Standard-Based Education: Two Misconceptions

As the education community moves inexorably toward "standards based education" I would like to address two common misconceptions. The first is that SBE removes student motivation. Some students may exceed the standard, but why bother when attaining the minimum will do to pass and ultimately graduate?"
As you are aware, currently a grade of C or in some cases D will meet the minimum requirements for passing; yet many give more effort and attain higher grades. Why do they bother when attaining a D orC will move them to graduation?
Under SBE the D and C are no more. You may attain a 1 (failure to demonstrate any mastery), 2 (better, but still no cigar), 3 (SBE's equivalent of a B and the new minimum acceptable demonstration needed before moving on), 4 (demonstrates mastery of the subject matter both in theory and application.
It is also being claimed by some that standards-based education suppresses teacher innovation and integrity because focus is forced to shift from education to meeting the standard.
I suppose teaching to the test (current practice) or still worse, moving a student along for purely social reasons invigorates and propels educators to innovate and excel in their profession?
Without a doubt Standards Based Education (an unfortunate use of the word standard in the title in that it conjures up mediocrity) is a work in progress with many kinks and slippery spots. With the help of teachers and administrators applying innovation and corrective maneuvers--over time--SBE at least shows potential, whereas the industrial model now in place has grown weary, stale, ineffective and hampers student's innate learning abilities.
The standards group, as some call it, being made up of teachers and other education professionals, has and continues to work long and hard across the spectrum of concerns and how standards influences teaching and learning. They are faithfully fulfilling their responsibility as educators. 
By the way; responsibility should never be confused with what seems to be an overused word these days: "Accountability". Making educators too accountable to too many absolves them of responsibility. In Finland, a country boasting one of the best educational systems in the world, teachers and administrators are entrusted with the responsibility of educating. There is no word in the Finnish language for "accountability".