We don't live in D.C. right now. Earbuds or headphones have been on my kids' school supply lists for years. How is it and different from scissors or crayons?

It's different. This is for a test to evaluate students, teachers and school systems on proficiency of curriculmn. Very different than a box of tissues.

Anonymous wrote:How crazy is this...


As you know, all students will take the PARCC test beginning on March 2nd, 2015. For certain parts of the test, students will see video clips OR hear audio recordings. That means that ALL students will need to have a pair of ear buds or headphones. Students may choose to bring their own OR purchase a pair from the JW store. Ear buds will cost $2 and headphones will cost $3. We are asking that students leave their ear buds or headphones with their 1st period teacher. First period teachers will store them in a zip lock bag labeled with the student's name for the duration of testing. They will be returned to students after we complete the 2nd portion of PARCC testing in May.

Is this middle school?

As a first period teacher, this would be just another thing to add to my plate.

Thank God this is my last year in this profession!

Headphones are on our kids back to school list every year. They get excited when they hit 4th grade b/c then they have the option of ear buds or headphones!

Anonymous wrote:
The PUBLIC school system should provide absolutely all equipment, individual-use earbuds included.

If this is true, it's ridiculous.

The PUBLIC school system has never provided all equipment. Kids provide the pencils, the paper, the kleenex, etc . . . A $2 pair of earphones doesn't seem that different. If a child can't or doesn't provide them, then they will somehow appear, whether the school buys a few extra, or a teacher reaches into her own pocket, or someone repurposes the millions of pairs of earbuds that always seem to be in the lost and found.

Anonymous wrote:Actually, in addition to the cost issue, I see this as a big problem for at least some segment of kids. One of my sons has health issues around wearing ear buds/headphones. (Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.) He had a concussion last year and can't stand them.

Sigh.

Does he have a 504 plan? At our school, a kid with a medical need to avoid headphones, would have 1:1 testing written into their 504/IEP which would allow them to hear the videos over the speakers.

The PUBLIC school system should provide absolutely all equipment, individual-use earbuds included.

If this is true, it's ridiculous.

Actually, in addition to the cost issue, I see this as a big problem for at least some segment of kids. One of my sons has health issues around wearing ear buds/headphones. (Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.) He had a concussion last year and can't stand them.

Sigh.

This is on top of the schools needing to upgrade and purchase additional computers and Internet connectivity. Hope these test results produce valuable data.

This isn't going to go over well if this is the case at my Title One school. There is no PTA to provide this money either. I guess the kids will just use the headphones already in the computer lab.

There have been years where we were supposed to send in $2 or $3 for headphones for the computer lab, in elementary school -- nothing to do with the PARCC test.

Doesn't seem odd to me. I would require my kid to bring their own anyway, who wants to use something that's been in someone else's ears?

School also requires kids to bring their own supplies for everyday use, such as pencils and folders and the like. I'm not sure how this is different.

If your concern is for families who cannot afford the expense, schools and PTAs usually have funds for students whose families genuinely cannot afford supplies or fees for portions of the instructional program (i.e. testing fees at the high school level, field trip fees in elementary and middle school, etc) or information about how to obtain needed supplies free of charge. I'm sure if your concern is related to a financial hardship arrangements can be made with the school.

and if your child does not bring earbuds or $

It doesn't seem that crazy to me...

How crazy is this...


As you know, all students will take the PARCC test beginning on March 2nd, 2015. For certain parts of the test, students will see video clips OR hear audio recordings. That means that ALL students will need to have a pair of ear buds or headphones. Students may choose to bring their own OR purchase a pair from the JW store. Ear buds will cost $2 and headphones will cost $3. We are asking that students leave their ear buds or headphones with their 1st period teacher. First period teachers will store them in a zip lock bag labeled with the student's name for the duration of testing. They will be returned to students after we complete the 2nd portion of PARCC testing in May.