The following list represents school reform practices that are of concern to parents across the state and nation. This list is meant to serve as a guide to assess your child's classroom. It is important to note that these practices in and of themselves are NOT necessarily negative. What is problematic, however, is the potential to over utilize these practices at the expense of other time tested methods of instruction. PRESS is committed to a balanced approach to the education of all children, and encourages parents to become aware of the school reform process in their schools.

1. Removal of traditional A,B,C,D,F grades
   • decrease emphasis on competition
   • increase emphasis on self-esteem
   • no deadlines for assignments
   • tests may be retaken as often as desired
   • class rankings and honor rolls obsolete
   
   
2. Cooperative Learning
   • group grading on all group work (no individual grades for group members)
   
   
3. Integrated Curriculum
   • subjects combined vs. mastered individually
   • movement away from important and specific academic content knowledge
   
   
4. Affective Approach to Education
   • outcomes addressing attitudes, behaviors, feelings and beliefs rather than cognitive knowledge
   • politically correct outcomes dealing with environmentalism, citizenship, and cultural diversity
   
   
5. Movement Away From Phonics
   • whole language approach to reading involving "look-say" or "sight-word" methods
   • phonics is sporadically used as opposed to an intense, progressive, and systematic approach
   • de-emphasis on spelling: "inventive" and "creative" spelling is encouraged
   
   
6. De-emphasis on use of Textbooks and Workbooks

7. Assessments based on "performance of tasks"
   • movement away from standardized achievement tests
   • tasks based on vague, subjective, and difficult to measure outcomes
   • catch phrases: "portfolios", "authentic assessment"

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