Opting out of sols

[Anonymous]

Is there any consequence to the child in terms of middle school if they opt out of fifth grade sols? Our school goes up to sixth grade so there would be an additional year. We do plan on the sixth grade SOL. We have the previous years of scores, but this year we will be opting out.

[Anonymous]

It is not opting out; it is refusal. However, there is zero consequence to grades. One thing to keep in mind is that SOLs are required in high school for graduation. In particular, certain SOLs are used for federal participation and are required even if your student has the credit (for example someone who earned math credit in middle school). If the student fails or skips that day and refuses to take it, the school can lack federal participation numbers or passing rates which will affect funding and resources for your student.

[Anonymous]

It is excellent practice at taking a test. Why do you want to opt out?

[Anonymous]

It lowers the accreditation score for the school (counts as a failure, your student’s score is reported to the state as a 0). I suppose if enough people did it the school as a whole could suffer, greatschools ratings would drop, and property values could fall, but that would take a lot of people.

For your own child? No impact. They will sit in the office and read a book while their class tests.

[Anonymous]

I think it is fine to kiss a year.

[Anonymous]

How do you do this? Just send an email?

[Anonymous]

We opted out the year schools were virtual. That was 5th grade for us. Absolutely not a big deal and no negative consequences.

[Anonymous]

I asked our private if we could opt out of the standardized testing in April. I was told they would like the child to do it but it’s not mandatory. I’d probably have to keep her home though as everyone else would be testing. She doesn’t test well.
So far we haven’t skipped though.,

[Anonymous]

Testing is very stressful for some kids. Just keep in mind that, as students progress beyond middle school and high school, and on to college and graduate school, more and more testing is mandatory and consequential, so gaining more practice with it now (when it is largely inconsequential) is arguably the time to do it. More testing practice at the MS and HS levels frequently leads to less stress and better outcomes down the road.

[Anonymous]

So to be candid with you one of the reasons I'm opting out is that there's been no information from anywhere about the integrated reading and writing test. DC has passed with flying colors both years. There has only been one math test online this year which is not enough practice. I'm just concerned that the scores will be far below The usual. I'm not blaming the school about the integrated reading and writing test, I'm not seeing any information about that anywhere. It seems unfair that these kids will be the guinea pigs for a test that Teacher statewide seem to have limited information about. Lastly we have a teacher that's new to the state and I don't believe that the science review will be enough to cover eight quarters. Maybe I'm overreacting but I just feel like with this being such a big year and the review not matching I think we will sit this one out. I do agree about test practice and we will take it next year. We've done third and fourth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So to be candid with you one of the reasons I'm opting out is that there's been no information from anywhere about the integrated reading and writing test. DC has passed with flying colors both years. There has only been one math test online this year which is not enough practice. I'm just concerned that the scores will be far below The usual. I'm not blaming the school about the integrated reading and writing test, I'm not seeing any information about that anywhere. It seems unfair that these kids will be the guinea pigs for a test that Teacher statewide seem to have limited information about. Lastly we have a teacher that's new to the state and I don't believe that the science review will be enough to cover eight quarters. Maybe I'm overreacting but I just feel like with this being such a big year and the review not matching I think we will sit this one out. I do agree about test practice and we will take it next year. We've done third and fourth grade.

There is only one ES test score that is important for a student and that is their 6th grade SOL if they are in Advanced Math or a LIV classroom. I suppose a student whose parents might refer for AAP the next year might be worried because SOLs are a part of the packet for 4th and above.

So why does it matter to you if he passes or fails? And what makes you think he will struggle or do poorly on the test in the first place? If his grades are fine he should do fine on the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So to be candid with you one of the reasons I'm opting out is that there's been no information from anywhere about the integrated reading and writing test. DC has passed with flying colors both years. There has only been one math test online this year which is not enough practice. I'm just concerned that the scores will be far below The usual. I'm not blaming the school about the integrated reading and writing test, I'm not seeing any information about that anywhere. It seems unfair that these kids will be the guinea pigs for a test that Teacher statewide seem to have limited information about. Lastly we have a teacher that's new to the state and I don't believe that the science review will be enough to cover eight quarters. Maybe I'm overreacting but I just feel like with this being such a big year and the review not matching I think we will sit this one out. I do agree about test practice and we will take it next year. We've done third and fourth grade.

You are definitely overreacting. Who cares if your child doesn’t do well on the tests? It doesn’t affect his admission to any program. Very bizarre thinking.

[Anonymous]

Weird rationale. So you want to hide your child’s knowledge gaps rather than fill them?

[Anonymous]

One year our elementary grouped all kids who had failed an SOL, the previous Spring, in class together in the Fall. They might put your kid in that class.

Of course school didn't admit that's what they did. But that's what they did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One year our elementary grouped all kids who had failed an SOL, the previous Spring, in class together in the Fall. They might put your kid in that class.

Of course school didn't admit that's what they did. But that's what they did.

how do you know this?