Reddit reviews Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools

It's a false assumption that state testing is important. International comparisons can't be made based off of state tests- you need an international test for that. International tests aren't valid because some countries don't have all students taking the exams. Exams in high school make a lot of sense, but in elementary they aren't necessary.

Standardized testing has been used to paint a picture of American schools as failures even as students are smarter than any previous generation. See this book.

"Accountability" is the buzz word that lawmakers use, but in reality 90% of teachers are working their asses off regardless of a state testing mandate. In any other industry it's normal to have some bad apples. In education, testing mandates which massively decrease creativity and learning for our kids are currently in place because of this kind of thinking (ie teachers can't be trusted to teach without accountability). All of the teachers that I've ever known really wanted to teach. Except for a few burnouts, they didn't want to just coast through their jobs. I don't think it's a profession that pays enough for people to pursue it if they aren't passionate about it.

edit: TL;DR downvoted for using the "accountability" argument.

Unfortunately, Charter Schools are their own bundle of "not really the solution" in my opinion. They funnel funds away from state schools, and aren't a guaranteed bastion of success.

This article is an interesting read on the topic, understanding that it provides only really one side of the discussion, it does bring to light many things about why Charter Schools are not the solution to it all.

I also recommend the book Reign of Error, which is written by a former Assistant Secretary of Education for the US. Her other writing is likewise well informed, but this book deals with Charter Schools specifically.