So, how do you make schools "better"?

Apparently, not by setting arbitrary targets and using a system of carrots and sticks to reach them.
Incentives and Test-Based Accountability in Education
Valerie Strauss discussed it back in May. The report is downloadable from the NAP site. Two sentences from the summary:

Test-based incentive programs, as designed and

implemented in the programs that have been carefully studied,

have not increased student achievement enough to bring the

United States close to the levels of the highest achieving countries.

When evaluated using relevant low-stakes tests, which

are less likely to be inflated by the incentives themselves, the

overall effects on achievement tend to be small and are effectively

zero for a number of programs.

Wonder if any of our brave leaders will take note of this report from the National Research Council? Or, will the beatings will continue till morale improves!