TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR AND THE COMMISSIONER OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CHANGE THE STATE'S POLICY RELATED TO THE FCAT AND SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED AND HOMEBOUND FIGHTING ILLNESSES AND DISORDERS SO THAT THESE SCHOOLS ARE NOT AT RISK OF CLOSING BECAUSE OF FCAT SCORES

BODY
WHEREAS, the Merrick Education Center (�Merrick �) is a school dedicated to this community's most medically- and cognitively-challenged students, including students fighting cancer, cerebral palsy, brain injuries and psychological disorders; and
WHEREAS, Merrick provides students in Kindergarten through 12th grade the opportunity to continue their education despite the hardships they are facing by providing specially-designed programs that address students' unique challenges with instruction at the school site and in students' homes and hospital rooms; and
WHEREAS, like other students across the state, students at Merrick are required to take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (�FCAT�); and
WHEREAS, Merrick students taking the FCAT present unique challenges as teachers must sometimes bring the FCAT to homes and hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Merrick received grades of F on the FCAT in 2005, 2007 and most recently in 2009; and
WHEREAS, multiple failing grades put Merrick at risk of the state stepping in or shutting down the school; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Education recently announced that it would not close Merrick, but would give it a grade of incomplete until the state reviews its policies on school grades for schools targeted at hospitalized and homebound students; and
WHEREAS, given the unique and important role Merrick plays in the lives of children who are already facing significant challenges, the state should change its policy toward Merrick and schools like it around the state, and not allow such schools to be at risk of closing based on FCAT scores,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature, the Governor and the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education to change the state�s policy related to the FCAT and schools for children hospitalized or homebound fighting illnesses and disorders so that these schools are not at risk of closing because of FCAT scores.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the MiamiDade County State Legislative Delegation and the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs that the 2009 and 2010 State Legislative Packages be amended to include this item.