Let's try , though I am no expert

and initially chose C over E
cybera wrote:
The number of applications for teaching positions in Newtown’s public schools was 5.7 percent lower in 1993 than in 1985 and 5.9 percent lower in 1994 than in 1985.
Let the scenario be something like this
No of Teachers in 1985 = 1000 ; No of Teachers resigned between 1985-1993 =57
No of Teachers in 1993 = 943 ; No of Teachers resigned between 19931994 =2
No of Teachers in 1994 = 941
cybera wrote:
Despite a steadily growing student population and an increasing number of teacher resignations , however, Newtown does not face a shortage in the late 1990’s.
How can this be possible ; teachers are resigning yet shortage of teachers take place , that to with additional students ?
Definitely through new recruitment. Now lets jump to our options and find the correct answer.
Which of the following, if true, would contribute most to an explanation of the apparent discrepancy above?
(A) Many of Newtown’s public school
students do not graduate from high school. -
Outright Irrelevent(B)
New housing developments planned for Newtown are (shared) for occupancy in 1987 and are expected to increase the number of elementary school students in Newtown’s public -
Outright Irrelevent(C) The Newtown school board does not contemplate increasing the ratio of students to teachers in the 1990’s.
This looks promising lets test -
Ratio of students to teachers = No of Students / No of Teachers
Let No of Students in 1993 be 10000 , No of Teachers be 1000 ; Ratio of students to teachers = 10
Let No of Students in 1994 be 11000 , No of Teachers be 1100; Ratio of students to teachers = 10 [ 100 additional Teacher required to maintain same ratio]
Let No of Students in 1994 be 13200 , No of Teachers be 1320 ; Ratio of students to teachers = 10 [220 additional Teacher required to maintain same ratio]
And so on.........
The concept is clear , there must be an equal percentage increase in both the Numerator ( Students ) and Teachers and Denominator ( Teachers ) , teachers to maintain the same ratio of students to Teacher.
This option just touches the concept of recruitment of additional staff without directly stating the same - Lets hold it !!(D) Teachers’ colleges in and near Newtown
produced lower graduates in 1994 than in 1993.
Irrelevent(E) In 1993 Newtown’s public schools received 40 percent more applications for teaching positions than there were positions available.
Lets bring back our data -
No of Teachers in 1993 = 943 ; No of Teachers resigned between 19931994 =2 ; 2.8 Teachers wished to join the teaching position.
Now comes the fun , the School authority has the following options -
1. Recruit only the number teachers resigned to replace those who have resigned
2. Keep a pool (Excess candidates foud eligible - for future requirement ) of candidates for the Post of teachers found eligibble for the post in near future
3. Recruit all those candidates found eligible ( To meet future requirements )
This options clearly refers to recruitment of teachers to meet those who resigned ( As well for future anticipated requirement)
Hence I would love to go with (E) , for the following reasons -
1. It clearly refers to Recruitment of staff
2. Considers additional ( Anticipated ) requirements.
Hence I prefer E over C _________________