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Dying Boy’s Parents Fight Test Rule

Florida’s policies on standardized testing are forcing the family of a dying Central Florida boy to spend some of his final days wading through paperwork, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Ethan Rediske, 11, has severe brain damage and cerebral palsy, and doesn’t speak. But the special-education teacher who visits him at home is required to administer the state’s equivalent to the FCAT, unless the family formally requests an exemption.

Columnist Scott Maxwell says the family is going through the tedious process because the teacher’s pay depends on how students perform on standardized tests.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.