I seriously just want to opt out of testing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, from a dcps teacher and parent of 2 dcps kids.

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it. It's now November what are we going to do with it now? Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students? What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it? How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means? If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

Do you want crackers with your red herring? Perhaps a sparking wine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can hassle with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education people over officially opting out (we did it, big headache, believe me, they aren't there to help you opt out), or just write your principal a note telling him or her that you're going to opt out. I'd notarize the note and make my own arrangements for childcare on test days - you can't trust DCPS to work with you. You send your kid to school have them marked present, then take them home, or wherever else, for the rest of the school day. Email the school every day to explain what you're doing for your records, just in case the truancy police/social workers come knocking over unexused absence issues.

Your kid can't be held back a grade, or otherwise penalized, if you opt out. You don't need to explain a thing - the law is on your side. Just do it if you wish. I wouldn't worry about aggregate scores, indivudal scores, philosophy of testing, helping the the poor or anything else if you decide to opt out. As you may know, nearly 20% of public school families in NJ opted out earlier this year, mainly to protest high stakes standardized testing vis a vis teachers' assessments. If only DC parents were half as plucky collectively.

As long as they child is marked present they can't flag you for truancy even if you pull them out early every day of testing. Especially if you have informed them ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it. It's now November what are we going to do with it now? Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students? What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it? How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means? If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

Because when you're only paying a bunch of educators hired as consultants 12/hour to score standardized tests, they have no incentive to do it quickly.

Another interesting point to question would be why one needs to make standardized tests that require individuals to score them. In this day and age. And how that is efficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, from a dcps teacher and parent of 2 dcps kids.

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it. It's now November what are we going to do with it now? Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students? What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it? How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means? If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

Do you want crackers with your red herring? Perhaps a sparking wine?

Is sparking wine considered a fire hazard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it. It's now November what are we going to do with it now? Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students? What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it? How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means? If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

Because when you're only paying a bunch of educators hired as consultants 12/hour to score standardized tests, they have no incentive to do it quickly.

Another interesting point to question would be why one needs to make standardized tests that require individuals to score them. In this day and age. And how that is efficient.

The tests isn't just multiple choice. Has essays and students must their work for math. How would a machine grade those?

[Anonymous]

PP(dcps teacher)

I can only answer some of the questions.

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it.

Data can always be used, if not today, or tomorrow, later on, even next year. No, even next year, is not too late.

It's now November what are we going to do with it now?

Yes, it is, so we still have about half of the curriculum to maybe change or enhance. Still better than nothing.

Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students?

As a teacher, cannot answer that. Ask dcps as they implemented it. I think PARCC was designed for creating a better student. Standards just tell teachers what they should teach. Standards are what students should know/learn/master

What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it?

The data says a lot about LPS. They are low. Why? That I can't answer. Each LPS could have one or more reasons why they are low. The data will come, just be patient. I found out about the scores today just like everybody else, through the dcps website and press release.

How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means?

My suggestion: don't waste your time. It will come.

If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

Obviously not in my hands. Ask DCPS or OSSE or even PARCC.

I hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Now I need to go plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand these endless threads parsing statistically insignificant (likely) differences in test scores indicating the "best schools."

I am pretty sure my ADHD child, undiagnosed until this summer, did not score well and is bringing the school down.

I can't stand that testing as it exists now isn't really measuring anything and is widely disparaged, until the day the scores come out and it is suddenly incredibly meaningful and telling.

I was part of the education reform movement that led us into testing (Data! we need data!), and now I want out. How realistic is it to opt out of testing in DC (when private schools are out of reach)? What happens if you opt out?

I get what you are saying, and agree with a lot of your points. But testing is important for the clearer light it sheds on how underprivileged kids are being helped (or not really for now).

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/no-child-left-behind-republicans-oppose-standardized-tests

Any time we "trust the states" it generally hasn't worked out well throughout American history.

The only thing worse is trusting the Federal Government. Look at the way the IRS has been used as a weapon against anyone who disagrees politically with the administration.

We have become the old Soviet Union.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can hassle with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education people over officially opting out (we did it, big headache, believe me, they aren't there to help you opt out), or just write your principal a note telling him or her that you're going to opt out. I'd notarize the note and make my own arrangements for childcare on test days - you can't trust DCPS to work with you. You send your kid to school have them marked present, then take them home, or wherever else, for the rest of the school day. Email the school every day to explain what you're doing for your records, just in case the truancy police/social workers come knocking over unexused absence issues.

Your kid can't be held back a grade, or otherwise penalized, if you opt out. You don't need to explain a thing - the law is on your side. Just do it if you wish. I wouldn't worry about aggregate scores, indivudal scores, philosophy of testing, helping the the poor or anything else if you decide to opt out. As you may know, nearly 20% of public school families in NJ opted out earlier this year, mainly to protest high stakes standardized testing vis a vis teachers' assessments. If only DC parents were half as plucky collectively.

As long as they child is marked present they can't flag you for truancy even if you pull them out early every day of testing. Especially if you have informed them ahead of time.

Unfortunately, they can under Kaya's "80/20" rule, imposed by fiat over the summer. Google it. This school year, if a DCPS student misses 20% or more of any given school day, he or she can be marked absent for the entire day. Many elementary schools seem to be ignoring the rule, particularly those catering to high SES parents, but I wouldn't bank on DCPS not flagging a family for truancy if a kid is pulled out early each day of PARCC testing. Remember, this is the school system hauling the parents of globe-trotting piano protegies and children adopted from Mongolia to court on charges of criminal child neglect.

[Anonymous]

And so those parents should be charged under neglect. Each parent/guardian has that as a responsibility and each child has the right to attend school. End of discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I get what you are saying, and agree with a lot of your points. But testing is important for the clearer light it sheds on how underprivileged kids are being helped (or not really for now).

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/no-child-left-behind-republicans-oppose-standardized-tests

Any time we "trust the states" it generally hasn't worked out well throughout American history.

Why not just test the underprivileged kids then? Mine always do well on standardized tests - so testing them isn't giving anyone new information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And so those parents should be charged under neglect. Each parent/guardian has that as a responsibility and each child has the right to attend school. End of discussion.

Love the "end of discussion" posters - they always have really great reasons to back up their declarations.

Children have the right to be educated. Spending days in school taking standardized tests in order to rank their teachers isn't an educational activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can hassle with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education people over officially opting out (we did it, big headache, believe me, they aren't there to help you opt out), or just write your principal a note telling him or her that you're going to opt out. I'd notarize the note and make my own arrangements for childcare on test days - you can't trust DCPS to work with you. You send your kid to school have them marked present, then take them home, or wherever else, for the rest of the school day. Email the school every day to explain what you're doing for your records, just in case the truancy police/social workers come knocking over unexused absence issues.

Your kid can't be held back a grade, or otherwise penalized, if you opt out. You don't need to explain a thing - the law is on your side. Just do it if you wish. I wouldn't worry about aggregate scores, indivudal scores, philosophy of testing, helping the the poor or anything else if you decide to opt out. As you may know, nearly 20% of public school families in NJ opted out earlier this year, mainly to protest high stakes standardized testing vis a vis teachers' assessments. If only DC parents were half as plucky collectively.

As long as they child is marked present they can't flag you for truancy even if you pull them out early every day of testing. Especially if you have informed them ahead of time.

Unfortunately, they can under Kaya's "80/20" rule, imposed by fiat over the summer. Google it. This school year, if a DCPS student misses 20% or more of any given school day, he or she can be marked absent for the entire day. Many elementary schools seem to be ignoring the rule, particularly those catering to high SES parents, but I wouldn't bank on DCPS not flagging a family for truancy if a kid is pulled out early each day of PARCC testing. Remember, this is the school system hauling the parents of globe-trotting piano protegies and children adopted from Mongolia to court on charges of criminal child neglect.

I don't think this is just Kaya. Charters started that rule as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, from a dcps teacher and parent of 2 dcps kids.

Of course we need data but we need to be able to use it. It's now November what are we going to do with it now? Also why are we using it to evaluate teachers, what was PARCC designed for teachers or students? What does the data tell us about the skills of the lowest performing students, how far can we did into the data and who has access to it? How much time should be spent on acquiring this data and by what means? If it is computerized why did it take so long to get the results?

All PARCC came out in Nov nationwide. DC has already stated that subsequent years will be delivered In summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can hassle with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education people over officially opting out (we did it, big headache, believe me, they aren't there to help you opt out), or just write your principal a note telling him or her that you're going to opt out. I'd notarize the note and make my own arrangements for childcare on test days - you can't trust DCPS to work with you. You send your kid to school have them marked present, then take them home, or wherever else, for the rest of the school day. Email the school every day to explain what you're doing for your records, just in case the truancy police/social workers come knocking over unexused absence issues.

Your kid can't be held back a grade, or otherwise penalized, if you opt out. You don't need to explain a thing - the law is on your side. Just do it if you wish. I wouldn't worry about aggregate scores, indivudal scores, philosophy of testing, helping the the poor or anything else if you decide to opt out. As you may know, nearly 20% of public school families in NJ opted out earlier this year, mainly to protest high stakes standardized testing vis a vis teachers' assessments. If only DC parents were half as plucky collectively.

As long as they child is marked present they can't flag you for truancy even if you pull them out early every day of testing. Especially if you have informed them ahead of time.

Unfortunately, they can under Kaya's "80/20" rule, imposed by fiat over the summer. Google it. This school year, if a DCPS student misses 20% or more of any given school day, he or she can be marked absent for the entire day. Many elementary schools seem to be ignoring the rule, particularly those catering to high SES parents, but I wouldn't bank on DCPS not flagging a family for truancy if a kid is pulled out early each day of PARCC testing. Remember, this is the school system hauling the parents of globe-trotting piano protegies and children adopted from Mongolia to court on charges of criminal child neglect.

I don't think this is just Kaya. Charters started that rule as well.

Attendance mandates come from OSSE.