Dyslexia Research Institute Influences High Stakes Testing For Students With Disablities

Florida’s high stakes testing, the FCAT, was established to determine the success of Florida schools in teaching their students. However, students with disabilities were left out of the equation in terms of providing a level playing field as they take the tests.

Students who are visually impaired and who use talking computers and calculators in all classes and for all tests MAY NOT use them on the FCAT. They must read Braille, even though only 10% of all visually impaired have been taught Braille. Students who are dyslexic and who use readers during all other testing MUST read the FCAT by themselves.

Without the appropriate accommodations, hundreds of students with disabilities who had passed all course work were not being allowed to graduate with a standard diploma. Dyslexia Research Institute brought the inequities to the attention of Florida’s legislators. Helping to craft legislation with Senator Stephan Wise’s office and Representative Bev Kilmer’s office, a bill is being passed to address some of these inequities.

The bill is a compromise. Students with disabilities must fail the FCAT two times, without accommodations, and then have their records reviewed to determine if they have the academic levels to earn a standard diploma. While this is still not a true level playing field, it does allow students to earn a standard diploma who may not be able to pass the FCAT without accommodations.

Rest assured DRI and Dr. Hardman will be going back to the Legislature next year to attempt to bring the FCAT in compliance with ADA and to assist students with disabilities to have the same opportunities/accommodations on the FCAT that they have on all other tests.