Ethan's Story. Commentary on high stakes test obsession.

[madfloridian]

The story is from 2013. It was told so well by the Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell.

Florida's test-obsessed style of education hits disabled families hard

Just teaching Ethan to say "yes" or "no" — or even keep his gaze focused — was an accomplishment.

So the idea of asking this 10-year-old to solve math equations on an FCAT test seemed ridiculous.

But this is Florida — where the standardized test is king.

So the state made Ethan take it anyway. He spent six hours over the course of two weeks being led through a test.

And then he was asked about eating a peach.

That was the question that set Andrea on fire.

Ethan, after all, can't eat peaches. Or any fruit. Or food at all.

He gets his food through a tube.

Ethan passed away in February 2014. I have not seen the video until now. I found it at the
blog of the NEA president.

Scott Maxwell heard of another child who was blind being shown pictures of animals and being asked which one was the monkey, the elephant, and so on. So he asked some questions about it. He went to the state with his questions. The response.

"These summative assessments used in Florida are one way to measure student mastery of these standards," came the email response from a spokeswoman.

Mastery of the standards?

[enlightenment]

1. It's difficult to form a response.

The insanity of this practice should only be seen in black comedy art films - not real life.

[Mnemosyne]

2. Insanity reigns so the bushes can make more profit. Makes me ill. nt

[madfloridian]

3. And Pearson....just imagine the fortune being made on testing materials.

And all done in a proprietary manner.

[Mnemosyne]

4. I have 2 grandsons, ages 13 & 5, both absolutely hate school. The oldest has quit doing

most any work at all now. The testing has made him feel like such a failure, and one of his teachers told him last year that he is "below basic". That was the end of him trying at all. Sad, he is a very smart kid.

I hate these greedy bastards that have destroyed our kids educations.

[madfloridian]

9. The testing is making many kids feel like failures.

And that is inexcusable. You are right, many will just give up rather than keep trying.

[Mnemosyne]

11. Just breaks my heart so badly to see what they are doing to the children.

[oberliner]

5. These tests are insane

The whole system is so completely messed up. It is almost to the point of self-parody.

[progressoid]

6. Jesus H.

What happened to common sense and decency?

[sakabatou]

7. Went out the window with Raygun

[Ms. Toad]

8. As a parent -

I would have said "no" and let them take me to court. Ridiculous.

(As the parent of a child who developed special needs while she was at a high pressure college, I do understand, though, that sometimes it is easier to go through whatever obstacles are thrown up than to stop, take assessment, and put your foot down. It is just so overwhelming.)

[madfloridian]

10. I can't imagine the stress on the family.

And the stupid response Maxwell got from the state. It's like students no longer are considered as individuals. This forcing all to be the same has happened relatively quickly since 2009.
It's scary how we let it happen.

[madfloridian]

12. And also the story of Michael, born with only a brain stem. They tested him also.

http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2013/4/7/florida_law_says_bli.html

ORLANDO --

Michael is 9 years old and has never attended school. He was born premature at four pounds with only a brain stem and can't speak or see.

Imagine the shock from Harris when she was told two months ago Michael would have to take a standardized assessment test, similar to the FCAT.

The Florida Department of Education said it’s called the Florida Alternate Assessment. Cheryl Etters, the spokesperson for the department, said under state law all students have to be assessed. She didn’t say what group Michael will fit in to or exactly how he will be assessed and scored.

....Both Roach and Stewart met Michael and instantly saw a problem.

“Michael can’t see, he can’t cognitively interpret that particular test and so teachers are almost being forced to move the hand into one of three boxes and then they to make the determination did he move he hand or did I move the hand. If I didn’t laugh, I’d probably cry,” said Roach.

Where's the outrage?

[LWolf]

13. It's not just Florida.

It's every state, since every state is ruled by high-stakes testing.