Pressure to Reach Every Child, A Good Thing*

Too often, the implementation of high-stakes testing and curriculum damages learning environments, student interest in school, and crushes teacher and staff morale, among other detrimental effects.

But this I will admit: despite all that is wrong with NCLB and state testing demands, I can't imagine that educators have ever been so cognizant of every student's academic performance. Caught up in trying to improve school test scores is making sure interventions and other programs are in place to bring students up to grade level. Unfortunately, traditional school and testing models aren't often effective for struggling students, and I see the remedial classes as more of the same, ineffective medicine for these children who are finally given more attention.

Even though we might be more aware of every student's performance (narrowly defined on reading and math tests), there should be more innovation and celebration of student strengths as we strive for every student to find success in school. There is too much focus on student weakness at school.