<p>Anyway, please don't get the idea that I don't want my child to master the basics. I do want her to know how to read, write and do arithmetic. I just don't want her to get the idea that learning is boring and stressful because of all the "measuring" that is in vogue these days. I think there are better ways to do it than what is currently happening in my child's school. The sad thing is, this very same elementary school used to be a fun, exciting place to learn. Now it is becoming "mediocre." It is sad to watch it happen.</p>