We were cautioned our test scores would go down. We were told not to worry. We were told not to take these lower scores on our 2013 state assessments...personally. You'll have to excuse me, but I do. It's a bit personal when I work with students who cry because they're worried about their score on state assessments or teachers...good teachers...who worry day and night that the state assessments will make them look as if they are poor teachers.

In education circles, we often hear the word, "performing."

I don't want to sound arrogant but most school leaders know more than the state education department does...where teachers and students are concerned. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't find professional development and learning opportunities for myself and for the teachers I am honored to work with every day.

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