That's probably generally true in the suburban areas. BUT - and it's a big but - I don't think that's generally true in the urban areas. The level of incompetence and disinterest that's exhibited by a great many of our teachers in the big-city districts, is really quite astonishing.
As far as testing goes, it's really the only objective means to dole out federal money. And yes, I understand you don't want to dole out federal money. Neither do I. But, that's the practical reality we're in. School districts, especially in the urban areas are HIGHLY dependent on federal monies to keep them going. If they're going to continue to suckle on the public teat - at they will - I'd much rather have some idea how effective they are, even if that measuring mechanism is less than ideal.
I agree with Olddeckhand - I live outside of Houston and the news stories about theft, drugs, illegal activity in the ranks of the HISD teaching staff is unreal. I have experience with both public schools and homeschooling and have to say when a school has a strong Principal, it is usually a well run decent school - but you get someone with an entitlement mentality in charge and the place is run like a zoo....