Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Why would one? What problem would it solve?

[Anonymous]

Opting out is now not an option under Maryland law.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

[Anonymous]

No, why would you? It's a great opportunity to teach kids that tests are no big deal. It's not something they prepare for (or very little, and only in class). Results have zero repercussions on the kid - results are more for the school and the county.

If you opt out, it's just going to make them self-conscious about tests. Don't do that to your kid.

- parent of high schoolers and college kids who take tests all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

Do not generalize to every child the extreme anxiety your child had, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

What is the point of allowing them to refuse the test in elementary school, considering they are going to have to take many such tests going forward? Why not just teach them how to manage anxiety and develop coping skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, why would you? It's a great opportunity to teach kids that tests are no big deal. It's not something they prepare for (or very little, and only in class). Results have zero repercussions on the kid - results are more for the school and the county.

If you opt out, it's just going to make them self-conscious about tests. Don't do that to your kid.

- parent of high schoolers and college kids who take tests all the time.

This. Life has lots of tests. My work has required annual training with a mandatory standardized test at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

Do not generalize to every child the extreme anxiety your child had, please.

Don’t tell me what I saw on a yearly basis. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

What is the point of allowing them to refuse the test in elementary school, considering they are going to have to take many such tests going forward? Why not just teach them how to manage anxiety and develop coping skills?

You obviously have no idea of the amount of testing that goes on in public schools. It’s weeks and weeks of testing if you add it up. Not applicable in the “real world” if you are only taking tests to appease your boss. State tests do not benefit the students. But go ahead and continue to act like you know better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, why would you? It's a great opportunity to teach kids that tests are no big deal. It's not something they prepare for (or very little, and only in class). Results have zero repercussions on the kid - results are more for the school and the county.

If you opt out, it's just going to make them self-conscious about tests. Don't do that to your kid.

- parent of high schoolers and college kids who take tests all the time.

This. Life has lots of tests. My work has required annual training with a mandatory standardized test at the end.

m
So one test? Or a dozen. Because what we are asking of our children is kit the same. And you have a developed brain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, why would you? It's a great opportunity to teach kids that tests are no big deal. It's not something they prepare for (or very little, and only in class). Results have zero repercussions on the kid - results are more for the school and the county.

If you opt out, it's just going to make them self-conscious about tests. Don't do that to your kid.

- parent of high schoolers and college kids who take tests all the time.

I feel sorry for your children if they stressed about these tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.

In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.

If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.

I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.

What is the point of allowing them to refuse the test in elementary school, considering they are going to have to take many such tests going forward? Why not just teach them how to manage anxiety and develop coping skills?

You obviously have no idea of the amount of testing that goes on in public schools. It’s weeks and weeks of testing if you add it up. Not applicable in the “real world” if you are only taking tests to appease your boss. State tests do not benefit the students. But go ahead and continue to act like you know better.

That's a lot of words and histrionics to not even attempt to answer the question. I have a very good idea how much testing is done. I have two in HS in MD. This is their real world. They'll have state testing as long as they are in public school. The correct way to voice your objections about who the testing serves is to go to the board, not to signal to your kid that a little bit of anxiety means they simply don't have to do something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, why would you? It's a great opportunity to teach kids that tests are no big deal. It's not something they prepare for (or very little, and only in class). Results have zero repercussions on the kid - results are more for the school and the county.

If you opt out, it's just going to make them self-conscious about tests. Don't do that to your kid.

- parent of high schoolers and college kids who take tests all the time.

I feel sorry for your children if they stressed about these tests.

You seem to be very emotional about this. No wonder your kid is stressed out.

PP never said her kids were stressed about tests, BTW.