Opt-Out Movement Grows

Walcott says he's not concerned about parents opting their kids out of the state tests this year.

But NY1 says the NYCDOE and the NYSED are very concerned about this - so much so that NYSED Commissioner John King is saying that parents do not have a right to opt their children out of the state tests:

When elementary and middle school kids are given the new, more difficult state tests next week, officials expect some students will refuse to pick up their number 2 pencils.

It's a boycott planned by parents, who say they are frustrated with standardized tests and test prep.
"We want to stop high-stakes testing," said one parent.

The parents call it "opting out," and for the past few years, a small number of families have participated, either telling schools not to give the tests to their children or keeping kids home during test time. The city says just over 100 students "opted out" last year.

"It's on my radar screen, but I'm not concerned," said Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott.

But it seems the city and state actually are more concerned this year. Both agencies released documents this week addressing the "opt out" issue, and the New York State School Board Association sent school districts legal advice, calling it "The Opt-Out Movement" and saying "School districts in New York are likely to face an increasing number of requests" this year.

Are parents allowed to opt out of state exams? Officials say there is nothing in state law or policy that lets parents make that decision.

"The assessments are a required part of the academic program, just like science class or math class," said State Education Commissioner John King.

The state says schools are required to give students the tests, even if they bring a letter from their parents asking it not to.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew disagrees with King's assessment of the opt-out option for parents:

But Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, said educators will respect the parents' choices.

"They are the parent. It is their child," Mulgrew said. "Let's be clear here. It's their child. We can't say, 'We're going to make your kid take a test if you don't want your child to take a test.' We do not have that right. And that's why this is a serious situation, and I hope the Department of Education is putting together plans for dealing with it."

NY Stop Testing reports that despite the NYSED's statement that there is no "opting out" of state tests, parents can "refuse" to have their children take the tests:

As a result of this communication, parents across New York State brainstormed NYSED regulations and parental rights and created a "refusal" letter. This letter has produced positive results across New York State as districts are respecting our right to refuse.  The letter has brought forth another NYSED communication that repeats there is no "opt out" provision, but goes on to state the students may "refuse".  Some districts want students to actually sit and refuse.  Ask your district to allow your child read as per the NYS Testing Program Educator Guide to the 2013 Common Core (page 9) that permits a student to read silently while others finish their assessments.  Other schools are allowing students to go to a separate location to read, help younger classes, or complete actual school work once they "refuse the test".

So what should parents do?

• Boycott by "refusal".  Write a letter to your child's principal, state your reasons for refusal, and request that your child be allowed to read as per the NYS Testing Program Educator Guide to the 2013 Common Core.  Use our example refusal letter as a guide.  
• Remember that "boycotting" state assessments is new to many administrators.  Education policy is very complex and it is impossible to know all of the details. We are finding that various districts are providing different answers to parents across the state.
• Understand the difficult situation for school administration, be respectful, but firm. Schools are under much pressure from Albany to comply with regulations that hurt our children. Be aware of this when you communicate with school officials.
• Know your facts.  The following communication was passed my way.  It contains misleading information and statements that contradict NYSED communications.  Again, this could be a situation where this principal is unaware of all regulations.

"The only way a child would be marked as "not tested" is if the child was absent for the entire 2 weeks of school (testing and makeup period)"- This is not accurate.  Your child may refuse the test and not be compelled to make up the test. Your child does not need to be absent for 12 school days.

"the absences would be marked as "illegal" absences (and cause for educational neglect)" - This remark is troubling.  Students are marked out for "illegal absences" for vacation days with no punishment. "Educational neglect" is for serious cases of truancy and would not apply to being absent from a state test.  Bottom line is that your child should attend school and refuse the test.  School administration should respect the parent's right to "refuse" on behalf of their child.

If you feel your child cannot sit through the entire test period refusing, pull your child after the exam starts.  Several opt outers did this last year.  After the assessment timeframe ended we brought our kids back to school.  Most schools schedule the assessments in the morning, find out the exact time by contacting a teacher or school personnel.

Fight on!  Our children's education is on the line.  The amount of mandated standardized testing will increase dramatically in the future as the PARCC assessments are added to SLO, RTI, benchmark and State Assessments.  

We cannot wait for common sense to prevail.

Our dearly beloved NYSED Commissioner, formerly of the Uncommon Schools charter network famous for its authoritarian rules, clearly sees himself as a dictator with absolute power to rule over the state's schools, teachers, parents, and students.

But he does not have this power, no matter what he or his authoritarian boss, Andrew Cuomo think.

It's wonderful to see this opt-out movement growing and it's wonderful to see King and Walcott and the rest of the education corporatists so threatened by it that they feel the need to issue threats against parents and students.

That means they're worried about this movement.

And they must really be worried that the movement is going to grow even bigger after the PARCC tests all the year round in every subject in every grade get implemented.