Take the tests, refuse the tests, will it matter to them, to me, to the schools, the teachers? The decision making process can be overwhelming for many families across the region. No one wants to make a decision that would have a negative effect on their child’s success in school. For many, the stress levels associated with these assessments seems needless especially when they are being told that it doesn’t alter their grades. Across the state and nation, the hours upon hours of test prep leave a noticible gaps in the time that would otherwise be used for enrichment, teaching the “whole child”. Children labor to do their best on tests that ultimately leave them with poor test results, sending them the message that their best just wasnt good enough. Tests developed by a company who makes tens, if not, hundreds of millions of dollars contracting these tests to districts. Then, as the low scores pile up, the same company steps in to sell the remedial curriculla to help raise the scores, making even more money. Along the way, this company wants the school districts to administer, at cost to the district, stand alone field tests, in addition to the assessments, so they can “adjust” the tests your kid just failed. Well doesn’t that sound brilliant? For the test company, that is.
Sending a message by writing to your politician might work, but unfortunately, your kids would be through high school before any action would taken. The greatest impact is, in fact, directly felt when parents and caregivers stand united to make their voice heard by sending their own “standardized” message by way of refusing to take part in this illusion. A program that as of now, does nothing to close achievement gaps, improve the quality of education overall, or address the actual challenges faced in education today.
Some points to ponder :
– IT IS YOUR RIGHT AS A PARENT TO HAVE YOUR CHILD REFUSE THE TEST
– YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL NOT LOSE FUNDING BECAUSE YOUR CHILD REFUSES TO TAKE THE TEST
– NO STUDENT WILL BE PENALIZED IF THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN CHOOSES TO HAVE THEIR CHILD REFUSE THE TEST
On March 31st of this year Assemblywomen Angela Wozniak and Catherine Nolan debated these very points. You can watch the video by clicking HERE
Some excerpts
Catherine Nolan – …There is no federal sanction that will come down…In Washington, Senator Alexander, the new chair of the Committee on Education… has been very explicit that the parents have the right to opt out. This is the United States of America, people vote with their feet, they have the right to do what they believe is in the best interest of their children…
Angela Wozniak – Will their district lose funding in that situation?
Catherine Nolan – We don’t believe that anybody will lose funding, no. We certinly don’t want that, and I think the Assembly would stand in great opposition to that if anyone tried to do that…that will not happen.
You can refuse the test, your child won’t be penalized, and the schools won’t lose money. So, does it matter? The choice is yours to do what you believe is best for your child. It goes beyond whether or not they go through this cycle of tests. Its about getting the best for your child going forward, and perhaps your child’s younger siblings and their younger cousins and relatives.
It MATTERS and maybe this will help explain it better
It matters because teachers wasted 2/3 ot the year to test prep rather than teaching your child
It Matters because once your school fails it will be taken over by some State – Private entity and you will lose any local control of your district and schools
It Matters because your taxes will be raised to pay for the takeover, to pay for more testing, for outside evaluators and not for more teachers.
It Mattersbecause your child wil not learn about music, art, and science because they needed time for test prep.
It Matters because your child will read our of necessity or force and not for the sheer enjoyment of it.
It Matters becaue there are companies making millions of dollars to fail your child.
It Matters because elected officials and private companies are pushing it through legislation without any type of public review. WHY, because it’s all about the test.
So, go ahead, refuse the test, because at the end of the day, it Matters.
Read this article State Testing Will Hurt Public Education
or this Q and A section from New York State United Teachers
www.nysut.org/testing
www.nysape.org
