The current method for determining school efficacy through the use of standardized testing is not an accurate way to evaluate public schools. The most reliable indicator of how well a student will perform on one of these tests is socioeconomic status -- which is a poor way to decide how federal money will be distributed to school districts.
Rather than focusing on standardized tests, money should be put into funding things that promote real education (such as libraries, textbooks, teacher salaries, improved school facilities).
If money is put into those efforts rather than forcing schools to be "accountable" or lose funding, the education climate will be a lot less hostile. And, with better conditions to work in, schools will be able to focus on their true purpose: to promote learning.