Andrea Rediske is perplexed. After the death of her son Ethan, she thought the Florida legislature would pass a law named in his honor as “Ethan’s Law” to allow local school officials to grant waivers so that children like Ethan, in medical emergency, would not be required to take the state test.
Then Pam Stewart, the state commissioner, accused Andrea of trying to advance her “political agenda,” (Stewart didn’t say what that agenda might be other than to protect children like Ethan from being harassed by bureaucrats like Stewart). Then the legislature quietly dropped Ethan’s Law and added a few sentences in a general accountability bill that would a hire e the same purpose.
But trouble ahead! The U.S. Department of Education weighs in to warn Florida that if it dares to excuse more than 1% of students with disabilities,the state would not be in compliance with federal law.
So the Federal officials have joined forces with those that believe poor Ethan should have been tested as he lay dying.
What kind of a country is this? Who are these people?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
USDE
Unilateral, Standardized Deform of Education
Who are these people? Insane criminals in charge.
LikeLike
FedNet in Florida is NOT a governmental organization. It is a paid consulting company run by two people. “Ethica” is window dressing. Here is a link to their own site which is NOT to be confused with other FedNet organizations of the same name minus the “Ethica” blather. http://www.ethicallc.com/about_us
LikeLike
You are right. Here is the pitch to get money for helping districts with ESEA paperwork. Who are the experts behind Ethica/Fed Net?
Ethica is run by Drs. Cheryl L. Sattler and John H. Lockwood. Cheryl has 20 years’ experience in Federal education policy and practice, specializing in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. John has 20 years’ experience in education research and technical assistance, including school audits and school improvement. Both are experienced program evaluators.
Here is the clincer on money grabbing
How much does it cost? Fees are based on the number of low-income children in a school district, resulting in a sliding scale, as follows:
If your district enrolls
Under 1,000 low-income children Annual dues would be $6,000
1,000-3,499 low-income children Annual dues $8,000
3,500 – 17,999 low-income children Annual dues $10,000
18,000-59,999 low-income children Annual dues $15,000
60,000+ low-income children Annual dues $20,000
Unethical is a better term. Some number cruncher should have a go at disclosing more detail in this business model, per pupil charges, plus the market potential in Florida for the number of districts that meet these thresholds of low income children.
LikeLike
They are the centralized govt. As education moves further away from the parents, teachers and local communities what do you expect?? THis is the nature of the beast.
Abolish the US DOE and start supporting the 10th Amend. Otherwise we will have to continue to fight, beg and plead with our masters for our crumbs
LikeLike
You are so right! Let’s abolish the US DoE. Since its inception, all it has done is create education-damaging policies. The main goal of the US DoE has been to support and uphold the policies of the “deformers” and the multi-billion $$$ test-making corporation$.
LikeLike
Yes, they’ve installed a dictator who has bullied America. He works for a few wealthy people and not the people.
LikeLike
Now that USDoE is doing the bidding of the oligarchs its demise is highly unlikely because both parties want to see private enterprise take the place of government… There was a time when the pro-business Republicans wanted to see USDoE end because it was advancing an agenda of equality of opportunity that the Democrats supported… those days are over…
LikeLike
Go home, Arne and stop being a bully. You spout insanity.
LikeLike
These people are not insane. They are evil. They like hurting children. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t try to turn it all into a reality show.
LikeLike
Tell the parents to opt their kids out. It is their right, and it is none of the governments business,
LikeLike
These sick, clueless people within DOE and Flordia state legislature should be cursed. They will have no respect.
LikeLike
They are Rich and Powerful and always expect to get their way no matter the cost! They will continue to use their wealth and power until they have total control unless other billionaires see their own wealth and power being threatened by this anti-democratic behavior. The question is when will the Soros families of this nation see this behavior as threatening to their own interests? Maybe never!
LikeLike
I experienced the same incredibly callous thinking with one of my students during my tenure as a SPED director for a large cooperative school district in NH. The student, age 9, was in the last stages of a degenerative condition (basically lay in a coma). The school he attended was part of a wonderful pediatric facility for medically fragile children. Staff were (and still are) required to administer the alternative yearly testing as mandated by the state. For months his teacher had to collect data and report on his progress. This data was sent to the state for inclusion in the student’s home school profile. I am happy to report his condition did not negatively impact his school’s overall rating as he was found “proficient” in math and reading skills. The student however never received the good news, he died a few months prior to the release of the information.
.
LikeLike
Why 1% in the first place? The arbitrariness of these guidelines is breath-taking. It’s a parallel to all children will read proficiently in third grade. It’s dumb.
LikeLike
the inherent cruelty is numbing
LikeLike
Infuriating. Politicians can’t even protect the weakest and most innocent of us. Absolutely dispicable. Cowardly spineless weasels.
LikeLike