Member of a local school board: All classrooms in our school district

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

Question presents a statement from the member of a local school board, a statement in which the member argues that there should be computers in every classroom in the school district. The school board member claims that the city is one of few cities in the state that do not have computers in every classroom, and as a result the “schools are suffering.” The speaker goes on to say that parents are moving out of the school district and that research indicates that students who attend schools with computers in every classroom have the highest rates of graduation and receive better-paying jobs than students who did not have computers in their classrooms. The question asks for the answer choice that best explains the flaw in the school board member’s reasoning; specifically, what does the school board member not establish in reaching the conclusion that computers should be available in every classroom in this particular school district? The student must consider each point of evidence the school board member offers. These points are: (1) there has been a loss in student body in the school district because parents are relocating to another school district; and (2) schools that have computers in the classroom have the highest graduation rates and acquire higher-paying jobs. Because the school board member cites research to support the claim about graduation rates and higher-paying jobs, the problem clearly lies in the claim about parents moving out of the school district. The correct answer choice will address this.

The Correct Answer:

C As noted in the Overview, the correct answer choice must note that the school board member fails to explain that parents move out of the district as a result of the lack of computers in the school district classrooms. Because there could be many reasons for parents relocating, the school board member must explain the connection between the lack of computers and the fact that some parents relocate. Answer choice (C), therefore, is correct.

The Incorrect Answers:

A Although funding is essential to the addition of computers to every classroom (and the reduced student body might suggest that the school district is losing funds instead of gaining them), the question of funding is not a part of the school board member’s argument and thus does not contribute to the flaw in the reasoning. Answer choice (A) is incorrect.

B Answer choice (B) is related to answer choice (A) in the sense that it suggests a problem with adding computers to a school district that has a reduced student body. This in itself is a reasonable issue to raise. However, it is a secondary issue given the passage, just because the school board member’s argument relies on the issue of parents relocating to new school districts (in addition to the claim about graduation rates and higher-paying jobs). Answer choice (B) is not correct because it does not address the immediate flaw in the member of the school district’s reasoning.

D Although the school board member should ultimately provide specific documentation for the claim about graduation rates and higher-paying jobs, the school board member does make the general claim that “research” supports this allegation. What the member of the school board does not establish, however, is that there is any research that shows that parents relocate due to a lack of computers in the classroom. Answer choice (D) does not address this, so it is incorrect.

E Answer choice (E) has no connection to the school board member’s claims, so it can be eliminated immediately. The school board member does say that the schools are suffering, but the evidence used to support this relates to parents relocating and research about academic and employment improvements for students who had studied with computers in the classroom.