"No Child Left Behind": All Dropouts Left Behind

I'm sure George Dubya Bush's so-called "No Child Left Behind" had the best of intentions. All 50 states are required to have students having certain minimal standards of excellence in certain subjects in order for them to graduate into 'the real world' or into college or other forms of higher education. Unfortunately, Standardized Testing, in many cases has the opposite of the intended effect.
In Massachusetts, for instance, the MCAS test or Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Test was instituted in the last ten years. First, I believe the test was required of all students of late Middle School or early High School years. At first the test was required, but passing it was not required in order to graduate from High School. Gradually though, the test was given in the late Middle School years and a different version was given in 10th grade. This time, passing the MCAS exam was required in order to be able to graduate two years later. First, it was mandatory to pass an English exam. Then, a math exam was added and soon passing that was also mandatory in order to graduate. In the near future, passing a Science exam will also be required in order to graduate from Public Schools. Public School has gotten much tougher, and the powers that be have managed to take all the fun out of learning.
For most students, passing rigorous exams will make them more prepared for working, future careers or college, except that teachers have no choice but to notoriously 'teach to the test'. Art, music, phys. ed. and other kinds of learning now get short shrift in public schools, except for certain varsity sports. On the other hand, students with disabilities and less-motivated students are unable to graduate in many cases if they are incapable of passing the MCAS or similar Standardized tests. A lot of students have dropped out of school in frustration over these Standardized tests. If these students are not accommodated or given the help they need to pass such exams and later graduate, they may leave frustrating, unfulfilled lives with few or no prospects, work low-paying dead-end jobs, or even turn to crime. No Child Left behind indeed!