In the riveting exposé "Making the Grades," Todd Farley pulls back the curtain on the standardized test industry, revealing a world far removed from the ideals of education and learning it purports to uphold. With a keen eye and a sharp wit, Farley, a seasoned insider of fifteen years, navigates the reader through the often absurd and unsettling realities that underpin the creation, scoring, and impact of these tests. From statisticians detachedly determining students' futures without so much as glancing at their test answers, to education officials manipulating scores to fit their agendas, and the behemoth testing corporations prioritizing profit over educational integrity, Farley's account is as enlightening as it is alarming. Beyond the laughable moments—such as the bizarre grading of students based on their descriptions of their favorite food—lies a critical examination of the standardized testing's stronghold on modern education, especially in the shadow of the "No Child Left Behind" era. "Making the Grades" is not just a critique but a compelling narrative that questions the very foundation upon which educational success is measured. Through Farley's personal anecdotes and investigative prowess, this book emerges as a crucial voice in the ongoing debate about educational equity, the validity of standardized testing, and the future of learning in America.