21st century learning skills

This article seems very optimistic about current school system especially about the No Child Left Behind Act. I had only heard negative things about the Act. I heard that teachers are planning curriculum around the test and administrators focus on high test scores. Schools are rated on test scores. Article stated that there is a financial constraints in current school system and that will "subside", however I am doubtful. I went to read more about No Child Left Behind Act's ICT Literacy http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.435c0b5cc7bd0ae7015d9510c3921509/?vgnextoid=b8a246f1674f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD
because the article mentioned ICT Literacy and how the act requires students to be proficient in ICT Literacy by the eighth grade. Also what I heard about the Act and the tone of this article was very different.

I do agree with the point about teaching context that are relevant to student's life, bringing global issues and working in a group setting with real life situational projects.

This article have some important points about learning methods and changes required to meet the changes in working environment for 21st century but I think it was written by people who supported No Child Left Behind Act.