Parents want validation of the quality of education their children are receiving, but education is complex, non-linear, and to a great extent unquantifiable. This article discusses two current trends that are said to be indicative of educational quality: standardized tests and school rankings. This author argues that while standardized tests may be useful for sorting and ranking students, they are inadequate in assessing student learning and development. Instruments used to measure the quality of schools should be as varied as educational processes and results. (Contains 15 notes.)