"The district prides itself, and rightfully so, on the number of awards for excellence and the outstanding academic performance of its college bound and gifted students. FOr these students, opportunities are unlimited. Meager attention, however, is given to those whose performance is not considered to be academically gifted as determined by standardized testing."

"Thus, a new phenomenon has emerged within the district - an increase among students representing diverse and poor families. Yet, the system is disinclined to encourage the psychological and academic growth of those students who do not fit the acceptable norm, i.e., the student in the middle, the disaffected child, the poor, the handicapped and ethnically different. Victims of less than student-centered attitudes, many of them and their families are virtually voiceless, becoming more and more isolated from those opportunities likely to guarantee future success."