I'm sure the others didn't mean it quite as harsh as it came across. Remember...this is your first year. No one expects you to be perfect, or at least they shouldn't. We're "all" still learning and with all this new testing, believe me, we "all" have a lot to learn. Test scores aren't everything (though try to tell administration that). It's dependent on a lot of things...mostly the attitude of the students. Think of Einstein and all the genius(es) who didn't do well in school. Let's face it...some students just don't test well. I apologize for those teachers who offended you...I think a yearly class on tactfulness would do us all a world of good. Unfortunately, there is so much pressure on teachers today that it's a wonder we know how to communicate at all!