Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids took the DC CAS - no problem. I am not oppose at all to standardized testing. PARCC, however, strikes me as a train wreck right now -- not ready for prime time at best. They dropped from 24 participating states to 10 + DC.

Does anyone know if there is a way to opt our kids out of this testing this year in DC?

yes there are several states that initially joined the consortium of state superintendents that developed the common core, and have now withdrawn or are actively withdrawing from it. however, most of the states have conservative governors and legislatures. As far as data goes, I'm not for DC copying what Oklahoma, Georgia, or Alaska does. I think a little research will prove that those politicians in the states that opted out of academic standards that they actually helped develop in order to pander to their political base, is not a reason to opt out of PARCC or the common core. it was only last summer that people like bobby jindal and Sarah Palin were claiming that common core was a federal attempt to regulate education. nothing could be further from the truth but if it makes you feel good, go ahead and hop on the Ted Cruz gravy train. By the way, Texas just decided to amend the AP US History standards too, should DC follow that lead as well?

Let me guess, they have an issue with AP US History talking about slavery and the causes of the civil war, and want it referred to as "The War of Northern Aggression"

Come on. So tired, honestly.

If only it were. These are the same assholes who want it taught in schools that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs 6,000 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Wanna know how much time my 7th grader has spent on discussing PARCC or on PARCC test prep in his "highly regarded" DC charter thus far? ZERO. Wanna know how worried his school is about it? They aren't. Wanna know how worried my kid is about it? He isn't.



So much hysteria over nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my kids took the test for the past two days. They have one more day and are looking forward to it. Not only are they unharmed, they loved it. Can everyone please stop shoveling on the piles of drama? It's JUST. A. TEST.

Aren't there several more days of testing next week as well? We've been told 3 for language arts this week, 3 for math next week.

And this is just the first part--the project-based assessment where they write an essay and solve complex math problems. It does sound fun and quick. The second and I think longer part is in May. The end of year test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wanna know how much time my 7th grader has spent on discussing PARCC or on PARCC test prep in his "highly regarded" DC charter thus far? ZERO. Wanna know how worried his school is about it? They aren't. Wanna know how worried my kid is about it? He isn't.



So much hysteria over nothing.

Teacher evaluations in charters are not necessarily tied to the results of these tests. It follows that they are more chill about it. Take a field trip to a neighborhood elementary school in DCPS where teachers and principals are under the gun and you might see something different. But YOUR school and kid is fine so the rest of us are hysterical. I get it.

[Anonymous]

My kids school has begun test prep and that is what made me want to see a sample test - paracconline.org I encourage all those who have issue with those parents wanting to opt out -- take it and post your score

The test prep they are doing does not cover anything that will be on the test or anything near it -

This year DC is not counting the test again school teacher or student and I got that right from my daughter school principal --

Why does there have to be so much anger why can we just come together to voice opinions so we don't agree on everything get over it -- I'm not trying to win someone over just have been doing my research and feel it's not for my daughter

[Anonymous]

http://www.westernjournalism.com/arkansas-mom-exposes-common-core-nightmare/#ou7fdv812u4ZVfuu.97


This is common core at its best -- the child got the answer wrong for not writing down circles and hash marks -- last time I checked I don't use circles and hash marks in my everyday work when using math

Anyone else just a thought

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids took the DC CAS - no problem. I am not oppose at all to standardized testing. PARCC, however, strikes me as a train wreck right now -- not ready for prime time at best. They dropped from 24 participating states to 10 + DC.

Does anyone know if there is a way to opt our kids out of this testing this year in DC?

yes there are several states that initially joined the consortium of state superintendents that developed the common core, and have now withdrawn or are actively withdrawing from it. however, most of the states have conservative governors and legislatures. As far as data goes, I'm not for DC copying what Oklahoma, Georgia, or Alaska does. I think a little research will prove that those politicians in the states that opted out of academic standards that they actually helped develop in order to pander to their political base, is not a reason to opt out of PARCC or the common core. it was only last summer that people like bobby jindal and Sarah Palin were claiming that common core was a federal attempt to regulate education. nothing could be further from the truth but if it makes you feel good, go ahead and hop on the Ted Cruz gravy train. By the way, Texas just decided to amend the AP US History standards too, should DC follow that lead as well?

Makes no sense. You don't want dc to withdraw because Alaska and Georgia have. Heaven forbid we be like THEM. Let's not copy TX. But you'd prefer ALL
states have the exact same standards -- the ones you like? Ok.

To me, this isn't a political issue. It's an issue of a faulty, not ready for prime time test that is not developmentally appropriate in many places.

And if anyone is curious (R or D or I indicate current Governor's party):

http://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-assessments/what-states-have-pulled-out-of-their-common-core-assessment-consortium/

States that have pulled out of their Assessment Consortium:
-- Utah (R)
-- Oklahoma (R)
-- Georgia (R)
-- Alabama (R)
-- Indiana (R)
-- Kansas (R)
-- Pennsylvania (D)
-- Alaska (I)
-- Florida (R)

States Actively Considering Withdrawing (delayed for now):
-- Michigan (R)
-- Kentucky (R)
-- North Carolina (R)
-- Iowa (R)

States that never joined:
-- Virginia (D)
-- Texas (R)
-- Nebraska (R)
-- Minnesota (D)

Dem: 3
Rep: 13
Ind: 1

And there are large opt it movements reported in New Jersey (R), Colorado (D), Oregon (D) that I've read about.

This is from Jan 2014 -- I think some others may have officially dropped Common Core since.

Right now, there are only 10 states + DC doing the testing. Don't know if some will pick it back up after the many kinks are worked out of the test...?

You have failed to account for the 21 states in the Smarter Balanced coalition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.westernjournalism.com/arkansas-mom-exposes-common-core-nightmare/#ou7fdv812u4ZVfuu.97


This is common core at its best -- the child got the answer wrong for not writing down circles and hash marks -- last time I checked I don't use circles and hash marks in my everyday work when using math

Anyone else just a thought

I don't curse like some people here, so I'll just say HOLY COW. This is disheartening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids took the DC CAS - no problem. I am not oppose at all to standardized testing. PARCC, however, strikes me as a train wreck right now -- not ready for prime time at best. They dropped from 24 participating states to 10 + DC.

Does anyone know if there is a way to opt our kids out of this testing this year in DC?

yes there are several states that initially joined the consortium of state superintendents that developed the common core, and have now withdrawn or are actively withdrawing from it. however, most of the states have conservative governors and legislatures. As far as data goes, I'm not for DC copying what Oklahoma, Georgia, or Alaska does. I think a little research will prove that those politicians in the states that opted out of academic standards that they actually helped develop in order to pander to their political base, is not a reason to opt out of PARCC or the common core. it was only last summer that people like bobby jindal and Sarah Palin were claiming that common core was a federal attempt to regulate education. nothing could be further from the truth but if it makes you feel good, go ahead and hop on the Ted Cruz gravy train. By the way, Texas just decided to amend the AP US History standards too, should DC follow that lead as well?

Makes no sense. You don't want dc to withdraw because Alaska and Georgia have. Heaven forbid we be like THEM. Let's not copy TX. But you'd prefer ALL
states have the exact same standards -- the ones you like? Ok.

To me, this isn't a political issue. It's an issue of a faulty, not ready for prime time test that is not developmentally appropriate in many places.

And if anyone is curious (R or D or I indicate current Governor's party):

http://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-assessments/what-states-have-pulled-out-of-their-common-core-assessment-consortium/

States that have pulled out of their Assessment Consortium:
-- Utah (R)
-- Oklahoma (R)
-- Georgia (R)
-- Alabama (R)
-- Indiana (R)
-- Kansas (R)
-- Pennsylvania (D)
-- Alaska (I)
-- Florida (R)

States Actively Considering Withdrawing (delayed for now):
-- Michigan (R)
-- Kentucky (R)
-- North Carolina (R)
-- Iowa (R)

States that never joined:
-- Virginia (D)
-- Texas (R)
-- Nebraska (R)
-- Minnesota (D)

Dem: 3
Rep: 13
Ind: 1

And there are large opt it movements reported in New Jersey (R), Colorado (D), Oregon (D) that I've read about.

This is from Jan 2014 -- I think some others may have officially dropped Common Core since.

Right now, there are only 10 states + DC doing the testing. Don't know if some will pick it back up after the many kinks are worked out of the test...?

You have failed to account for the 21 states in the Smarter Balanced coalition.

DC is using PARCC. SB does appear to be a better test. But still a test of Common Core Standards, and there's so much that seems... let's say less tan ideal about them.

[Anonymous]

I too am a parent in DC - and am not opposed to testing my kid on materials learned- And agree with some comments this is a faculty problem there is limited communication with the parents on what is going on with the kids unless you ask and even then it is subpar- I am a single parent and can say I am all up in what is going on with my kid and when they dropped the ball I started asking questions as to what happened and why as I made it clear from day one what I expected and what I expected my daughter to get out of her school year and education.

I don't have all the answers but the schools are getting away from teaching our kids and more concentrating on testing our kids be it for whatever reason - I am not 100% ok with it.. my kid took the DC CAS fine last year but the school prep them during the school year and had Saturday school for four hours in the morning up till when the DC CAS started. Now majority of these test are half what the kids learned during the year and half of what they have not learned. And yes I do have a problem testing my kid on something she has not learned if she has not been properly prepared or able to have some sort of study resources. So with the prep she was given last year a lot of the pressure was taken off from testing.

my daughter is test prepping by being given packets - and I have been told she will be graded on said packets but I have seen the sample questions on the practice test and the test prep her school is doing is nothing that I feel would prepare her for the test and only doing two weeks worth of prep that has nothing to do with what will be on her actual test.

The interim tests that are given are the same way I learned that my daughter GPA was being affected on testing on things she had not been taught-- Again I am all for testing but fairly tested on what she has learned

Again I don't have the answers but I encourage all the parents to set on your computers and do a practice Parcc test in Math and Literacy and understand what your kid will be going through- again it is not the testing that I have I think this test has no real statistics as to how it will help our kids its a work in progress as one parent said it is a train wreck. There were some questions that could have been a couple answers - just don't think it was thought out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Real Tea Party Patriots with Tin Foil Hats. If you don't want you kiddo to take the test, fine. Just stop pretending it's something more than that.

"Tin Foil Hats" -- this attack is a dead giveaway for extremists.

Your child may get additional exposure to wifi death rays on testing days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.westernjournalism.com/arkansas-mom-exposes-common-core-nightmare/#ou7fdv812u4ZVfuu.97


This is common core at its best -- the child got the answer wrong for not writing down circles and hash marks -- last time I checked I don't use circles and hash marks in my everyday work when using math

Anyone else just a thought

I don't curse like some people here, so I'll just say HOLY COW. This is disheartening.

Western Journalism is a right wing propaganda rag. After having seen one hit piece after another coming from them which directly parrots talking points from the Heritage Foundation and other right wing mills, I take anything that comes from Western Journalism with a huge grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too am a parent in DC - and am not opposed to testing my kid on materials learned- And agree with some comments this is a faculty problem there is limited communication with the parents on what is going on with the kids unless you ask and even then it is subpar- I am a single parent and can say I am all up in what is going on with my kid and when they dropped the ball I started asking questions as to what happened and why as I made it clear from day one what I expected and what I expected my daughter to get out of her school year and education.

I don't have all the answers but the schools are getting away from teaching our kids and more concentrating on testing our kids be it for whatever reason - I am not 100% ok with it.. my kid took the DC CAS fine last year but the school prep them during the school year and had Saturday school for four hours in the morning up till when the DC CAS started. Now majority of these test are half what the kids learned during the year and half of what they have not learned. And yes I do have a problem testing my kid on something she has not learned if she has not been properly prepared or able to have some sort of study resources. So with the prep she was given last year a lot of the pressure was taken off from testing.

my daughter is test prepping by being given packets - and I have been told she will be graded on said packets but I have seen the sample questions on the practice test and the test prep her school is doing is nothing that I feel would prepare her for the test and only doing two weeks worth of prep that has nothing to do with what will be on her actual test.

The interim tests that are given are the same way I learned that my daughter GPA was being affected on testing on things she had not been taught-- Again I am all for testing but fairly tested on what she has learned

Again I don't have the answers but I encourage all the parents to set on your computers and do a practice Parcc test in Math and Literacy and understand what your kid will be going through- again it is not the testing that I have I think this test has no real statistics as to how it will help our kids its a work in progress as one parent said it is a train wreck. There were some questions that could have been a couple answers - just don't think it was thought out

Thank you so much for posting. This is my experience exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the big deal if your kid takes the test for a day? It doesn't seem like any of this is going to scar them.

Well aren't you helpful.

[Anonymous]

The Common Core and PARCC test are the best things to happen to DC. As a DCPS parent, I've been concerned that the academic standards of my school may be behind those of some of the more affluent suburban schools. The Common Core and PARCC exams ensure that all kids, regardless of school district, are learning the same skills, in the same order, and at the same time. If we move from DC, I can rest assured that my kid won't be a grade level behind.

As for the PARCC, I took some of the sample math questions on their website (I am an engineer). These questions are a *dramatic* improvement over the standard multiple choice questions I grew up with as a kid. If my children's teachers teach to this test, then I know they are learning meaningful and useful skills.

That said, having a handwritten option for elementary schools wouldn't hurt, at least in the short term...