Develop a good background in many areas. Grammar needs to be reinforced throughout the curriculum. Son in 9th grade has much grammar. Meet the Presidential standards for physical fitness. Students who are held back decline over the years as they lose their group of friends, often become dropouts and do not improve academically over the long term.
State has assessments for reading literacy, tests vs national norm.
Overlaps of assessments. Different teachers in the district have different methods of assessing. Use assessment to determine if curriculum is weak. Look at assessment tests to determine curriculum. The grades don't match up between the two, but overlap so it is almost impossible to reconcile the two.