Topic: Testing Algorithm

Crowe analyzes the testing protocols used in China, noting that the desire to miss zero cases led to a bias toward false positives. He explains how changing the "test algorithm"—such as requiring multiple positive results versus just one—can artificially inflate or deflate the number of reported cases. He warns that treating false positives with toxic drugs creates a self-perpetuating medical crisis.

The discussion shifts to the specific dangers of the Common Core assessment process rather than just the curriculum standards. Farrell argues that the move toward individually adaptive, computerized testing puts students in a box where they must guess the mind of the test preparer. These proprietary algorithms are hidden from the public, turning the testing process into a mechanism for data mining and psychological profiling.