Opting out of state tests has costs for Ohio students, schools
Parent groups have sprouted throughout the state — and central Ohio — to protest the new state exams aligned with Common Core standards.
But parents say there has been a lot of confusion about whether they can keep their kids from taking the tests.
Here’s the rub: Students and their parents can opt out of state testing, but there are consequences for their teachers and for some students if they do.
Lisa Riegel recently held a meeting with Olentangy schools officials and 30 other parents after a Facebook exchange on the subject generated more than 200 comments, many of which included misinformation.
“There was a lot of half-fiction and half-truths,” she said.
Also at the meeting were an Ohio Education Association representative and state Rep. Andrew Brenner of Powell, who introduced a bill on Thursday that would limit end-of-course exams to no more than three hours beginning next school year. It also calls for the state to identify alternatives to the high-school end-of-course exams next year.
Brenner, a Republican, also co-sponsored a bill that would limit testing time beginning next school year to no more than four hours per subject.
Several districts, including Columbus, Upper Arlington and Worthington, have reported that parents excused a total of dozens of students from state testing.
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Parents echo many of the concerns raised by school leaders and Opting out of state tests has costs for Ohio students, schools | The Columbus Dispatch:
Parents echo many of the concerns raised by school leaders and Opting out of state tests has costs for Ohio students, schools | The Columbus Dispatch:
