My son has multiple learning disabilities and attends Landmark School.  He struggles mightily especially with math.  I am not sure he will ever be able to pass the math portion of MCAS.  Yet he is a very gifted artist.  I am concerned that one test will deny him the opportunity to receive a diploma and thus continue to art school to pursue his gift. If he was a privately paid student he could receive the Landmark diploma which is accepted by all universities and colleges. Landmark is currently fighting the DOE on their ruling that publicly funded students can not receive the Landmark diploma if they do not pass MCAS, even thought they have met Landmark's well established academic standards.  Why are we punishing children for the minds they are born with instead of encouraging and supporting their gifts and strengths?

 

Thank you,

Sarah L. Patton