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I personally don't see a whole lot wrong with some standardized tests. I don't think it is wrong to say, "An 8th grade student should have this level of knowledge in math, science, reading, writing etc and be able to preform it at a certain level." To me this is just a base for education. Beyond that it is up to individuals to decide for themselves what their passions are and if they want to pursue them.
The funny thing is for every person who says that the school system should be nurturing individuality and helping people discover their own lives there is someone that says doing that is just preparing the kids to fail. The reality is this: most people will not be famous. Most people will never be pro athletes, singers, actors, writers, artists etc. Maybe 2% of any school class might achieve that. Everyone else just won't. It has some to do with talent, some to do with drive and a lot to do with luck and perseverance. Most people will end up working a 40 hour a week job and with any luck it will be a job that they like or at least don't hate.
Society is like a colony of bees. Most people end up being worker bees. That is just how it is. It is up to the individual bee to change his path. It is not up to society to urge him that direction.
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