"I am both a teacher and a parent. I teach high-school science and have been dismayed by the low skill levels of my incoming students. With the emphasis placed on math and reading throughout the lower grade levels, other curricular areas are being ignored. My older daughter, who is in the fourth grade, studied science for only six weeks of the school year. My younger daughter, in second grade, studied science for eight weeks, but not much of the curricula was truly science.

"While math and reading skills are vitally important, other skills are equally important to ensure the development of multi-skilled individuals. In order for the United States to remain competitive in the global economy, we must teach more science and attract more students to science.

"Please consider how the NCLB's unfunded mandates are negatively affecting the next generation of Americans—and make the necessary changes to ensure a full education for all."

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