As an experienced educator at all levels (elementary, middle, high, and university), I strongly perceive that we are missing the target. Why not go to the root of the problem - parent? The academic foundation of a child starts in the home. We build onto that foundation in public/private education. We should produce programs for parents to help their kids prior to them entering a school. Children are entering school with no academic foundation. I've always preached that a child should enter school for the first time on or above the appropriate grade level. It's hard to build a building with no foundation.We are punishing teachers for things parents have failed to do at home. Yes, there are teachers who are not performing at the expected level. Train them to meet the expectation and if it doesn't work, get rid of them for the benefit of the child.

Yes, the teacher is the key in a child's academic development but in an environment where one size is expected to fit all (public school), some children get LEFT BEHIND. Facts are facts. Most of your "catch the child up programs" are designed to do in the school building what parents have failed to do at home. School districts are smart enough to train their own teachers, but most of the money spent on programs to produce better testing should be used to educate parents in building an academic foundation for their children.

Dr. Summ
Adm. Tennessee