"Because ESEA testing focuses solely on reading, math, and now science , all available time and money is spent on only these subjects. All other areas, especially the creative arts, are being cut and ignored. Students are not being given opportunities to have a well-rounded education. Employers require employees who can think outside the box. We are not preparing students for the 21st century job market. We are now only preparing our kids to pass the test, so the school doesn't lose funding.

"Because the AYP requirements are so slanted, my school was labeled a failing school. It was not because the school's population didn't pass the tests; we did, but one subgroup didn't pass one year, and a different subgroup didn't pass the next year. Both of those subgroups had fewer than 20 students in them. Our school was not failing; in reality, it was fewer than 20 students who caused the whole school to be labeled failing.

"It is this environment that fosters the belief that we only have time to teach the three subjects that will be tested on ESEA. Our students deserve better than that. Our students deserve a balanced, well-rounded, complete education. Please work with Nebraska to see this happens in the reauthorization of ESEA."

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