Yes, there are problems with standardized tests

I've been following with interest USA Today's series of investigative articles* regarding cheating (and potential cheating) on standardized tests nationally. The latest article regarding Washington, D.C. not surprisingly raised questions about the tenure of Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor. What was surprising was how she chose to respond to those questions:

"It isn't surprising," Rhee said in a statement Monday, "that the enemies of school reform once again are trying to argue that the Earth is flat and that there is no way test scores could have improved ... unless someone cheated."

USA TODAY's investigation into test scores "is an insult to the dedicated teachers and schoolchildren who worked hard to improve their academic achievement levels," Rhee said.

Rhee, who said Monday night that the investigation "absolutely lacked credibility," had declined to speak with USA TODAY despite numerous attempts before an article ran online and in Monday's newspaper.

Matt Yglesias calls her on it, but then (as usually with Yglesias on education; what's up with that?), draws the wrong conclusions, and is lambasted by his readers. Salon points out the defense is...lacking. Dana Goldstein on the Daily Beast rightly links this to education policy gone amuck, and brings us back to Campbell's Law.
Meanwhile, Rhee aside, D.C. schools are going to look at the allegations more closely.

*I can't find a link that will give you the whole series, but you've find a drop-down menu on the next link that gives them all.