If ever there were a proving ground to gauge the impact of eliminating tracking, it is Providence. The city's students are among the poorest and among the poorest-performing in the nation. Some educators say classrooms should include students of varying abilities, but others say that is a disservice to students at both ends of the spectrum. On many days, in some high school classes a quarter to a third of the students are absent.
Teachers say that such absenteeism makes it extremely difficult to teach.
For counselors, a smile is a victory Guidance counselors at Providence's Windmill Street School seek the roots of troubles students bring to the classroom. While students from wealthier districts usually have higher scores, officials aren't sure how spending affects the scores. Opening the books on Rhode Island's schools Advocates for education reform say that in order to change and improve our schools, we need accountability, to know which ones are working and which are failing. Tough but fair teachers who encourage students to do their best get the highest marks. They took no responsibility, however, for any of the problems that plague public schools today.