They also became goals to satisfy the three core needs of people in every culture — the need to know who we are, the need for knowledge, and the need for respect and love. We found that these goals gave students a powerful incentive to improve in reading, math and written communication. When curriculum is used by parents and teachers as a tool, rather than as a goal, it changes the whole nature of public education. When we found ways to assess student growth in greatness, parents, teachers and students joined hands as full, equal partners in an exciting new venture.

Do we really need and want an alternative to "No Child Left Behind"? Is it possible for our culture to give up the notion that student achievement in curriculum is the primary goal and purpose of public education? Can we give up grade-point averages as the main indicators of learning? The answer is a qualified yes, if people really want a school system that provides "success for every child." All we have to do is remember that "success" must be different for every youngster. The greatness of America lies in the positive diversity of its people, not in their uniformity. Our country is composed of unique individuals because that is the only kind of people there are.

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Lynn Stoddard is the author of "Educating for Human Greatness." He is a retired educator who lives in Farmington.