HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)_ Attorney General Richard Blumenthal filed an appeal in federal court Wednesday to block the federal government from imposing unreimbursed costs for the No Child Left Behind Act.

Last month, a federal judge in New Haven dismissed the last of four claims in Connecticut\'s challenge that the law is unconstitutional.

Blumenthal is asking the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York to uphold a provision of the NCLB Act that bars the federal government from imposing unreimbursed costs on towns and cities.

The appeal seeks to recover hundreds of millions of dollars.

Blumenthal said Wednesday that Connecticut towns and cities are being forced to spend illegally, without federal reimbursement, to comply with the law.

``The federal government has broken a profound promise _ and the law,\'\' Blumenthal said in a statement. ``The language of the No Child Left Behind Act is plain and clear that the federal government cannot impose unreimbursed costs on states, towns and cities.\'\'

The 2002 law requires annual standardized tests for students in grades three through eight. States must correct problems in school districts that fall short.

In April, Judge Mark Kravitz rejected the state\'s claim that alleges the U.S. Department of Education unfairly denied Connecticut\'s proposed changes to testing rules for special education and limited English proficiency students (LEP).

State officials contended Connecticut would have to use state money to meet the federal Act\'s requirements, a violation of the law\'s unfunded mandates provision. Kravitz said the state failed to make the argument that the Education Department\'s denial violated that provision.

A message seeking comment was left with the U.S. Department of Education.

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