First, Gruwell illustrates a way of practicing innovative teaching without sacrificing standards; in other words, she meets and exceeds the standards without relinquishing the culture of disadvantaged students. She does not ignore the standards but rather teaches them to the extent that she successfully sends many of her students to college. Although much research shows that the establishment of standards harms low-income minority students and widens the achievement gap between races, Gruwell’s story proves that standards and innovative curriculum can be reconciled. Gruwell uses the standards to make her lessons stimulating and empowering. Instead of narrowing the curriculum to the standards, she broadens the curriculum to meet the
