Man walks hundreds of miles, calls for education reform - Your4State.com

Man walks hundreds of miles, calls for education reform - Your4State.com:

Man walks hundreds of miles, calls for education reform

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. – A Connecticut professor pushing for change in education, made a stop in Frederick County, Md. while embarking on a 400 mile walking journey to Washington, D.C.

“The educational policy of this nation is abusive,” said Jesse Turner, who is referred to as “the walking man.” “The testing is abusive, the curriculum that they're forcing upon kids is abusive and the common core is abusive.”

Turner, who has a background in civil rights work, averages about 10 miles a day, usually in the morning when the weather is still cool. 

Turner set out on a similar journey in 2010, but said very few people paid attention. 

“In 2015, people are paying attention,” Turner said. “Parents and students are coming out to show their support.”

Turner’s voyage, which spans five states, is a grass roots campaign aimed to bring awareness to what he refers to as “testing abuse.” 

Turner’s trip to Mt. Airy, Md., was not on the original agenda for his trip. However, he made the stop to meet with a Frederick County family that has fought for education reform at the local level for more than two years. 

“Why are we harassing kids like Ben and making them take state mandated tests?” Turner asked. “Shouldn’t we be making his life as comfortable and meaningful as possible?”

Ben Rose, who is a 10-years-old, has cerebral palsy and is considered non-verbal. While his disability limits his cognitive skills, Rose’s mother said school policy requires him to take tests that he does not understand. 

“He doesn't know his name. He couldn't pick out his name on a piece of paper, but they want him to explain complex ideas,” Rose said. “He's tested for his age not his ability.”

Rose added that he operates at the level of an 18-month-old. 

Rose has been fighting to deny testing on behalf of her son, who can not speak for himself, for the last two and a half Man walks hundreds of miles, calls for education reform - Your4State.com: