What you are saying about tests is very valid, but what other way is there to instill accountability? A market system like vouchers would be very effective... whereever competition exists, quality will improve as administrators will HAVE to insist on quality and get rid of underperforming teachers, or risk their school going "out of business" due to no "customers" wanting their product. Geography-based monopolies with no competition or incentives creates results comparable to those of communist nations.
Unfortunately, the teachers' unions basically own the democratic party, so we'll never see it.
With regard to "no child left behind" ideas, we as a society must insist that our children leave school with some marketable skills so they can contribute to the economy. Not everyone has the aptitude for university, but we have to do something with these kids, otherwise they'll end up on the public dole or committing crimes or both. In the old days these dullards could find jobs in factories. Those jobs don't exist anymore, so we have to prepare them to do something that contributes to economic growth, or we're gonna be in a world of shit in a few decades.
