Many years ago I taught children witb learning disabilities ( as well as some with emotional handicaps), and I was so proud of the younger ones' ability to compute their math by using manipulatives. Sadly, when it came time to take the state standardized tests, I was told by the county office that the children wouldn't be allowed to use the manipulatives. It brought a lump to my throat to see those precious little ones trying to struggle to "do their best" with no real hope of being able to achieve their best.
The students always freaked out about the tests and one mother was so concerned that she told me she just might have to keep her child home during those days. My response was along the order of telling her that it would be a shame if the child missed the tests due to illness, but we can't always know when one will get sick. I reminded her that there would be "make-up" days scheduled and we could only hope that the child wouldn't be sick then as well. Needless to say, the poor child was absent during both the regular and the make-up days.
No test scores for that little girl. Such a shame....really, it was such a shame. 
Good luck. Don't let the system do your son more harm.
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