I don't think I even briefly mentioned the testing that GWB did in Texas. When I suggest accountability, the first test I'd want to give would be to the teachers themselves. Weed out those who can't pass a test on the subjects they teach (which would be quite a percentage in some schools), and start bringing a more qualified pool of candidates for teaching positions by offering more competitive wages. THAT is where money will make the biggest difference. Not in buying new books or constructing new buildings, but in having motivated, intelligent people join the teaching ranks because they choose to, and because they can make more money teaching than being an engineer, accountant, etc. If you're a teacher reading this thread, please don't take this post as a universal indictment of the profession: I know that the majority of teachers are qualified to hold their positions, but it only takes a few weak links to erode a student's knowledge base severely.