"Parents have very limited time to “opt-out” of the PSSAs that begin on Monday. If you are thinking about it, start writing your email after reading this blog post.
If you aren’t sure you want to opt-out of the PSSAs, then a longer blog
post about the topic might appeal to you. But for those of you that are on the
fence, see this local blog written and managed by Jessie Ramey, Ph.D. for more
information. Her blog has more than one entry regarding PSSAs as well as links
to FAQ and other organizations, including one entirely devoted to
opting-out.
In
Mt Lebanon, opting out may require slightly different responsibilities depending
on your school principal. At the very least, you need to send an email
indicating that you would like to opt your child out of the testing for
“religious reasons." You may want to CC the superintendent. At the elementary
level, CC your child’s teacher and Mary Beth Irvin.
Some principals may
state that the PDE requires you come into the building to review the materials,
even if you state that you have opted out before and that seeing the materials
will not influence you to change your mind. Other principals state that you do
not have to come into the school.
What your child gets to do in his/her
free time away from the testing is also variable. Some students stay home during
the testing period but for working parents this is not necessarily a desirable
option. Students who go to school may spend time in the library. The testing
hours are very long as the students get older. Things like band practice are
scheduled for after school hours because of the time devoted to testing.
You
might wonder why parents want to opt-out…in brief, let’s just say that if the
test requires a “throw-up” protocol that involves salvaging the answers that
have already been answered by the stressed out student by a team of school
employees, maybe the test and the hours/curriculum/expense/corporate
development/school climate/pressure associated with it are questionable."
Update April 9, 2015 9:56 AM Email to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission concerning bagging tests due to blood or vomit, and other observations during the PSSA testing window.
Update April 10, 2015 8:50 AM Look beyond just test scores when choosing district
Update April 9, 2015 9:56 AM Email to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission concerning bagging tests due to blood or vomit, and other observations during the PSSA testing window.
Update April 10, 2015 8:50 AM Look beyond just test scores when choosing district
“Ultimately, our view was that we don’t want to be in a school district that is completely driven by test scores,” said Iriti, a faculty fellow in the University of Pittsburgh’s Learning Research and Development Center. “That type of reading and math does not equate to a person being ready to be out in the world. Those tests measure a slice, but not all of the most important things.”
Elaine, thank you so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteI urge anyone interested in the Opt Out/Refuse movement to hook into the National Opt Out Network on Facebook. There, you can get information and resources for how to opt out locally within your state. Additionally, individuals have set up websites in just about every state to support parents in this process.
This movement is one of the most significant in education over the past 10 years ... it is the beginning of the end of the testing industry - an unholy corporate-government alliance designed to profit on kids and eliminate "teaching" and "learning" in the name of "achievement" and "rigor."
It is true, all states vary in laws - but in ALL states parents have the right to opt out. Additionally, believe it or not, Pennsylvania is one of the least restrictive to parents in terms of opting out.
If anyone tries to opt their child out of standardized testing and gets any resistance from local administrators -- document, document, document.
Many try fear and intimidation, but the law as well as all research and common sense on how the brain actually learns is on your side.
This highly-profitable child abuse industry -- the testing industry -- must and will be stopped.
- Jason M.
I hear you about the testing and parental choice to opt out, but comparing test taking to child abuse is comical at best.
ReplyDeleteAs one who taught in a post-secondary school for 23 years, and as one who sent three children through the "public" schools, I have some thoughts concerning standardized testing.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me be clear: Testing is a normal life process. In fact, we are all "tested" each and every day, and even use that word in casual conversation (..he really tested my patience!). In an academic setting, testing is absolutely essential if one is to measure how much information a student has absorbed and, in my opinion, how well he or she can apply that information to novel situations. The question is not, therefore, the usefulness of tests but whether a "one size fits all" test is a valid instrument across a range of student aptitudes. In advanced programs designed for people of some maturity, wherein those people have been "pre-seeded," an argument may be made for standardized testing. But for the immature, whose rates of learning vary greatly across both age and background, a standardized test is little more than a "work reduction tool" for the educational establishment.
I am particularly concerned with the "rate of learning" that one sees in young people. As many of you know, not all kids are created equal! Some are quick studies; some plod along; some are "late bloomers" (me, for instance). But the Prussian model school system that is the standard model in America does not properly accommodate variation. The sad fact is that public schools are not designed for young learners; they are designed for old teachers and administrators. Nor are the public schools sensible to the predilections and/or aptitudes of young people as they progress through the system. Many a school has forced an aspiring electrician into a college program for no other reason than to make its college placement figures "look good."
Of course, standardized testing of elementary and secondary students is an attempt to correct America's abysmal educational standing amongst the nations of the world. And we don't have to go afield to see the results of that standing; our colleges and universities have large numbers of foreign students and professors who come to the United States to avail themselves of what are still superior research facilities at many of our universities, then go back to their own nations. It is understandable that our state and federal "leaders" are concerned and want to do something to address the situation. However, as long as the "public education" model exists as it is I doubt that little improvement will be seen.
Side note: Innovation and accommodation in education is more likely to be seen in private than public schools. You may not be aware of it, but the Supreme Court of the United States, although confirming a state's right to require that children must be educated, denied the right of a state to require its children to attend public schools (see Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510.). Unfortunately, as of this writing, one must still pay taxes for public schools whether one uses them or not.
More incredible testimony against high stakes testing in PA from a wide range of groups, politicians, etc.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.irrc.state.pa.us/docs/2976/RELATED/2976%2011-21-13%20PUBLIC%20MEETING%20TESTIMONY.pdf
Disagree with 10:02am. The pressure and stress placed on kids, particularly young kids, to "sit and deliver" is a form of emotional and mental child abuse... again, particularly for elementary kids. It is robbing their childhood: kids learn through play, relationships, and making mistakes.
ReplyDelete- Jason M.
I know for a fact that some kids in my son's school believe they will be held back in school or not be able to leave Elementary school if they don't do well on the test. Where is this coming from? Someone is putting that idea in their heads, right? 3rd graders shouldnt be worried like that!
ReplyDelete10:02 while you made some good points, having a mind-set public education will never change will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I do not want PE to change to a nation full of private-only schools depriving some children of a education with no state or federal responsibility. I have no doubt some of our nation's leaders do not grasp the concept of poverty or how far the middle-class must stretch a dollar rather than inflate it. Simply, some children would go without.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jason for the most part. The pressure and hype to the students start months before testing creating extreme anxiety in many cases. Some students only look forward to PSSA testing due to the extra treats provided and the no homework policy. If asked, they do not like taking the test, do not care about the test and would rather not take it.
Children compare scores and already have their guesses of who will do the best and who will do the worst. Either way, children feel as if they must meet a standard rather than acceptance of an individual.
It disturbs me when testing is compared to child abuse as an absolute. If you really believe that, even if philosophically, you maybe don't understand the devastations of severe child abuse and the lifelong damage it can ensue both emotionally and cognitively. Though, I do respect your opinion on this.
Home-school parents have described to me PE is akin to jail and child abuse. I don't think children are tied to chairs anymore nor have their hands smacked by a ruler. I do agree testing takes away from instructional time and free play is underestimated in a child's education and cognitive development. My child does enjoy school and I do not think it is like serving a prison term.
As an assessment specialist in the medical field I can confidently say any kind of testing is only a momentary snapshot in time. Testing in this arena is paramount for a correct diagnosis, a useful tool to assess improvement or decline and helpful with medical intervention. This can range from learning disorders, traumatic brain injury (concussions - yes, concussions are the mildest form of traumatic brain injury, SAB) , dementia or affects of cancer treatment.
In education settings, IMO, the results of a test only prove that one can successfully perform on that particular test. Standardized tests, such as the PSSA are at best a mediocre indicator test taking ability, attained knowledge and at its least achievement. Children learn via different methods. Perhaps a child learns best through visual, auditory or tactile means. Standardized testing does not account for these differences in learning. A child with a disability such as Autism or ADD may simply become frustrated, tired or careless and will randomly fill in the "bubbles". In these cases one cannot truly use the tests results with dependable accuracy (as an example).
Luckily, we parents currently have a choice.
Jason, upon re reading your post I wanted clarify one point I made. I do not think testing equates directly to child abuse. I do agree, publishers of childhood testing products is big business that takes advantage of our education system and children. Politicians or otherwise unqualified individuals with different motivations make these decisions. Not educators. Taking advantage is unfair and could be abuse of power. Doing so unscrupulously is most definitely abuse of children and parents' trust.
ReplyDeleteRumor has it that students opting out of PSSA exams may be denied enrollment in advanced placement courses even though otherwise qualified - anyone have any first hand knowledge on this and the possible reasons ?
ReplyDeleteThis article is about how testing is a $2 BILLION per year industry:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/03/30/report-big-education-firms-spend-millions-lobbying-for-pro-testing-policies/
Has anyone acquired about how many students were told to stay home and not take the test this year? We surely don't want a few students dragging down the rest.
ReplyDeleteI just ran into a child in my neighborhood who has opted out in previous years. She is very bright (gifted). I said, "Well, I bet you opted out this year", as the tests begin this week. To which she replied, "Well, I don't go to Mt Lebanon anymore...".
ReplyDeleteHer parents switched her to a school that doesn't obsess over standardized test scores.