Thanks for the post. I think more and more teachers recognize that "teaching to the standardized test" curbs learning and free thinking. Unfortunately, administrators and bureaucrats who dole out money to schools based on school performance on those tests do not want to admit the problem. Real lessons in self-government (civics) and how our country is supposed to work have all but disappeared from public school curriculums. So, it's up to teachers like you to squeeze it in where and when you can. And I appreciate that effort. Mac McKerral