PARCC -- What a waste. Can we opt out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For years, the principal, faculty and staff at my kids' school have bent over backwards to help them under various circumstances. If taking a few hours of testing over the course of those same years helps them out, I have no problem with it. It won't hurt my kids.

And you're most entitled to help out by submitting to a few hours of testing. Why not leave other parents to help out as they wish? We knock ourselves out for our school's PTA, and often volunteer in the classroom, but will opt out for private reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:will your kid bring up the class average or bring it down? If you'll hurt the class average, you are also hurting your child's teacher at a DCPS. At a charter, if enough parents opt out you could put the charter at risk.

I don't understand what you're saying. My SN child in a highly performing school will almost definitely hurt the class average if he takes the exam. So by your reasoning, should we opt out to help the teacher?

Nobody's telling you what you should or shouldn't do. Every family makes that decision for themselves. But it sounds like reducing the teacher's chance at a bonus shouldn't be part of your individual calculus.

That's my point. The PP was saying that a high performing student shouldn't opt out because that would bring the class average down. If tests are valuable, they are valuable for everyone. If they aren't valuable, then they aren't valuable for anyone. Making a decision based on how well you expect your child to do is silly.

This misses the point that wasting the child's time is what parents object to. I know my child will perform well. I don't care - it's a waste of time that could be spent reading, doing math, playing music, etc. The PARCC is a waste of time.

This is SO anti-social and not community minded at all. PARCC may be imperfect, but it's 1) something everyone in the school is expected to take part in and 2) provides some benefits in measuring the performance of the school.

So what if everyone is expected to take it? In a democracy, we should be able to follow our own paths to community mindedness. Find another way to boost the performance of the school if you like.

Who wrote this? Kelly Ann Conway? It strikes that perfect balance of the Orwellian, selfishness, and bristling hostillity that only she seems to have perfected.

[Anonymous]

Nope, dyed in the wool Democrat who's worked as a Hill staffer for many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You folks don't see the irony.

You won't even consider a local school for your darling snowflakes if the test scores aren't high enough, but yet you want to opt out your own children when it's time for them to take those same tests. Hmm...

No kidding. And you like to use the PARCC scores of high performing DC schools to validate your decision not to move to Maryland.

... where you'd still have to take PARCC anyway!

[Anonymous]

Right, only a really obnoxious, navel gazing Republican would think in terms of opting out of the PARCC. This explains why the biggest opt out states in recent years have been found in the Pacific NW, the Rust Belt, and the Mid-Atlantic region (NY and NJ). Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You folks don't see the irony.

You won't even consider a local school for your darling snowflakes if the test scores aren't high enough, but yet you want to opt out your own children when it's time for them to take those same tests. Hmm...

No kidding. And you like to use the PARCC scores of high performing DC schools to validate your decision not to move to Maryland.

... where you'd still have to take PARCC anyway!

Actually, no student has to take the PARCC, in any state. Students can't be held back a grade if they don't take the test (this hasn't happened anywhere, and the Dept. of Ed has never withheld Title I funds for low PARCC turnout either). School systems trying to enforce compliance usually nail parents for violating attendance policies. Parents may end up in court, where judges toss out PARCC-linked charges of criminal child neglect/truancy. Big headache to land in court but the fact remains that nobody has to take state mandated standardized tests to use public schools in this country. States like FL that have hassled groups of families and schools over compliance tend to regret it, because kids can't be forced to try hard on the PARCC. If backed into a legal corner, some opt-out minded parents will coach kids to bomb the test. States are learning to leave opters out alone.

[Anonymous]

Is it just PARCC people hate, or would they have the same issue with Smarter Balanced assessments, that are also common core aligned?

http://www.smarterbalanced.org/assessments/development/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For years, the principal, faculty and staff at my kids' school have bent over backwards to help them under various circumstances. If taking a few hours of testing over the course of those same years helps them out, I have no problem with it. It won't hurt my kids.

And you're most entitled to help out by submitting to a few hours of testing. Why not leave other parents to help out as they wish? We knock ourselves out for our school's PTA, and often volunteer in the classroom, but will opt out for private reasons.

Did I take a position on other people opting out? No, I did not. I was voicing my own reasons for my own actions. I am glad you help out at school. Perhaps we have been room parents or HSA/PTA/LSAT members together. Knock yourself out.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak for all those who want to opt out but my beef is with public school systems enriching lousy, profit-sucking Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill, regardless of the tests these corporate behemoths are creating and grading.

If you look at the language used in the OSSE guidelines and read between the lines, they're just talking about using attendance policy as a cudgel to rein in families contemplating opting out. Fortunately, attendance is a blunt instrument.

Unless you're in attendance hot water come testing season in a DCPS, without the wiggle room to nudge 9 unexcused absences, you're good on opting out. More than 9 unexcused absences and a social worker is likely to intervene. He or she can then recommend a criminal child neglect charge for truancy (10 absences+ during a single school year), with the school principal and a public prosecutor signing off on the paperwork. But if your kids' attendance records are solid in testing grades, and you're prepared to keep them out of school on testing days, DCPS lacks the tools to come at your family for a student missing a few days of school unexcused for any reason. Most schools give the PARCC over 3 or 4 days.

Those serious about opting out can pull it off without fear of reprisal, but will need to keep careful records documenting a kid's absences in grades 3-8. Be sure to shoot your school registrar an email each time a kid stays home sick, or takes a day off school to observe a religious holiday, and keep a file of this correspondence in case push comes to shove on attendance issues vis a vis opting out.

Currently, there is no legislation banning parents from opting out of statewide assessments, nor is
there legislation for an opt-out process. According to the statewide assessment policy from OSSE,
eligible students are required to take any statewide assessments. A child may be marked as absent
for the time missed during assessment testing days. A student who does not take the PARCC
assessment may also be excluded from any incentive rewards for successful completion of
assessments. Parents should discuss their concerns with the school and familiarize themselves with
the PARCC assessment and applicable attendance policy before making their decision.
Does anything happen to LEAs if I choose to have my child opt-out of statewide assessments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for all those who want to opt out but my beef is with public school systems enriching lousy, profit-sucking Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill, regardless of the tests these corporate behemoths are creating and grading.

If you look at the language used in the OSSE guidelines and read between the lines, they're just talking about using attendance policy as a cudgel to rein in families contemplating opting out. Fortunately, attendance is a blunt instrument.

Unless you're in attendance hot water come testing season in a DCPS, without the wiggle room to nudge 9 unexcused absences, you're good on opting out. More than 9 unexcused absences and a social worker is likely to intervene. He or she can then recommend a criminal child neglect charge for truancy (10 absences+ during a single school year), with the school principal and a public prosecutor signing off on the paperwork. But if your kids' attendance records are solid in testing grades, and you're prepared to keep them out of school on testing days, DCPS lacks the tools to come at your family for a student missing a few days of school unexcused for any reason. Most schools give the PARCC over 3 or 4 days.

Those serious about opting out can pull it off without fear of reprisal, but will need to keep careful records documenting a kid's absences in grades 3-8. Be sure to shoot your school registrar an email each time a kid stays home sick, or takes a day off school to observe a religious holiday, and keep a file of this correspondence in case push comes to shove on attendance issues vis a vis opting out.

Currently, there is no legislation banning parents from opting out of statewide assessments, nor is
there legislation for an opt-out process. According to the statewide assessment policy from OSSE,
eligible students are required to take any statewide assessments. A child may be marked as absent
for the time missed during assessment testing days. A student who does not take the PARCC
assessment may also be excluded from any incentive rewards for successful completion of
assessments. Parents should discuss their concerns with the school and familiarize themselves with
the PARCC assessment and applicable attendance policy before making their decision.
Does anything happen to LEAs if I choose to have my child opt-out of statewide assessments?

But don't forget to keep your kid home on the PARCC makeup days as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for all those who want to opt out but my beef is with public school systems enriching lousy, profit-sucking Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill, regardless of the tests these corporate behemoths are creating and grading.

If you look at the language used in the OSSE guidelines and read between the lines, they're just talking about using attendance policy as a cudgel to rein in families contemplating opting out. Fortunately, attendance is a blunt instrument.

Unless you're in attendance hot water come testing season in a DCPS, without the wiggle room to nudge 9 unexcused absences, you're good on opting out. More than 9 unexcused absences and a social worker is likely to intervene. He or she can then recommend a criminal child neglect charge for truancy (10 absences+ during a single school year), with the school principal and a public prosecutor signing off on the paperwork. But if your kids' attendance records are solid in testing grades, and you're prepared to keep them out of school on testing days, DCPS lacks the tools to come at your family for a student missing a few days of school unexcused for any reason. Most schools give the PARCC over 3 or 4 days.

Those serious about opting out can pull it off without fear of reprisal, but will need to keep careful records documenting a kid's absences in grades 3-8. Be sure to shoot your school registrar an email each time a kid stays home sick, or takes a day off school to observe a religious holiday, and keep a file of this correspondence in case push comes to shove on attendance issues vis a vis opting out.

Currently, there is no legislation banning parents from opting out of statewide assessments, nor is
there legislation for an opt-out process. According to the statewide assessment policy from OSSE,
eligible students are required to take any statewide assessments. A child may be marked as absent
for the time missed during assessment testing days. A student who does not take the PARCC
assessment may also be excluded from any incentive rewards for successful completion of
assessments. Parents should discuss their concerns with the school and familiarize themselves with
the PARCC assessment and applicable attendance policy before making their decision.
Does anything happen to LEAs if I choose to have my child opt-out of statewide assessments?

All schools set aside days for PARCC makeup for sick kids. So you'd need to keep your kids home then too.

[Anonymous]

NP, I've opted out without trouble in a JKLM several years in a row.

OP, the key is to keep a low profile.

Just find out when the testing days will be as far in advance as you can and keep your child home those days. Then write your principle a note asking that the child not being given make-up tests.

No school can test every kid - admins will leave you alone if you don't engage.

Engage and they'll twist your arm and threaten.

Not worth the headaches.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for all those who want to opt out but my beef is with public school systems enriching lousy, profit-sucking Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill, regardless of the tests these corporate behemoths are creating and grading.

If you look at the language used in the OSSE guidelines and read between the lines, they're just talking about using attendance policy as a cudgel to rein in families contemplating opting out. Fortunately, attendance is a blunt instrument.

Unless you're in attendance hot water come testing season in a DCPS, without the wiggle room to nudge 9 unexcused absences, you're good on opting out. More than 9 unexcused absences and a social worker is likely to intervene. He or she can then recommend a criminal child neglect charge for truancy (10 absences+ during a single school year), with the school principal and a public prosecutor signing off on the paperwork. But if your kids' attendance records are solid in testing grades, and you're prepared to keep them out of school on testing days, DCPS lacks the tools to come at your family for a student missing a few days of school unexcused for any reason. Most schools give the PARCC over 3 or 4 days.

Those serious about opting out can pull it off without fear of reprisal, but will need to keep careful records documenting a kid's absences in grades 3-8. Be sure to shoot your school registrar an email each time a kid stays home sick, or takes a day off school to observe a religious holiday, and keep a file of this correspondence in case push comes to shove on attendance issues vis a vis opting out.

Currently, there is no legislation banning parents from opting out of statewide assessments, nor is
there legislation for an opt-out process. According to the statewide assessment policy from OSSE,
eligible students are required to take any statewide assessments. A child may be marked as absent
for the time missed during assessment testing days. A student who does not take the PARCC
assessment may also be excluded from any incentive rewards for successful completion of
assessments. Parents should discuss their concerns with the school and familiarize themselves with
the PARCC assessment and applicable attendance policy before making their decision.
Does anything happen to LEAs if I choose to have my child opt-out of statewide assessments?

All schools set aside days for PARCC makeup for sick kids. So you'd need to keep your kids home then too.

Untrue, but you will need to assert yourself to avoid being hassled about make-up days. Train your child to refuse make-up tests (I need to call my mother now) and the school will almost certainly back off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for all those who want to opt out but my beef is with public school systems enriching lousy, profit-sucking Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill, regardless of the tests these corporate behemoths are creating and grading.

If you look at the language used in the OSSE guidelines and read between the lines, they're just talking about using attendance policy as a cudgel to rein in families contemplating opting out. Fortunately, attendance is a blunt instrument.

Unless you're in attendance hot water come testing season in a DCPS, without the wiggle room to nudge 9 unexcused absences, you're good on opting out. More than 9 unexcused absences and a social worker is likely to intervene. He or she can then recommend a criminal child neglect charge for truancy (10 absences+ during a single school year), with the school principal and a public prosecutor signing off on the paperwork. But if your kids' attendance records are solid in testing grades, and you're prepared to keep them out of school on testing days, DCPS lacks the tools to come at your family for a student missing a few days of school unexcused for any reason. Most schools give the PARCC over 3 or 4 days.

Those serious about opting out can pull it off without fear of reprisal, but will need to keep careful records documenting a kid's absences in grades 3-8. Be sure to shoot your school registrar an email each time a kid stays home sick, or takes a day off school to observe a religious holiday, and keep a file of this correspondence in case push comes to shove on attendance issues vis a vis opting out.

Currently, there is no legislation banning parents from opting out of statewide assessments, nor is
there legislation for an opt-out process. According to the statewide assessment policy from OSSE,
eligible students are required to take any statewide assessments. A child may be marked as absent
for the time missed during assessment testing days. A student who does not take the PARCC
assessment may also be excluded from any incentive rewards for successful completion of
assessments. Parents should discuss their concerns with the school and familiarize themselves with
the PARCC assessment and applicable attendance policy before making their decision.
Does anything happen to LEAs if I choose to have my child opt-out of statewide assessments?

All schools set aside days for PARCC makeup for sick kids. So you'd need to keep your kids home then too.

Untrue, but you will need to assert yourself to avoid being hassled about make-up days. Train your child to refuse make-up tests (I need to call my mother now) and the school will almost certainly back off.

I was trained to refuse certain school practices for ideological reasons. It did nothing, except make me feel weird and self-conscious, and exacerbate an already existing tendency towards anxiety (which was what was playing out for my mom anyway in insisting on these things). Maybe you should look into why this is such a huge deal to you.

[Anonymous]

MY JKLM had only one family opt out.