Anti-Common Core activists push for 200,000 test refusals
Updated: 03/17/2015 9:26 AM
Created: 03/17/2015 12:02 AM WNYT.com
By: Anna Meiler
Created: 03/17/2015 12:02 AM WNYT.com
By: Anna Meiler
ALBANY - Common Core based tests are just around the corner and a local assemblyman is joining parents and educators in the fight against what they call high-stakes testing by introducing new legislation.
Concerned parents in the Shenendehowa school district say high-stakes testing is hurting their children's education.
“My child’s education is in no way benefiting from sitting for 540 minutes taking a state assessment every year,” said Deborah Clark.
Many complain classroom focus has shifted from creative learning to test prep- so that students, grades three through eight, don't fail the standardized math and ELA tests held every April. Briana Bays has already notified her children's schools that they will not be taking the tests this year.
“My youngest learns very artistically, hands-on, creative, my son learns with reading, my oldest learns when she writes things out. Each one learns differently. With Common Core, they’re being forced to do test prep and learn in one way. It’s not fair to the children, it’s not fair to the teachers and it’s not fair to the parents,” said Bays.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco says parents of 60,000 students refused the tests last year. He says if more parents do the same, they could make a difference.
“If we can get close to 200,000 parents to refuse, I think we can stall this whole process and at least reform the testing part of it,” said Tedisco.
So, he's introducing new legislation called the Common Core Parental Refusal Act.
“With this bill you can not only have your child refuse, they can refuse without penalty, they wouldn’t have to sit and stare in a class, they would be doing academic work, teachers couldn’t be penalized or rewarded and school districts couldn’t be penalized or rewarded,” said Assemblyman Jim Tedisco.
“I think more parents would do it. They wouldn’t be afraid to rock the boat,” said Clark.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco will be holding a press conference at the legislative office building at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. NewsChannel 13 will bring you the latest.WNYT.com - Anti-Common Core activists push for 200,000 test refusals:
