Reading test scores flat for 8th graders. But the test was designed to

measure whether students could form a general understanding, develop an interpretation, make connections to the text and examine content and structure.

And unfortunately there are 30 year old econ faculty at (is it Santa Clara or GMU now?) that think Gordon Gecko (Greed is Good) is the hero because of an effective portrayal by Michael Douglas in Wall Street.
It may also be that herr Doctor Professor likes the phrase, believes so strongly and sees only through his Mises Rims that only his politic lives within,

Mr. Douglas has said in interviews that he’s always amazed that people think he was the good guy.

Ah, well, please allow me to introduce myself …