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The children in the second grade at a local elementary school scored lower on tests of math skills this year than the second graders did last year. The school board blames the disappointing results on the budget cuts that forced the school to consolidate several classes of second-grade students, thus depriving them of the individualized attention that they had previously enjoyed. Which of the following, if true, best supports the explanation offered by the school board for the students' lower test scores?A. Students at other elementary schools in the area also scored poorly on the same test of math skills this year.

B. No new textbooks were purchased by the school board this year.
C. The test that the second graders took this year was not more difficult than the test that the second graders took last year.
D. Students in the third grade at the elementary school performed better in math this year than the third graders did last year.
E. Other schools in the area also experienced severe budget cuts.

2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

Choice C supports the explanation by ensuring that the decline in test scores wasn't due to increased test difficulty, but rather to structural changes such as increased class sizes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question revolves around why the second graders at a local elementary school scored lower on math skills tests this year compared to last year. The school board attributes this decline to budget cuts leading to larger class sizes and less individualized attention for students. Out of the given options, choice C: "The test that the second graders took this year was not more difficult than the test that the second graders took last year," best supports the school board's explanation that the decrease in scores was due to structural changes rather than changes in test difficulty.

User Ashish Verma
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3 votes

Answer:

Option C is right

Step-by-step explanation:

given that the children in the second grade at a local elementary school scored lower on tests of math skills this year than the second graders did last year

The school board blames the disappointing results on the budget cuts that forced the school to consolidate several classes of second-grade students, thus depriving them of the individualized attention that they had previously enjoyed

the proper explanation woul dbe

A. Students at other elementary schools in the area also scored poorly on the same test of math skills this year.

False because this is not a justification

B. No new textbooks were purchased by the school board this year.

-- This is blaming school so should not be given

C. The test that the second graders took this year was not more difficult than the test that the second graders took last year.

-- this is correct because last year when budget was right results were good.

D. Students in the third grade at the elementary school performed better in math this year than the third graders did last year.

-- wrong

E. Other schools in the area also experienced severe budget cuts.--wrong