"I have been a teacher for the past 10 years and have witnessed what I consider to be a serious decline in the quality of education due to the ESEA. Students are being asked to do more at a younger age than ever before. I started teaching sixth grade and now teach third grade. My third graders are now being asked to perform tasks once asked of the sixth graders. Is this reasonable or ethical? I think not. In addition, students are tested almost more than they are taught. Does this make sense? Absolutely not!

"In the 10 years that I have been teaching in my district, the number of students living in poverty has risen dramatically. This makes it more difficult for them to learn, as they are just trying to survive. However, the ESEA does not take this into account when it comes to what is expected of them. In addition, we have seen a dramatic increase in English language learners in our classrooms. These students are expected to reach the same standards as those who have always lived in the United States, with all of the opportunities that includes.

"My little third graders, who want to do their best and please their teacher, are crushed when they do not pass the test. Although I try to assure them that I only expect them to do their best, they don't understand why they cannot pass when the others do. It is so sad to me that rather than praising all that these students have accomplished and learned, the ESEA simply measures them on the benchmark standards. Not only that, but they are counted in several areas when it comes to the AYP reports. This is crazy!

"I am an educator and want to be able to teach my wonderful, hard-working students. They want to learn to be creative, intelligent, contributing members of our society. ESEA is getting in our way!"

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