Academic achievement is one of the predominant factors leading to a child s healthy future.
Schools today serve students of diverse background, ability, and temperament. It is our responsibility to create an education system that can meet the challenge to both teach and nurture these increasingly complex, dynamic student populations. Setting high standards is not enough. Successful schools both raise the bar and close the gap in achievement between disadvantaged and general populations. Certainly quality teaching, academic supports, school readiness programs, and regular and appropriate assessment are essential to this process.