Mandatory annual testing was another key point of the Bush plan. The House committee did reject a bid to kill the tests for pupils in the third through the eighth grade. Significantly, the White House was lobbying hard on the issue. And there is no requirement that tests be statewide - different districts could use different tests. This makes it all too easy for lazy, backward and undemanding district administrations to dodge comparisons.
Education remains a state responsibility, and most states are trying to improve.
Unfortunately, Uncle Sam is not going to be much help in the short run.