In this article, the author talks about the Shays-Farrell race as one of three closely watched contests in Connecticut that could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the midterm elections November 7. U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, a Republican, and Diane Farrell, a Democratic, are the candidates for the state's 4th Congressional District seat, who have very different ideas on what approach Congress should take to close the achievement gap between schools like the one in industrial, urban Bridgeport, and those in the wealthy, woodsy suburban towns that dominate much of the district. The Shays-Farrell race is considered one of the few races nationwide in which the efficacy of the federal No Child Left Behind Act is getting more than passing mention, and where the Republican and Democratic candidates have staked out significantly differing positions.