the whole district approach seems to be paying attention the loudest or most glaring problem(s) and ignoring the rest

Because the TOP is higher than you think. They don't even SEE the students from up there, just test scores.

it's CYA. Admin in many districts is grasping at straws to keep scores up. Sadly, many decisions to protect admin ends up hurting kids.

bottom line it is about AYP and NCLB. No one wants to look bad in the press

quality and visionary leadership is in extremely short supply

education is now prescribed by politicians rather than subscribed by educators.