Janey (typical), described by her teachers as very eager to learn, looks like she understands everything and frequently raises her hand in class. However, Janey has difficulty organizing her thoughts on paper and demonstrating what she knows. Her teachers say she looks like she understands the concepts, but when they examine her work closely, she does not seem to have a strong understanding. Because Janey is a quiet, cooperative girl, her teachers worry that she is sometimes overlooked.

Peter (at-risk), described by his teachers as a student who really needs to be challenged, comes from a family that is very well-read, providing him with many learning opportunities. Peter asks unique questions in science and will go to the Internet or anywhere to find the answers. Peter's teachers worry that he is, or will soon become, bored.

Thomas (IEP), described by his teachers as very curious, is a student who pursues topics that interest him with great motivation and perseverance. Thomas struggles with confidence in himself as a learner and displays a great deal of anxiety when presented with new tasks. He finds writing very difficult, and last year refused to write at all. His IEP states that he has a learning disability, and he takes Ritalin. There is a difference in his reading level (fifth grade) and his spelling level (third grade). Thomas also struggles with math.