No opt out: Are schools forgetting it is parents who are in charge?
Common Core has rightfully started becoming a hot topic of discussion around the water cooler among many parents across the state. For those who might not hang out at the water cooler, Common Core is a set of language arts (reading, writing, spelling, and grammar) and math learning expectations. They were set for every grade, for every school in the nation and mandated for implementation for the 2014-2015 school year. However, the even bigger debate these days seems to be opting out of standardized testing, which in many schools has just begun, or will begin next week.
Common Core and standardized testing go hand in hand. In public schools in Wisconsin, one cannot happen without the other. After Common Core was mandated, school officials and politicians were left wondering about accountability. Since Common Core was never piloted or tested before being implemented, those in charge of our public school system had to figure out away of knowing if and how it was working with students and teachers across the country. Educational Testing Service (ETS) paired with Common Core and wrote standardized assessments for each grade level. ETS specializes in college entrance exams; writing K-12 assessments was a new venture for the testing service and it showed in the flaws in their systems. They wrote two assessments, Smarter Balance Assessment (SBA) – however, in Wisconsin the SBA was renamed the Badger Assessment – and Partnership for Assessment of College and Careers (PARCC), both of which help identify the “readiness” of K-12 students for college and career based on the standards and implementation of Common Core.
However, there is a big push by several groups across the nation for parents to opt their child(ren) out of the assessments. Many parents have identified the assessments as not being ready (This is true. The SBA was held back several weeks while many key issues were worked out of the system.). There is also concern that the testing system (which is entirely computer based, often expecting even young children to scroll, cut, paste, highlight and utilize other computer skills which are often lacking until middle or high school) goes against data backing learning strategies. The assessments are often promoting “test-driven education” that does not meet the individual needs of students. In many classrooms, teachers are given curriculum materials that teach to the test and emphasize test taking skills. There are more concerns from parents at the United Opt Out website.
The biggest issue becoming more prevalent, however, is public schools refusing to allow parents to opt their child out of taking the test, or refusing to allow their child to participate in the assessment. Schools are actually telling parents, “No. You do not have permission to pull your child from taking this test. We will not give you permission to parent your child, we will tell you and your child what will happen in their school day.”
Public schools are seeming to forget that parents get the final say in what their children are or are not doing in school, not the school. Schools seem to be forgetting that parents pay taxes, which fund schools, which give parents power to say no to certain lessons, tests, or topics in schools. Schools seem to forget that children belong to parents, not to schools. If a parent does not want their child participating in the assessment, it is their fundamental right to say no. But beware, as some parents are finding out, some schools will bully you into giving up. Some schools will threaten with non-issues, or make your child “sit and stare” if they opt out. “Sit and stare” is where your child will be forced to sit during the duration of the assessment (the length depends on the age) and stare at the paper covered walls (all classroom resources are covered as using them indicates cheating), doing absolutely nothing while their peers take the assessment. But, remember, it’s for the children.
It’s time parents take back their schools. Those with curiosity or concern can read more about SBA, Badger Exam or PARCC by simply googling the terms. There are even practice tests at different grade levels for anyone to practice or get a taste of what testing feels and looks like.No opt out: Are schools forgetting it is parents who are in charge? | Wisconsin Daily Independent:
