Magical Gum

This week, my two sons are taking the AIMS test along with all the other kids their age in this find state of Arizona. I heard that next year, third graders will have to pass the AIMS test in order to move on to the fourth grade.f

I know that I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but if the teachers are grading the kids based on the student's work and they are getting a passing grade, then they child should pass on to the next grade. If the teachers and the school is doing their job and teaching the kids the way they are supposed to, then why
is the AIMS test even needed. Especially to determine if a child should pass the third grade or not. Can anyone explain this to me?

On a related point to the AIMS testing, my son in public school brought home a memo about 'Magic Gum'. It stated that buy chewing this gum, the student would remember all the information that they given in preparation for the AIMS test. My son said that his teacher gave the class a piece of gum and were to chew it for a minute or two and then spit it out and that was enough of the 'Magic Gum' to produce the desired effects.

I think that it is a stupid idea. My son really believed that by chewing the gum made him remember things. Again, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but trick on the kids and when they find this out, either on their own or in my son's case, with their parents help, they will think less of the teacher. No one likes to be tricked, especially kids. They won't understand the reasoning behind the '
Magic Gum' and feel they were lied to.

I am sure there are better ways for teachers to help the kids retain information that don't require the kids to be lied to.