Zephyr Teachout Robocall Urges Parents To Opt Children Out Of Standardized Tests

From Ken Lovett at the Daily News:

ALBANY — Fordham Law School professor Zephyr Teachout urged parents on Sunday to refuse to have their kids take the controversial statewide assessment exams slated for this week.

Saying “high-stakes testing is really hurting our kids,” Teachout — who last year mounted an unsuccessful Democratic primary challenge against Gov. Cuomo — told parents in a recorded phone message that they have a “constitutional right” to refuse the tests for their kids without facing sanctions.

She said New Yorkers overwhelmingly oppose the tests, which she claimed are designed to ensure that 70% of kids fail.

The call was sponsored by a coalition calling itself New York State Allies For Public Education.

This is the biggest education-related robocall since Randi Weingarten recorded one for Governor Cuomo's bank lobbyist running mate/charter school shill Kathy Hochul.

Note once again that parents have the "constitutional right" to refuse the test for their kids without facing consequences.

Because the supporters of the Endless Testing regime are trying to get parents to believe otherwise.

Bob Bennett: Opting Out Of The State Tests Is "Breaking The Law"

And we have the winner of the "Shrillest Push Back On The Opt Out Movement Contest" - it's former member of the Board of Regents, Bob Bennett:

New York state uses the results of the annual assessments to gauge the performance of students and teachers. And if enough of their students opt out of the tests, teachers are evaluated based on their local system.

...

Education leaders say approaches like that will backfire in the immediate future, harming teachers.

“They’re breaking the law,” said Bob Bennett, a former member of the New York State Board of Regents. “And so I don’t know how much clearer to make it. This is absolutely absurd to see adults behaving to advance a political cause because they don’t like the teacher evaluation law.”

Bennett, who got whacked off the Board of Regents this year, is wrong that opting out of the state tests is "breaking the law."

You can find resources and information about parents' rights in opting their children out of the Common Core tests at the NYS Allies For Public Education website.

But here's an excellent summary:




I've been wondering how shrill the push back over opt out would get, what with Regents Chancellor Tisch, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor Cuomo and newspaper editorial boards weighing in on why they are opposed to parents opting their children out of the state tests but so far, Bennett wins for shrillest.

Congratulations, Bob - enjoy your retirement.