"ESEA has created a situation in which my members are unable to utilize the teachable moment. Learning is part of every minute. Motivation and engagement often arise from the natural inquisitiveness or curiosity of children as they experience events in their lives. Following a set curriculum and incorporating all the standards to meet standardized tests does not support the natural learning created by experience.

"Exploring the creek, climbing a tree, walking in the city, watching the clouds, wondering why the weather changes should be everyday events. Sitting in the classroom for six hours or more is restricting.

"Teachers in our schools are monitoring how many minutes their students read, but they should be encouraging the exploration of language to convey information, emotions, culture, and more. NCLB creates mandates that cannot be met. The cost of these dictum's is less spontaneity, less laughter and joy, and highly capable individuals finding other professional outlets. NCLB's honorable intent is truly a constrictive dictum that does not address the real needs of individual students. It should promote the joy and benefits of learning, but instead it is a gray cloud that often rains on the least able students. It rains on the fiscally restrained districts. NCLB should promote equality.

"Our schools are successful with individual students because of the professional dedication of teachers who go beyond the mandates, go beyond the rules, go outside the box to find a way to keep the joy. "Leaving no child behind means we should abandon the government's iron fist and offer the open hand. Our schools care about every child."

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