Do Not Just Focus on Test Scores – Focus on Student Engagement. When You Get that Right, the Test Scores Will Take Care of Themselves.

Make no mistake about it, student achievement is important. More often than not, that is how the public will judge the success of our schools. It is important for us to always remember, however, that student achievement does not happen in a vacuum. It happens in a cultural context where students are inspired and teachers are empowered. It happens when teachers have maximized their instructional efficacy through professional collaboration. It happens when the adults share a common commitment to connecting with the students in the building. It happens when the adults work to ensure all the students feel valued and supported. Student achievement is often a function of student engagement, and student engagement is much more likely when the students feel emotionally safe.