"When I first began teaching, I arrived with the intent to change the entire world and to help each child in it, no matter what the cost (think educational mercenary). It is my strong belief that every child should receive the opportunity to meet goals and be successful.

"My school is in a rural area and is predominantly minority. It is a daunting task to inspire children who have a diminished capacity for envisioning hope. My colleagues and I work tirelessly to prepare our children for the vast (and sometimes unforgiving) world, so even though they are at a socioeconomic disadvantage, they will at least have the academic advantage that their peers have.

"Before NCLB, I was able to meet my standards and teach the things that would inspire my students to marvel at the wonders that science offers. I could spend time sharing with them cutting-edge information and introducing them to various scientific careers. I once was able to insert supplementary information about forensic science (students are inspired to enter this field because of the popularity of the CSI television program).

"Now, I am pressed to teach and re-teach only the content that will be tested and save the 'fluff' for last (if at all). For the past few years, our school has been rated unsatisfactory because of failure to meet adequate yearly progress. This year it was due to decreasing enrollment. Never mind that there was a slight improvement in test scores. Imagine the shame these children feel when their school is labeled as inadequate, when they are fully aware that their teachers are competent and highly qualified.

"I have had to field questions ranging from, 'When I graduate, is my diploma going to be valid?' to 'Are they going to take over our schools?'

"What are we supposed to do about attendance when NCLB tells my children and their families that they have the right to transfer to another school because our school is rated unsatisfactory (we are the only high school in the county and the majority of families do not have the transportation resources to send the students to schools out of the district)? Are we expected to block students from leaving our school because 'hey, we need the numbers to qualify for AYP'?

"When I graduated from high school in 1993, I believed that anything was possible and that the world was mine to conquer. My students don't have that same optimism. Each day, I face children who have had enough of failure and defeat. They feel that their only option is to leave and either enter into the world of work, or just go home and do nothing with their lives.

"My mission to help students will only end with my departure from this earth. The one thing that I request is support in making this system great for all children. NCLB is leaving children behind, along with those young educational professionals who see no improvement on the horizon. Perhaps instead of No Child Left Behind, it should have been called No Teacher Left Standing because ultimately this is what will occur if the law remains unchanged."

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