TO:  Bill Rodawalt
     In reply to:

There is actually a well known phenomena in test scores. . . .

Bill, it's not the kids, it's the teachers.  The teachers get used to the tests and begin to focus on the specific questions (to the exclusion of all else).  Look what happened in Texas. Prior to Bush becoming President, he was in charge of the testing and test management.  He completely rewrote the tests, but in a very unusual move, he gave the tests out to the teachers so they The teachers) naturally restructured their classroom teaching to match the questions and 'bingo,' the kids did great.  The kids were not smarter (actually the SAT & ACT test scores showed they were dumber) but man did they do well on the State run tests (LOL).  If you want 'smarter' kids, one factor runs head and shoulders above all the rest.  "You get the parents involved in their kid's educational process!" If they are not involved, the teachers are fighting a HUGE uphill battle - and losing - SIGH!!!