One wonders why Ms. Hammond's book wasn't turned into a peer reviewed doctoral dissertation. I can't find out how long she taught actual at-risk kids or where for some reason. Quite honestly, this method of teaching reminds me of the scam pedagogy sold to the citzens of River City by 'Professor' Harold Hill in The Music Man. While I taught in a public school, lots of hucksters came through during staff development slinging pie in the sky methods of teaching which were roundly ignored because they didn't work. If we want students to succeed and be productive prosperous citizens, they are going to have to do some work, and so are the teachers. What kind of instruction are the students recieving that are getting into competitive universities? I taught AP too, so I know. This ain't it, and by subjecting students to this magical feelings bullshit, they are being held back.