Val, interesting article.

1) I would tend to agree that low test scores would be a red flag. But not under all circumstances... For example: Many people are opposed to excessive "standardized testing" and "teaching to the test". One of the functions of standardized testing is to influence/persuade/pressure schools to adopt CCSS (or else the school's test scores would be low). Some teachers have stated that children with the readiness and ability to work on advanced curriculum are not allowed to do so, as studying advanced material which is not on the grade-level standardized test may result in a lower score.

I would want to know more. For example:
- Does this school teach to the test?
- Does this school use a curriculum which is not aligned to the standardized test topics and timing?
- Does this school follow a different set of standards which is believed to serve the local community well?
- Is there project-based learning?
- Are students developing and exhibiting internal locus of control? (Do they "own" their educational decisions?)
- Are there other measures which indicate learning and growth? (Writing essays, presenting speeches, etc)

If the educational progress truly is substandard, are there environmental factors which may be exhibiting a negative influence? (Specific to Detroit, MI... is any delay in educational progress directly attributable to lead which has been found in drinking water?)

2) IMO, An excessive salary, which is not commensurate with experience, credentials, and results is a red flag. I would want to know more. For example:
- What are the job's minimum and preferred qualifications?
- What is the industry salary range and mid-point for the position?
- What is the job description?
- What duties does the job entail?
- What are the goals for the position?
- What are the expectations for learning curve, performance review, feedback, follow-up, accountability, dismissal, etc?

3) Financial irregularities are a red flag. I would want to know:
- was one person embezzling?
- was there a widespread, pervasive, systemic problem?

4) Because there is good and bad in everything, for each decision made, I would want to know:
- Who benefits?
- Who is empowered?
- What are the constraints/parameters?
- Who are the decision makers?
- What are the PROs and CONs?
- How to minimize the downside/drawbacks/negatives?
- How will we know if the decision is achieving the desired results?
- How frequently will the decision be reviewed? By whom?
- Who will be notified of decisions? By what means?
I believe the focus must always be on the benefit to the student, and by extension, the student's family. A focus on benefiting or growing anything else (such as data collection, research, government, business profit, union salary and benefits) is a red flag.

5) There may be over-paid individuals in both the private sector and government. Ideally, in a perfect world, each entity may provide balance and a reality check for the other.

6) The current education system was developed under a series of different administrations. It remains to be seen how much DeVos may change the Department of Education, and how much the Department of Education may change DeVos.