Opt Out of SOL Process

[Anonymous]

Is there a process for opting out of SOL tests, iReady exams, etc? Do I just email the school or do I need a form to fill out?

[Anonymous]

What grade?

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter what grade. Presumably OP knows the implications of opting out whichever grade it is. The policy is the same either way: you submit a request in writing to the principal and testing coordinator.

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/assessment-information#right-to-refuse-assessments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter what grade. Presumably OP knows the implications of opting out whichever grade it is. The policy is the same either way: you submit a request in writing to the principal and testing coordinator.

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/assessment-information#right-to-refuse-assessments

If it doesn’t matter which grade, and it happens to be high school, how would the child graduate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter what grade. Presumably OP knows the implications of opting out whichever grade it is. The policy is the same either way: you submit a request in writing to the principal and testing coordinator.

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/assessment-information#right-to-refuse-assessments

It does if they are at our school because both the class work and grades are completely geared toward the exam (especially 8th grade) since January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter what grade. Presumably OP knows the implications of opting out whichever grade it is. The policy is the same either way: you submit a request in writing to the principal and testing coordinator.

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/assessment-information#right-to-refuse-assessments

If it doesn’t matter which grade, and it happens to be high school, how would the child graduate?

SOLs aren't the only way.

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20660/638731535301330000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a process for opting out of SOL tests, iReady exams, etc? Do I just email the school or do I need a form to fill out?

How does your child benefit from not taking standardized tests?

[Anonymous]

Email your school counselor to get the process started for ES and MS. It shouldn't be a problem.

In HS you need to take them to graduate. The alternative pathway linked above is mostly used for special education students. If your kid is taking academic classes they will need to take a few SOLs.

Source: I am a counselor for FCPS.

[Anonymous]

The iReady and SOL do not hurt your childs grades or class placement, unless you have a second grader and then the MAP scores and VALLS scores are in the AAP packet if you are applying.

You can tell your child to do their best but you are not worried about their scores because they don't harm your child. You can tell your child that they are great practice for the type of exams they will take as a teenager, like SOLs needed for graduation and college applications. Let them practice on the lower stress test and figure out their strategies, which will help them as teens. If they get used tot he format and the style of questions, the SOLs and SATs in HS will be more familiar and, hopefully, easier for them.

If you opt out, your kid will not get extra instruction, they will read a book or do something quiet while the rest of the class takes the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The iReady and SOL do not hurt your childs grades or class placement, unless you have a second grader and then the MAP scores and VALLS scores are in the AAP packet if you are applying.

You can tell your child to do their best but you are not worried about their scores because they don't harm your child. You can tell your child that they are great practice for the type of exams they will take as a teenager, like SOLs needed for graduation and college applications. Let them practice on the lower stress test and figure out their strategies, which will help them as teens. If they get used tot he format and the style of questions, the SOLs and SATs in HS will be more familiar and, hopefully, easier for them.

If you opt out, your kid will not get extra instruction, they will read a book or do something quiet while the rest of the class takes the test.

This was our approach. We didn’t study or talk about them much except the night before to get a good night sleep. If she failed we did not do retakes in elementary. She never knew her scores.
In 8th grade if she needed retakes and review we did that because it was close to high school and we thought practice was important.

Yes my child struggles in school. I’m
Trying not to be nervous about the high school SOLs!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Email your school counselor to get the process started for ES and MS. It shouldn't be a problem.

In HS you need to take them to graduate. The alternative pathway linked above is mostly used for special education students. If your kid is taking academic classes they will need to take a few SOLs.

Source: I am a counselor for FCPS.

You can get a 2 in ap calc and avoid the sol for algebra 1 2 and geometry

Parents of highly involved academic kids could put an end to these shenanigans by tanking the system.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in Geometry this year, 8th grader, the Teacher has already told the kids she plans on little to no prep because none of them need the SOL and she would prefer to focus on real material. I like her.

[Anonymous]

I wish every parent would opt out so we could stop spending all this money on testing. It’s incredible how much money the testing companies are making and how stressed some kids get. When I had a kid with a 150 IQ come in my third grade room on the first day of testing and saw him throw up from anxiety, I knew we needed to get out of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish every parent would opt out so we could stop spending all this money on testing. It’s incredible how much money the testing companies are making and how stressed some kids get. When I had a kid with a 150 IQ come in my third grade room on the first day of testing and saw him throw up from anxiety, I knew we needed to get out of this.

+1 the anxiety buildup for everyone - teachers to students to families and admin is real. Can someone explain to me in simple terms the deal w SOLS in elementary and middle? I never knew we could opt out.

[Anonymous]

I'm in favor of the SOLs and think all but the most extreme SN students can manage