"I have seen the number of students enrolled in chemistry drop since the implementation of testing. I have also noticed a drop in the level of student preparedness for chemistry. My anecdotal observations were validated by what I saw on their standards-based exam results. NCLB has set the minimum performance level necessary for students to pass the high school graduation exam but has failed to maintain high standards for all students.

"While I can continue to maintain high standards in my classroom, students who have passed their graduation exam have less incentive to push themselves to excellence. NCLB is creating a generation of students who are meeting standards that were set by political considerations rather than those that are necessary for the United States to maintain its technological and scientific edge in the world. Congress needs to allow teachers to set high standards for all students on an individual basis rather than allow political considerations to set the educational agenda."

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