JONATHAN KIRSHNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Stories: Pass or Fail

Harvard Park Elementary School student Daquarion Banks faces what will be a difficult year in the third grade. He and his classmates are faced with the growing hurdles of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Harvard Park Elementary School student Daquarion Banks faces what will be a difficult year in the third grade. He and his classmates are faced with the growing hurdles of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
   
Daquarion's grandmother Theresa helps him with his homework.
   
An anagram made by Daquarion is taped to the classroom wall.
     
  
Daquarion, second from right, and his classmates, Eyenesia Smith, Shaliyah Wright and Steve Collins endure some tutoring by Mary Kay Hostetler during the 21st Century after-school program.
   
Daquarion, right, is triumphant over his classmates in a game used to lighten the mood as stress over preparing for the ISAT's increases.
   
Daqurion's teacher Michelle Cano, left, continues to consult with Theresa Banks and her fiance Myrel Simmons during an ISAT informational meeting in February. Theresa and Myrel were the only parents from Cano's class who showed for the event.
     
  
Theresa Banks and her grandson Daquarion, whom she has adopted, at the ISAT prep night at Southeast High School.
   
Third-graders Lyric Leech, left, Daquarion Banks and Xavious Haynes, struggle through a reading comprehension exercise with Mary Kay Hostetler, a Harvard Park reading coach in the weeks leading up to the ISATs.
   
Daquarion and his classmates complete a scavenger hunt of clues pointing them to ISAT tips on dozens of posters that can be referenced while taking the test.
     
  
Daquarion grows tired as he and his grandmother Theresa put another long night into school work.
   
Daquarion's teacher was obvious of her desire to keep it quiet around her room. On the last day of testing literacy coach Lori Moore, right, removes the barrier.
   
On the last day of school Michelle Cano hands out the grades to Daquarion and his classmates. Their ISAT scores won't be announced until next school year.