Plastic gold medals and the data that really matters

Their is the data that matters, and the data that really matters in a child's life.
The data that matters to policy makers and politicians are a child's test scores. The prize, a label of either below proficiency, at proficiency, or even above proficiency, and Golly another billion counted for testing companies.
The data that really matters is finishing your first chapter book.
Dr. Turner bows down to your great brain,
Your brain is so much stronger than Dr. T's
I salute your brilliant brain power,
Recognize your greatness,
And I publicly bestow this gold medal upon you on this your day of glory.
He could care less about your proficiency levels, but he'll never forget his first chapter book and that 10 cent plastic gold medal forever.
Children are more than test scores,
Jesse The Walking Man Turner

If you like to know what I was listening to on my walk this morning? It Sly and the Family Stone "Everybody is a star" > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTS8E8YATqg <