Hitting the high standards ceiling?

As Schrag points out, it is not surprising that the warts on NCLB are becoming increasingly clear several years into the implementation of the legislation. States with high standards, such as California, are being penalized since it is becoming ever more difficult for schools to meet the expectations of 100% proficiency in the face of tough standards. Indeed, a judge in California just issued a preliminary injunction against state barring it from using the high school exit exam to bar students from graduating. The argument was that many students were not given an adequate opportunity to learn - given their exposure to poor schools and teaching. Without equity of access to a quality education, it is argued that students should not be held to these high standards.

Schrag also points to extreme examples of the narrowing of the curriculum in many schools. Some schools went as far as teaching only math, reading, and gym. Is this what Congress intended?

Chris