All students should participate in taking this test. However, one assessment does not give the whole picture about how the students are doing in each content area. And, as you know, this is the only assessment used to show how a school is doing as a whole.

We've never had a parent even consider opting their child out of the test.

Some of the conflicts stem from the characteristics of this generation. A lot of students were an only child or had their own room at home. When it comes to a point where it's not working out, we don't want the social aspect of college to interfere with the academic aspect, so we need to be flexible and give them options.

I tell my story not so much to lecture or teach, but rather to open the door for students to be honest with themselves and others. When I was growing up, I had a false idea of what an alcoholic was, and I did not believe I fit the description. I refused help for quite a while after it became clear to others that I had a problem, mostly due to that stereotype I held.

The tables here all had to be sanded and painted, and the students had a big role in that.

We have invited 10 chapters, which are secondary schools, to come and train...each one is to bring two students.