"I have taught special education science for 20 years, and NCLB has taken the joy out of teaching my special needs students. Instead of teaching them basic science facts that would be relevant to these adolescents after graduation, I am forced to teach concepts that will be covered on the HSPA because of No Child Left Behind.

"In other words, I have to teach to the test, which forces me to bypass those very important topics that my students will need in the future in order to be productive citizens. Instead of learning about how their bodies work, they will be exposed to how the atom works. Instead of learning about consumer safety, they will have know how to identify rocks and minerals.

"I strongly believe I am wasting precious time on topics that these moderately handicapped childred will not understand nor will they use the knowledge in their lifetimes. I want to prepare them for life after school, not satisfy a political agenda!"

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