Three elementary schools in Auburn are failing federal standards for mathematics.

What does that really mean for students?

In reality, the schools are not deficient. When Congress passed No Child Left Behind, one of the provisions required schools to show a 10 percent improvement each year for underachieving students. Congress mandated that but didn’t provide any guidance on how schools should achieve it, or provide any funds to meet that lofty goal.

Another federal unfunded mandate.

In addition, the 10 percent figure was an arbitrary number with no realistic basis of classroom experience. Think about it. Many of the underachieving students have learning challenges. It is more difficult for them to learn and achieve at the same level of students who do not have learning challenges.

In addition, a set percentage is more difficult to achieve as students improve. Let’s say a student starts out with a math score of 50. To improve 10 percent, they must raise their score 5 points. If they improve their score to 70, they must now raise their score 7 points to meet the 10 percent goal. If they make steady progress but raise their score only 5 points consistently, they fail.

Auburn is not alone. Last year, 68 Maine schools failed to meet standards. This year, the number practically doubles to 130.

Schools across the country are facing the same issue and school districts across the country are trying to get the law changed to meet sound educational reality, not arbitrary political policy.

John Spruill Jr., Auburn