without completely giving in to NCLB. The Response to Intervention program as an alternative to traditional Special Education or 504 testing and placement is wonderful. Maybe we just need to find our tipping point. The "small and incremental" changes that will catch on like wildfire in communities. I don't pretend to have any ideas for what this might be, but I do believe that such an effect is possible.