Without "teaching to the test", the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, trying to teach any other subject will be futile. How can Jane and Jonny read the display charts showing proper condom usage if he can't read? How can Jonny learn how many dime bags are in an ounce if he can't do math? The basics are essential to all other lessons.
NCLB is a prime example of the boon-doggles that result from bipartisan efforts. Bush should have rolled this proposal up and beat Ted Kennedy with it.
If you want to see how "dumbed-down" our education system has become, go to www.warroom.com (Quinn & Rose's site) and you'll find the test required to graduate from the 8th grade in the mid 1920's. I'll be amazed if anyone gets a 75% on it. It's easy to meet standards if you keep lowering them in the name of diversity, esteem-building, etc. They just dumbed-down the SAT again.