Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 12:11     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
NP here, I contacted OSSE regarding opting out and am awaiting a response.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 12:02     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:Inform your school now that you will be keeping your child home on testing days and that you are opting them out of the test. I'm sure if there is some provision that exists (which I doubt) they will let you know right away.

I do think you should inform them you have chosen to keep them home on testing day so there is no assumption your child just happened to be out.

Our school goes on lockdown with every grade affected by the seriousness of administering the test. That's what you get when the fear of god, loss of job and bad performance evaluations driving teachers teach to the test. It's too bad tying performance evaluations to the tests was ever implemented (I know it's been suspended this year) because the whole atmosphere in our school is really shitty and I don't see that abating just because the evaluation/performance piece isn't around this year.

The anti-PARCC sentiment will catch up to DC, it's just not here yet. It's like a rising tide of disgusted parents across the U.S.


Teaching to the test is not a bad thing if it's a good test with performance assessments. So much of the discussion of Common Core and testing is uninformed.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 11:38     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
OP, I share your concerns. We are applying to private schools this year, and I was surprised to learn that our children's DC-CAS scores were to be sent with their transcripts.

I would inquire at your school about the procedures for "opting out," or I would try to determine whether admissions offices at private schools care understand the dynamics involved in these scores.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 11:31     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?


Why does it have to accomplish anything? Parents make choices for their children. OP is questioning the potential impact. Good for OP.


Exactly! It's surprising how many people seem to reflexively support anything public school throw at them. "Just a test" "The won't be scarred". I don't know... I guess I aim higher for my kids' educational experiences than just not being scarred!!

There should be informed decision making for parents on PARCC and many other things that impact their child's education. Perhaps too much to expect out of a public school system in this country these days? I would hope not...


Why do you think testing is at odds with or at the expense of aiming higher for your kid's educational experience? And how can you know you are actually aiming higher if you don't have any consistent baseline or means of assessing what your kids are getting out of their educational experience?


OP here. This is silly. I've said repeatedly that WE ARE NOT AGAINST STANDARDIZED TESTING!!!

PARCC IS A MESS RIGHT NOW. Teachers won't be evaluated on it this year, but results WILL appear in our kids' files. That can be a problem for some.

Pretty easy to understand.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 09:06     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?


Why does it have to accomplish anything? Parents make choices for their children. OP is questioning the potential impact. Good for OP.


Exactly! It's surprising how many people seem to reflexively support anything public school throw at them. "Just a test" "The won't be scarred". I don't know... I guess I aim higher for my kids' educational experiences than just not being scarred!!

There should be informed decision making for parents on PARCC and many other things that impact their child's education. Perhaps too much to expect out of a public school system in this country these days? I would hope not...


Why do you think testing is at odds with or at the expense of aiming higher for your kid's educational experience? And how can you know you are actually aiming higher if you don't have any consistent baseline or means of assessing what your kids are getting out of their educational experience?
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 09:04     Subject: Re:Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, it's a total of 6 days of testing btwn Mar and May - not "a day". And I don't recall saying I was worried they'd be "scarred".

Even though the tests are being downplayed by teachers, the results still appear in their files, per our Principal. If we decide we want to send them to private, or move to another country (a possibility for us), these scores follow them.

Our principal has been pretty clear from what I've heard that they will not put much stock in results this year. But the results do follow them. For some people, that might matter.


It is not more than the DC CAS was:



Not sure where you get that impression. Our principal says DC cas took 4 days total -- this takes 6 days total OF ACTUAL TESTING -- split btwn Mar and May.

It is more than the DC cas. But that isn't even the point. PARCC is a mess. And the kids aren't ready for fully computer based assessment.


That's what the school takes - that's not what each individual student takes. Schools typically test a group of students at a time.
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 08:04     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?


Why does it have to accomplish anything? Parents make choices for their children. OP is questioning the potential impact. Good for OP.


Exactly! It's surprising how many people seem to reflexively support anything public school throw at them. "Just a test" "The won't be scarred". I don't know... I guess I aim higher for my kids' educational experiences than just not being scarred!!

There should be informed decision making for parents on PARCC and many other things that impact their child's education. Perhaps too much to expect out of a public school system in this country these days? I would hope not...
Anonymous
Post 02/02/2015 07:58     Subject: Re:Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, it's a total of 6 days of testing btwn Mar and May - not "a day". And I don't recall saying I was worried they'd be "scarred".

Even though the tests are being downplayed by teachers, the results still appear in their files, per our Principal. If we decide we want to send them to private, or move to another country (a possibility for us), these scores follow them.

Our principal has been pretty clear from what I've heard that they will not put much stock in results this year. But the results do follow them. For some people, that might matter.


It is not more than the DC CAS was:



Not sure where you get that impression. Our principal says DC cas took 4 days total -- this takes 6 days total OF ACTUAL TESTING -- split btwn Mar and May.

It is more than the DC cas. But that isn't even the point. PARCC is a mess. And the kids aren't ready for fully computer based assessment.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 13:05     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?


Why does it have to accomplish anything? Parents make choices for their children. OP is questioning the potential impact. Good for OP.


What "impact" - it's just a test, one out of many that kids will inevitably end up taking. It's not going to scar anyone for life - if anything, it's good test-taking prep for PSAT, SAT and other things later on in life.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2015 12:04     Subject: Re:Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
NP here. I share OP's concerns. It's very odd that these PARRC scores are going into students' files, even though it's been decided that the PARRC is new, so teachers should not be held accountable.

Anyone have info on PARRC opt out procedure? Has anyone opted out of the DC CAS?
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:47     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?


Why does it have to accomplish anything? Parents make choices for their children. OP is questioning the potential impact. Good for OP.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 19:10     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Sorry, what do you mean PP? I guess that there are other ways kids get tested?

This is an honest question about whether the scores go on transcripts and stay with the child. Anyone else have input?
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 18:48     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Anonymous wrote:Though other threads say they are used for admission to test in schools and private schools since they appear on a transcript.


Well then my kid with a sky high IQ and great SSAT scores is screwed.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 18:36     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
Though other threads say they are used for admission to test in schools and private schools since they appear on a transcript.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2015 18:36     Subject: Opting out of PARCC testing in DC?
What do you think opting out will accomplish? What does it serve?