What's wrong with having a clearly articulated set of standards? That doesn't mean everyone should be expected to reach the same level.
22B the problem, I think, is that we loathe the idea of creating standards and then suggesting that not everyone will be able to meet them.
It's okay to have instruments like rulers and scales to measure height and weight. You just want to have them callibrated well. That in no way implies that everyone is expected to be the same height and weight.
It's good to have a clearly articulated set of standards. You can use it to say whether a person has mastered a certain level of algebra. You can use it to say whether a person is ready for calculus.
I'm all for tracking and vocational training. I don't see how having a set of standards contradicts any of that.
