Jill Osler, a parent in Nebraska, wrote the following statement:
Parents Can Take a Stand Against Testing
Almost one year ago, I wrote an editorial stating my belief that high-stakes standardized testing is not necessary for, and even detrimental to learning. Teachers feel pressure to spend large amounts of instructional time preparing students for Ne-SA tests—which robs students of authentic learning opportunities while killing natural curiosity and passion for learning. No educational research supports standardized testing, yet districts must administer Ne-SA to comply with No Child Left Behind.
What can I do? This past year, I have contacted the Nebraska Board of Education, our former Commissioner, senators on the Education Committee, Nebraska State Education Association, our Governor, Secretary of Education, President, two school lawyers, and met with my state senator. I learned I cannot wait for the government and politicians to do what is best for kids.
Therefore, we are choosing to exercise our parental right to opt our children out of taking Ne-SA tests. I can no longer speak strongly against these tests, and then support them as I tell our children to do their best on them.
Is it possible to opt out? It is stated on page 27 of the Nebraska Department of Education’s Update: Standards, Assessment, Accountability 2013-2014, that parents or guardians can make a formal written request to the district that their student be removed from testing. No reason is required.
How will opting out affect our school? NCLB states that if fewer than 95% of a district’s students take Ne-SA, the district will not make Adequate Yearly Progress. However, I am doubtful any district will make AYP, because this year 100% of students are required to be proficient in Ne-SA Reading and Math. This is another reason I feel the time is right to opt out.
How will opting out affect our children? Our principal assures us they will never feel punished. On the Ne-SA results, our children will show a score of zero—which will not impact grades, future schooling, or graduation.
What will our children do during Ne-SA testing? We identified activities they could do independently, so direct supervision is not required. They are prepared to respond if peers ask why they are not participating.
It is up to us, as parents, to stand up for what is best for children. It is nothing personal against our school or state; it is a much larger issue. We love our school and state, however, we love our children more.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thank you, Jill.
Reblogged this on David R. Taylor-Thoughts on Texas Education.
I semi-opted out by removing one of my kids from school and homeschooling him. I went in to the homeschooling with some intense curriculum research, my eyes open and had a plan B and a plan C if it didn’t go well. Not only is it going well, it’s amazing to see a child flourish, try hard, dive into things they are interested in, want to share everything they do with you, be creative and inquisitive! But alas, that is surely not an option for the vast majority of parents, and it leaves two of my children still in public school and I am unsure on how to proceed. Evidence shows that I’m a capable teacher and can seek out whatever resources my kids will need and they would learn much more if I bring them home. But that is sort of like ignoring what is going on in public school and society. It makes me think of the Martin Niemoller quote: “First they came for the socialists…” as I could stay home, stop reading the news (and edu-bloggers) and stop participating in the discussion. But how soon before they come after homeschoolers and require I teach-to-test and make my kids take the state tests and revoke my parental rights if they don’t like the scores?
Congratulations on your success home schooling and thank you for “participating in the discussion.” Unfortunately, David Coleman, the “architect” of the Common Core now heads the College Board which produces the SAT. This means the SAT (which, along with the ACT, is still required for admission to most colleges) will be aligned with CCSS. They have managed to create a full-proof business plan that reels in families like yours who choose an alternate educational setting (private or home school). The good news is there are many colleges who no longer require the SAT or ACT for admission and that list should continue to grow.
Dear Ms. Osler, Please find some support in the following.
“Almost one year ago, I wrote an editorial stating my belief that high-stakes standardized testing is not necessary for, and even detrimental to learning.”–Jill Osler
“I believe the testing of student’s achievements in order to see if he meets some criterion held by the teacher, is directly contrary to the implications of therapy for significant learning.”– Carl Rogers
You and Rogers are correct. But such thinking can endanger a large cash flow. And they are fighting back. Look at the following video, three and a half minutes of animated belittlement of Carl Rogers and his above sentence, posted on YouTube twenty-five years after his death.
Like word games? Find the one word in the sentence above that is missing from the animated version. I believe that the word was “redacted” because if googled with the name “Carl Rogers,” the result would make one wonder what kind of person would want to block serious consideration of issue of such importance,
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The little cartoon man says that he has been making his point since 1969. An inside joke, that was the year his “Freedom to Learn” was published. “Freedom to Learn for The 80s” came out in 1983.
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interesting