Seattle Superintendent threatens punitive actions against boycotting teachers: a Seattle teacher responds, others around the country write letters in protest | Seattle Education:
by seattleducation2011
There has been a request for information on how to opt out of the MAP test in Seattle. To follow is an update of a post that Sue wrote in 2010 on opting your student out of the test.
To opt-out of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP®) test, parents/guardians need to write a short e-mail or letter to their child’s principal, teachers, and MAP administrator (often the school librarian) before the testing period begins, stating that they want their child to be exempt for that session.
No explanation is required. Parents/guardians can request that their child be allowed to read quietly or do homework during testing time instead.
Some schools require a separate opt-out letter for each MAP® testing session (fall, winter and spring), so that can mean sending the same note two-three times a year.
–sue p.
by seattleducation2011
Yesterday a letter was sent to all of the public schools in Seattle from Paul Apostle, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, requiring that the letter be read to all teachers on staff.
To follow is the body of the letter:
Dear Principals,
I am writing today to help provide support and guidance around the recent issue of certain teachers refusing to administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment to our students.
We ask that each principal by the end of the school day provide a clear directive to all administrative and teaching staff that the MAP assessment must be administered to students of tested subjects on the timeline established by you, their building administrator. State law requires that teachers implement a course of study in accordance with District directives. Administering the MAP to students of tested subjects is a District directive.
If a teacher refuses to administer the MAP assessment after a clear direction by you, such conduct is considered insubordination. When a staff member engages in insubordination, such action will lead to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in School Board Policy 5281 Staff Disciplinary Action and Discharge.