With all the attention being paid to improving student performance and the assessments designed to measure that improvement, trying harder and doing more is the first response. Sometimes, it is the only response. For students and teachers alike, after school sessions, tutoring, and practice are replacing exciting and engaging learning.  The attention paid to what is happening in classrooms, that teachers need to change some practices, and the hyper-focus on the standardized test results have raised stress levels. Leaders have found themselves steeped in the teacher evaluation process, pointing out weaknesses and setting goals for improvement as a year-end practice. This type of focus can leave everyone, leaders, teachers, and students feeling disheartened. Read more...