It is a big game. Too much importance is placed to TAAS - schools are turning against each other and teachers against teachers. Schools with a large percentage of minorities are at a disadvantage. Not all students are tested, which can boost their test scores. The answers should not be at the schools for the TAAS test, all tests should be sent off for grading.
Some schools cheat to reach the high goal of high scores.
The media should not get involved in releasing data information. They do not take into account that no two schools or districts are the same. Consequently, the scores vary from school to school, district to district. Testing should be done during the first part of the school year and re-tested at the end of the school year to see if the students have achieved their goals. This could be a good tool to use.