The problem seems to be how the teachers are treating them. There isn't meant to be a pass or fail as far as the children are concerned. It is just meant to assess how well they're doing and what they still need to do. In the '60s and '70s you were tested or assessed(not talking about 11+ grammar school) at various points. The problem was that there was no uniform standard. At secondary school we were given assessment grades each 3 weeks and they were read out in class.
