By Paul Tough
_So Smart But..._ examines America's education system and argues that current methods of standardized testing fail to truly capture a student's potential and ability to succeed
Tough bases this on research which suggests, among other things, a "fixed" intelligence is outdated theory and that a number of traits -- including persistence, resilience, curiosity, grit -- are a stronger indicator of future sucess than conventional testing
Tough profiles three schools around the United States: a charter school in Florida run by Teach for America veterans; an academically advanced school in Colorado and an alternative elementary school in the South Bronx (where only seven of seven hundred seventh graders have ever taken an accelerated test in math in the school's history) in order to understand the reasons of success (or struggle) within different learning environmets
_So Smart But..._ argues for the benefits of noncognitive skills for academic performance and ultimate life accomplishment