It's pretty simple...educate for lasting knowledge; which means that throughout a students education you have to teach, make students correct their mistakes, make sure students understand their mistakes, make sure they are practicing the corrections, build upon what they have learned, repeat, etc.

Would you go to the doctor and just agree when he/she says "Okay, I'm going to open you up" without verifying that he/she understands the medical issue is first? I am sure you would insist on some tests before the surgery starts???

Then, why do we just send our children off to school; by some predetermined date criteria, on the whim and opinion of the kindergarten principal and without a clear understanding of our child's specific educational needs?

When children are in third grade they should be given a full scale IQ, Achievement and Cognitive abilities test. At that point educated decisions may be made to determine the best educational "path" for each child. There is NO reason why this could not be accomplished within the school year for the 100 or so third graders at each elementary school. This process should be repeated for all 7th grade students to ensure that each student is progressing appropriately for his/her own abilities and that they are still on the best path; for their learning style, needs and potential.

Currently, as a system, they wait until issues show up then might try to address them. If we wait until a student in middle school before it is "noticed" that they have a comprehension, reading or math disorder then precious time has been wasted that could have been spent helping that child work to his/her full potential; and now it might be too late to undo years of frustration for that child. Why on earth do we have so many who drop out before or give up beyond the twelve years that are required?

Stop teaching to the FCAT; start teaching to create a positive learning experience. Administrators drive the attitude of a school; so far my experience with middle and high school is not that they are eager or even care to create college ready students, rather it is to teach just enough to pass the FCAT and get the kids out of the school.

I think of it this way: No two people are the same so why do we assume that all children will learn the same way? If we really want to see success in our schools, a lower drop out rate and kids who are constantly challenged, some really big changes need to be made and QUICK!