Study: Stigmatizing Failure Can Hamper Educational Achievement

The Huffington Post (3/14, Resmovits) reports that a French study published in the Journal of Psychology: General "shows how telling students that failure is a natural element of learning -- instead of pressuring them to succeed -- may increase their academic performance. ... The study's findings, publicized by the American Psychological Association, come amid mounting cries against high-stakes standardized tests in the US." The piece notes that critics question the value of standardized testing, particularly as regards teacher evaluations. The study's authors, the Post reports, say that high-stakes testing triggers a "lack of confidence that makes it harder to assess aptitude."