It's easy to stand back and judge a school or teacher when you don't see the pressures other parents or groups are bringing to bear on that teacher or school. You want a school that promotes many spotlights of excellence because your child might not fit if there were only one or two areas. We don't want to praise children for trivial accomplishments. I would also suggest when judging the quality of a school or classroom that parents be mindful of the needs of the other students in class. These other students help to create a healthy climate for their child.
Subject matter is very important, certainly.
Any attempt to make genuine reforms that improve education needs to consider much more. What every American needs to know . The schools we need and why we don't have them . Response to Professor Feinberg. We Need and Why We Don't Have Them .