"The NCLB act and the concomitant high-stakes testing has affected everything we do in the classroom. In particular, our students who have special needs are negatively impacted emotionally by this type of testing. Many cannot measure up when tested with a one-size-fits-all model. The pressures before, during, and after testing are immense and are beyond what any adult would accept in the workplace. Yet we put children through this and do not allow them a way to show their learning and progress.

"Over the years since state standards and the high-stakes testing were imposed, many negative effects have become apparent. In particular, I have seen a change from an approach that is progressive and child-centered to one that is regressive and driven by high-stakes. This is so detrimental to the education of children.

"It drives away the natural excitement and curiosity of children. It sends a message to children, parents, and teachers that a score on a test is the goal of education. It makes the children feel defined by that test score."

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