The Opt Out movement is spreading like wildfire. It is led by parents, not unions, though some union locals have voted to honor the wishes of parents. Parents understand that the tests are designed to fail most children. They understand that test prep and testing are stealing time from instruction. They aren’t commanded by anyone. They are listening to their children
This message was written by Bob Schaeffer of FairTest:
Normally, FairTest sends out these news clips summaries once a week, early each Tuesday afternoon. With school standardized exam season now in full gear, however, the flow of stories about testing resistance and reform actions is accelerating rapidly. This special edition — with updates from more than half the 50 states over just three days — reports on the first, too-modest steps by policy makers across the U.S. to respond to the growing grassroots pressure for assessment reform.
As more students opt out, parents demonstrate, school board members pass resolutions and polls show strong public opposition to test misuse and overuse, we are confident that there will be many more updates by next Tuesday and in the coming weeks.
Remember that back-issues of “Testing Resistance & Reform News” are archived at: http://fairtest.org/news/other
National Revolt Against High-Stakes Testing is Growing: So Is Its Impact
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/03/19/revolt-against-high-stakes-standardized-testing-growing-and-so-does-its-impact/
Arizona School Test Cheating Investigated
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2015/03/arizona_middle_school_fudging_test_scores_investigation_reveals.php
California Tests Graded by Non-Educators
http://www.kcra.com/news/whos-grading-your-kids-assessment-test-in-california/31857614
Colorado Educators Blast Weak Education Reform Bill
Colorado Schools Need Less Testing, More Teaching
http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2015/mar/17/our-view-less-testing-more-teaching/
Connecticut Superintendents Say Students Can Opt Out of Tests, No “Sit and Stare”
http://jonathanpelto.com/2015/03/17/victory-in-ct-parents-can-opt-students-out-of-sbac-tests-students-will-be-provided-alternative-location/
Florida Teacher Urges Parents to Stand Up Against New State Exams
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/clay-county-teacher-speaks-out-against-fsa/nkXyx/#__federated=1
Florida House Unanimously Endorses Small Reduction in Testing Overkill
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150318/ARTICLES/150319542/-1/guardian
Georgia Parents Launch Opt-Out Drive
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/parents-refuse-let-children-take-standardized-test/nkZLr/
Illinois Students Opt Out of PARCC Tests
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/news/ct-parcc-test-walkout-rolling-meadows-hersey-tl-20150317-story.html
Indiana State School Board Member Offers Ideas to Cut Testing Time
http://indianapublicmedia.org/stateimpact/2015/03/18/state-board-education-releases-resolution-cut-testing-time-students/
Louisiana Opt Outs Top 4,000
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/louisiana-news/new-orleans-news/item/843908-louisiana-common-core-test-opt-outs-top-4100-still-1-of-total
Maryland State Senate Votes Unanimous Approval of Test Review Commission
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2015/19199.shtml
Massachusetts Schools Deal with PARCC, Pearson and Pushback
http://www.progressive.org/news/2015/03/188048/p-parcc-pearson-and-pushback
Teachers Say PARCC Is Failing Students and Schools
http://patch.com/massachusetts/framingham/letter-editor-parcc-failing-teachers-and-students-0
Michigan Testing Politics Adds Stress for Students and Teachers
Common Core means three tests in three years for Michigan kids
Minnesota Assessment Reform Depends in Part on Federal Law Changes
http://www.dglobe.com/news/3701236-school-testing-changes-tough-sell
Minnesota Students Face Too Much Testing
Mississippi Ends Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/03/20/miss-ends-testing-requirement-diploma/25082065/
Mississippi Parents, Students Protest PARCC Tests
http://www.wjtv.com/story/28563545/parents-protest-parcc-test-in-rankin-county
New Hampshire Students Administered Wrong Smarter Balanced Assessment
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150318/NEWS04/150319083
New Jersey Furor Over Test Privacy
http://www.northjersey.com/news/new-furor-over-n-j-tests-as-student-privacy-concerns-raised-1.1290700
Concern Mounting About Pearson’s Role in Education
http://www.phillyvoice.com/concerns-rising-over-pearson/
New Mexico Educators Block Test-Based Teacher Evaluation Bill
http://www.daily-times.com/four_corners-news/ci_27732207/new-mexico-dems-flunk-bill-put-student-test
New Mexico Teachers Not Allowed to “Disparage” Standardized Tests
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2015/03/nm-defending-test.html
New York Is Testing Public Education to Death
http://www.blackagendareport.com/node/14720
New York Must Clear Up Mystery of Missing Test Items
Ohio High School Students Opt Out of New Tests
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/03/some_high_school_students_opt_out_of_new_tests_on_americas_founding_fathers_and_documents.html
Ohio School District Blasts PARCC Exam
http://www.xeniagazette.com/news/home_top/152309446/Xenia-not-thrilled-with-PARCC
Oregon Schools Begin Testing Under Protests; More Families Opt Out
http://www.pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/253902-123219-testing-testing-under-protest-pps-assesses-students-some-parents-opt-out
Scores From New Oregon Test Will Not Be Used on School Report Cards
http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/254361-124343-bill-new-test-wont-count-on-school-report-cards-teacher-evaluations
Pennsylvania’s PARCC Tests Benefit Pearson, Not Pupils
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/03/letter_standardized_parcc_exam.html
Rhode Island Parents Mobilizing Against New Standardized Test
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150314/News/150319530
Tennessee Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose School Closings Based on Test Scores
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poll-tennessee-voters-overwhelmingly-agree-public-schools-should-not-be-closed-based-solely-on-state-tests-300052573.html
Texas State Senate Overwhelmingly Endorses Bill Easing Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/texas-senate-oks-bill-easing-testing-ultimatum-for/nkYRm/
Utah’s New Civics Test Will Waste Student Learning Time
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2302893-155/letter-new-civics-test-will-waste
Wisconsin Senate Endorses Suspension of School Consequences From Test Scores
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/education/2015/03/17/state-senate-endorses-school-test-score-delay/24909695/
No Child Left Behind Fails to Work “Miracles” — Spurs Cheating
http://theconversation.com/no-child-left-behind-fails-to-work-miracles-spurs-cheating-38620
Ditch the Test and Punish Model: AFT President
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/does-no-child-left-behinds-testing-regime-work/ditch-the-test-and-punish-model
What if “Education Reform” Movement Got It All Wrong?
http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/what-if-education-reform-got-it-all-wrong-in-the-first-place
More Testing Promoted as the “Rational Solution” for Schools: That’s the Problem
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2015/03/19/more-testing-is-the-rational-solution-for-schools-thats-the-problem/
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 fax- (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Good News. Thanks, FairTest your work gives a bigger picture and hope to activists.
As a private citizen, from the privacy of my own home during non-employment hours, I say this: I support the right of parents to advocate for their children in any which way they deem to benefit the welfare and safety of their children in any aspect.
That is a parent’s and citizen’s right.
More power to parent power and local autonomy.
Unions need to embrace and enfranchise parents.
Education can be a philosophical debate, and parents have every right to have a voice and power in the policy making, whether by legislative process or other peaceful means they deem appropriate.
It’s too bad policy makers have not included parents in general and in a meaningful, purposeful and robust way.
Remember them?
Does the hubris EVER stop??????
Robert,
Good question! My answer: Not for the oligarchy! They make $$$$$ doing harm to our public education, which I consider sacred, and only $$$$$ talks to them.
Please note that students in PA are not taking the PARCC test. The opinion piece published on Lehigh Valley Live was written by a New Jersey resident.
Policy makers were able to ignore or marginalize teachers in favor of lobbyists and corporations. Maybe they got so cocky that they forgot who the real authority is…parents.
Arrogance breeds contempt. For the last 13 years those in power thought they knew what was best for us plebes. I truly believe that now those in power will change their tune. Public education is where democracy starts in this nation. School boards are the training ground for democratic action. Yes, elected boards make errors, but I accept the messiness of democracy. As Mr. Churchill once said (and I paraphrase): Democracy is one of the worst forms of government except for all the others.
It will not be news to readers of this blog, but thought this Pacific Standard article would be worthwhile to share around: “What If Education Reform Got It All Wrong in the First Place?” http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/what-if-education-reform-got-it-all-wrong-in-the-first-place
Oh, whoops, I just noticed that this article was actually in FairTest’s list. Never mind!
That’s ok. I would have missed it otherwise. A GREAT article and a MUST READ.
“But what if it turned out that education reform, with its teacher-blaming assumptions, got it all wrong in the first place? That’s the conclusion being drawn by a growing number of researchers who, armed with a mountain of fresh evidence, argue that 30 years of test scores have not measured a decline in America’s public schools, but are rather a metric of the country’s child poverty—the worst among developed nations—and the broadening divide of income inequality.”
“The most striking takeaway, was that the students that need the least in this country, who are already coming in with every possible privilege and advantage, are getting the most resources.”
It’s not a question of “What if. . . ?”
We already know they have it all wrong.
Thank you, Fair Test, and thank you, Diane, for your opening comments.
As a teacher, I find it both exhilarating and extraordinarily frustrating to see parents taking the lead everywhere — but without what should be the natural mobilized support of teachers’ organizations (ie, our unions). This occurs in the same scenario where teachers increasingly are beat down, disempowered, and in too many cases looking for paths out of the profession in which they belong.
Until/unless our unions pick up on the spirit and realities of the kind of unionism our Chicago sister and brothers have modeled for us, our unions will increasingly be bypassed by the parents and community activists who have taken the lead in our battle.
Forward to the schools — and the world — that all of our children deserve. Hats off to all of those who are coming together to make this their — our — life’s work. There is no richer way to live in 2015. And you, Diane, play an invaluable role in connecting us with one another, and pointing ways forward. Merci!
kippdawson, I agree with you. But, sadly, putting a “union” stamp on the opt-out movement would only give the pro-testing crowd another opportunity to blame unions for all educational problems. They, along with a shrill segment of politicians, have already managed to turn many voters against unions. Time will prove the value of unionized teachers, but right now I am thrilled to see parents and taxpayers taking the lead on this testing insanity.
It’s a sad fact that teachers and their unions have been unfairly stereotyped as self-serving. But, it’s also true that when parents start organizing and advocating in support of teachers and public educatoin, legislators of all stripes pay attention. It’s certainly happening right now in NYS.
Parents are the best and last line of defense. Teachers can be accused of representing their own interests. Parents have the right to defend what they feel is best for their children. Email as many friends as you can to spread the word that corporations along with government compliance want to destroy democratic, public education.
Sharon, very true. I am a 25 year veteran teacher who actually won teacher-of-the-year award in my district. For that I get some credit. But as soon as I let someone know that I am also the Teacher’s Union Representative in my building, I might hear the old “protect bad teachers” line. I am the same person. As such, I want what is best for kids.
Our union actually works well with the administration. The balance is necessary. The administration has ways to work with sub-par teachers, and the union has ways to work on sub-par principal issues.
Retired Teacher–parents, yes–best defense. And we retired teachers, here, are helping (can’t get fired!). Most rewarding to pass out opt out facts on public sidewalks in front of schools before & after school, & have active teachers come up, hig you & say, “Thank you SO much for doing this!” One Special Ed. T.A. also told me that she was so glad we were doing this–she worked w/the autistic students who, she said, “Should NEVER have to take these tests!” (In Chicago & ILL-Annoy, everyone has been told that the STUDENT must verbally refuse the PARCC–I was told the story of one autistic student who was attempting to refuse, but could not get the words out. Last I heard, he was made to take the test.)
And–in conjunction w/Kris’ comment, if it had not been for our union local, ALL of the sp.ed. kids in our K-8 district would have been put into gen. ed. classes, or “total” inclusion, even if that were not the most educationally appropriate environment for them. We filed a grievance to stop this (it had to be based on a contract violation RE: teachers’ job description–couldn’t be filed on behalf of the kids). This went all the way through the chain-of-command–to the school board. They were furious, & demanded that the special education director (purposely not capitalizing that position–not worthy, in this case!) cease & desist immediately! Thus, children were spared–both those in the self-contained classes & those in gen.ed.
But it took the union to get it done.
Dear Retired, Thank you so much! Each child, in special or general education, is a unique individual with individual needs. Teachers are the professionals who work with the kids and know how, and where, to best serve them. Kids also deserve an inspiring, energetic teacher who is not pounded with pointless and mean-spirited demands. That is why we negotiate contracts.
When my district adopted a new reading program, I saw that parts of it were worthless and said so. I got a personal visit from administrators and the publisher’s representative to “correct” my misbehavior. Meanwhile, my students continued to develop reading skills and even enjoy reading. Thank you, teacher’s union for standing with me through this. It was the kids who benefitted.
How many students have to opt out before schools will stop test prep?
Time to let ALL taxpayers know just how much $$$ (taxpayer $$$ all) is being WASTED on te$t$ & prep$ &, especially, ju$t how much of this i$ going to Pear$on.
Reenact the Manhattan 2011 Pear$on “Field Trip” led by Class Size Matters–400 came, many children dressed as Pineapples (that was the year of “The Pineapple ?”).
Surely we all can prote$t at ALL Pear$on campu$e$ near our citie$ & town$, with even more than 400! Let EVERYONE know how much of their state education funding is used on this useless CCRAP. (In ILL-Annoy, $34 million in the te$ting budget, so state officials said that districts could spend $9 more per student to take the paper-&-pencil tests if they were worried about computer glitches{!} Also in the mix, a 4-year/$160 million contact w/Pear$on.
No wonder ILL-Annoy “is broke.”