9-year-old Orlando boy with severe disabilities forced to take state-mandated test
Fla. rep. pushes to change law to eliminate state testing for special needs students
Published On: Apr 04 2013 04:44:15 PM EDT Updated On: Apr 04 2013 06:21:35 PM EDT
ORLANDO, Fla. -
A 9-year-old blind boy with severe disabilities is being forced to take a state-mandated test, despite his special needs, according to his guardian.
It's similar to the FCAT, but it is the FAA, or Florida Alternate Assessment, one that is used to test students with disabilities.
However, Michael's guardian Judy Harris says he is not capable of learning, much less sit through hours of testing.
"Michael, he's capable of recognizing a few people, he's capable of loving certain type of music," said Harris.
9-year-old Michael has the mentality of a 6 month-old baby. He was born prematurely with only a brain stem. He cannot speak, he cannot see, but Florida law says he can and has to take a standardized test.