For your child, nothing. The non-test is counted against the school, though.

There have been some VERY real consequences for schools who do not close achievement gaps for MSA, including "good" schools who have small populations of ESOL/Special Ed/FARMs/non-white students. Scores for ALL these groups must be in a certain range or progress at a certain rate, or the school faces serious action. That is what has caused this intense pressure. Schools get very little for having good scores (other than being left alone), but are in dire straits if scores come back lower. I understand parents who say it's no big deal because their kids' school is very affluent or otherwise "good," but ALL the students must perform for the school to be "MSA-good." Otherwise, the data looks as though these groups are falling through the cracks and their needs are not being met.

I don't love the idea of my own kids sitting for this test, but it's very interesting to read these boards and comments on what schools are good/bad, based on the ESOL/FARMs rate and the MSA scores (usually from parents who do not have children at the school). Everyone wants the data of MSA passing rates, yet some parents don't want their kids to have to contribute to that data.

`what happens if your child does not take the MSA?

No, more like two hours and much of that is directions. Today for 3rd grade, there were three sections of 9, 30, and 30 minutes of actual testing (as in "you have 30 mins to complete this section") Once everything was passed out and directions were read. My school started at 9 and finished by 11. Tomorrow is two sections of 35 minutes each (I think--might be 35 and 37 or something like that). It's a lot, but it's broken up, and it's not three solid hours.

At my school, we provide snacks. And no, it's not a week off. We teach the rest of the day. I try to make it something extra fun, but it's not a day off.

I wonder if the PP is my sister the teacher. Anyway, our school doesn't let our kids bring snacks. It's roughly three hours of testing each day, correct? That's a lot for a third grader. Why not test in one-hour segments?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I take this to mean that the kids take all this testing stuff way less seriously than parents do.

Actually, a lot of them take it more seriously than we do. It really bugs me how the school basically take the entire week off for MSAs and send home all those reminders about the importance of a good night's sleep, and provide snacks, as if this is the most important week of the year for the kids. All that said, I wouldn't ever boycott them because I don't see that as being constructive (either).

Some things to think about:

* The importance of a good night's sleep - Sometimes kids literally fall asleep during the test. In fact, it happened today at my school. Boy said his mom went to bed and told him he should go to sleep by 11:00. Thanks mom.

* Snacks - Often, the lunch schedules get rearranged and your kids eat later than usual (sometimes MUCH later). What we hear from the kids: "I'M HUNGRY!" I can bring in some snacks, but not enough to feed a classroom of 25 kids for four days.

* Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "basically take the entire week off." We don't test all day. Today was Day 1 of the reading portion of the MSA for 3rd and 4th grade kids. I still managed to teach a math class today. We had time for science as well.

~An MCPS teacher

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that no, you can't if you expect for your child to earn a high school diploma. There is the Alt-MSA for students with significant disabilities (but they are not on the diploma track).

You're thinking of the HSA's, which are required for graduation.

This is the last year of MSA, so don't sweat it. MCPS will use the PARCC assessments starting next year, which supposedly have a different set-up.

MSA's only matter to the school and the school system. If your kid get's nervous, then these are perfect tests for practice. Eventually the SATs are going to come.

As for protest, I am all for protest opt outs. Parents have the least input into education today. MCPS Central Office doesn't give two cents about parents. If you have a smart kid who tests well, your only leverage is to opt out.

My understanding is that no, you can't if you expect for your child to earn a high school diploma. There is the Alt-MSA for students with significant disabilities (but they are not on the diploma track).

Some parents opt out by going on vacation that week...and boy does that irritate the Principal and teachers! Principals have been known to personally call the homes of kids who are absent, FWIW....so you can tell the test is kind of a big deal to them. I simply told my kid to relax and try his best, but that the test score doesn't affect his report card (bc he was under the impression that it did...not sure where he got that info...I'm guessing it might have been a scare tactic/motivational speech from the teacher).

Anonymous wrote: I take this to mean that the kids take all this testing stuff way less seriously than parents do.

Actually, a lot of them take it more seriously than we do. It really bugs me how the school basically take the entire week off for MSAs and send home all those reminders about the importance of a good night's sleep, and provide snacks, as if this is the most important week of the year for the kids. All that said, I wouldn't ever boycott them because I don't see that as being constructive (either).

OP, really if you're sweating this 3 years in advance you have a long road ahead of you! Anyway my third grade boy who isn't a super scholar and who tends to be very anxious came out of school today and shouted MSA ROCKS. Turns out they cancelled homework for the week, which makes this a banner week for him. I asked about the test, prepared to hear a lot of complaining or worrying and he just shrugged and said it was no big deal. I take this to mean that the kids take all this testing stuff way less seriously than parents do.

Think I can opt out of work?

relax don't make a big deal of it

I have never thought of this concept.

I'd HATE to be THAT parent.

The MSA results are not the child's grade. They are the school's grade.

My child is in Kindergarten so not an issue this year. He is doing just fine and I'm sure would do OK on tests. However, he does get very nervous for these kinds of things and I hear the schools often try to scare kids to make sure they do well.

I find it hard to believe it could be mandatory since it isn't part of their grades for the year, correct?
Has anyone ever thought about this?
I know parents are protesting and opting out in other states and I was wondering if there was a group here in Maryland that is dong that.