Clips/ News Article

MCAS Unfair to Special Education
By Richard Trombly | The Berkshire Beacon : March 2000

"The MCAS presents a special concern for the special needs community," said Debbie Byrd, a special needs parent and Coalition for Authentic Reform in Education (C.A.R.E.) activist. "Our children's self esteem is essential."

She said that the test is unfair to special education students.

"They knew that these kids would fail," she said, "They work just as hard and yet 85 percent of special needs students failed. In Texas, where there is a similar test, they are exempt. "

"They are not even allowing aides to assist," she said, "and they allow them in med school or on the bar exam."

"Treating special education students without accommodation violates the law," said Pixie Holbrook, a special needs mother and special education teacher. "Disabled people are required by law ' to have equal access, but the MCAS is discriminatory."

"I am a special education student. I know the MCAS isn't fair," said Crystal Maldonado, a 13 year old in the seventh grade at Holyoke's Lynch -Middle School. "The vocabulary is hard, especially for minorities and tests are scary for many special education students."

The Northampton chapter of C.A.R.E. is investigating the MCAS as a human rights violation for discriminating on the basis of race, linguistic heritage and disability.

"I have been protecting the rights of disabled students for 30 years and I won't let the MCAS stop me," said Holbrook.

"I hope to get more parents involved," said Byrd. "We need to reach a broader audience about this."