The no child left behind policy was intended to ensure that kids got extra help when needed. In reality schools determined it was way easier to lower the bar than to get some kids to learn. Kids and shitty parents have figured this out and will game the system as much as possible. Clear on it being a baby bush policy. FWIW I think the intent was good, but making more demands of the education without providing additional resources and no way of enforcing quality has reached an inevitable point.