I am writing you in regards to concern I have on “No Child left Behind,” and the effects it has had on my sister and family.

My sister has a number of disabilities which affect her learning capabilities. My sister realizes she’s different in many other ways than others. These differences really start to show three to four days before the statewide Maine Educational Assessment testing.

She becomes anxious, frustrated, and calls herself names, as she knows the testing is getting closer and knows she can’t take the test as a normal child would be able to. This has a great effect on her and our family.

The week of the actual testing is probably one of the worst weeks for my sister and family. The testing requires everyone to stay in one room for two hours or more, each day. It is difficult for a child without disabilities to remain quiet for two or more hours at a time, let alone asking a child with disabilities to do the same.

My sister will never be at a level where the statewide MEA testing will have any kind of impact on her life. I feel it is unfair to put my sister, or any other child with disabilities, in this position where they are made to take this test.

I feel strongly that school and the state need to re-evaluate the impact MEAs have on children with disabilities.

Marissa Anne Caskin, Litchfield