"In Windward, we call NCLB the No School Left Standing law. Teachers aren't teaching children to love learning anymore; they're told to prepare the students to pass the NCLB tests to show that the schools are improving. Hmmm, teach Shakespeare …or how to write an answer that will make the test-graders happy?

"Teachers are told to show that they don't need the money to improve student achievement, then they'll get the money. If teachers need the money, they must pull it out of their already skinny wallets.

"What do they need money for? Well, since the schools don't have enough money to buy both school furniture and textbooks, they have to make decisions: do the students have material or sit on the floor? Teachers provide resources like worksheets, videos, raw materials for projects, and other items to help students learn and enjoy learning.

"Teachers are also asked to develop unit plans and curricula to match the state's standards, which are supposed to bring Hawaii in line with the rest of the nation. Well, when are we supposed to do it? If the state develops the standards, shouldn't they develop the curricula to meet them?

"And, while teachers shoulder the burden of responsibility for preparing the students, where is student responsibility? Where is parent responsibility?

"Please either kill the No School Left Standing law, or make it more realistic. Let the teachers focus on what they love to do and do best: teach."

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