The movement to opt out of state testing is spreading in Néw York. State leaders are threatening parents and schools with loss of funding; teachers are threatened with disciplinary action if they encourage parents.
PARENTS, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED.
It is your choice.
If everyone stands together, the petty tyrants in Albany can’t do anything.
Here is an email from a parent in Long Island:
*****
I want to make you aware of a movement happening on Long Island, NY.
The NYS ELA standardized tests are are set to begin this Tuesday, and there are many parents who are choosing to opt their children out of the tests.
NYSED is trying to bully the schools into bullying the parents by saying that schools will lose funding if more than 5% op out. Some districts are playing along with the state, but many are cooperating with parents and making accommodations for children who will not take the test. One district even issued a resolution condemning the tests. Isn’t that great?
It would be great if you and your readers would support us. We are on Facebook at “Long Island Opt-out Info.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
BIG SHOUT OUT to Long Island Opt Out from Opt Out Orlando! You are a beacon for us down here in the dark. GO, Long Island! ROCK THE NATION!
Everyone – please tweet mainstream media and get the word out about the Long Island opt out – they have close to 7,000 members in their FB group now! They also have an amazing opt out guide – see here on our UOO post – http://unitedoptout.com/long-island-will-be-heard/ .
Hashtag for Long Island opt out is #LIriseUP
Is it true that schools lose funding if more than 5% opt out?
Actually, it is not true. There is a rule regarding losing funding if more than 5% of students do not take the test, but NYSED suspended that rule for three years with the implementation of the Common Core aligned tests. Even if we could lose funding, I truly believe that the public would not allow them to get away with it. As you can see, Long Island parents are becoming quite educated on the true intent of education reform.
There are OPT OUT groups forming all across the state of New York. Here is another facebook page to look for.
Opt Out of State Standardized Tests – New York
I wish we could somehow coordinate a opt out guide or is it really a state by state issue?
Many parents ask. I wonder if Parents Across America could coordintate.
I will investigate for my state.
I no longer teach a grade that is tested, but would also like to know how to get this ball rolling in CT. I wonder what DINO Dan and Mr. Pryor-ities would say.
I am from Long Island, and the movement here is fierce. I am so proud to stand up/opt out with everyone! What is going on in CT? My brother, who lives there, says all is quiet….Rise Up, CT!!!!
Maybe there could be a very general guide that would show a sample letter. But there are differences from state to state – For example, in SC, we actually have a code for parental refusal. Other states have opt out clauses. I am adapting the Long Island guide for SC and I think Orlando, Florida is working on one of their own. I also like the idea of a one page fact sheet for each state.
In my school district it is board policy that a student cannot walk the graduation stage unless he/she takes the Michigan Merit Exam. I’m not sure what happens at the elementary level.
That should be challenged in court. I do not believe they are allowed to do that. If the child passes everything to graduate, they should be able to walk unless there are major discipline issues that occur.
Oh, that student is allowed to graduate, just not walk the stage. We’ll simply mail the diploma to them. No one has challenged it because a large number of my students are ESL or have moved from one inner city school to the next.
Sorry here is the link for the NY state wide opt out page https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutNewYork/
The exams are used for middle school admissions in NYC. So opting out isn’t a good option for my daughter.
Yep, sadly, that’s correct. Unless ALL the kids refuse to take the test, the system is rigged with a built-in fail safe. So tragic.
How are the tests used for middle school admissions? Is this to get into certain programs or honors courses? Thanks.
NYC has certain middle schools that use competitive admissions.
Fourth-grade test scores aren’t just required by selective middle schools and honors programs. Quite a few of NYC’s 31 districts don’t have zoned middle schools, and test scores may be used for the admissions process.
Fifth-grade test scores are a requirement for applying to Hunter College HS, arguably the city’s most prestigious public school.
Last but not least, 7th grade scores are needed to apply to many sought-after non-SHSAT high schools like Beacon, Bard, ElRo, Townsend Harris, and Baruch.
Opting out is thus a non-starter for many NYC DOE families. The opt-out movement’s response to this seems to be that we should opt out anyway because it’s wrong and unfair to have academically screened programs. I’m not sure how these programs are morally inferior to living in a segregated district where real estate prices–influenced by years of redlining, non-existent enforcement of fair housing laws, and zoning laws meant to thwart the construction of dense and affordable housing–serve as a screen rather than test scores.
This is a good start, but we need to take more steps. Let’s consider nominating and electing green party and independent progressive candidates in our state that actually care about the future of public education. The two major parties except donations from large corporations and companies affiliated with Rhee & Gates. They have shown their willingness to sell away the souls of our children, teachers, and families. Until we stop electing them, there is only so much parents and educators can do.
PARENTS, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED
DAMN RIGHT! don’t let any administrator, superintendent, principal, ap, whatever intimidate you.
Don’t be afraid to give right back to them, IN SPADES!!!!!
I am a NYS parent. My child will be refusing the state tests. For those who do not live on the island, the fb group for the Hudson Valley is https://www.facebook.com/headsdownthumbsuppc.
I’m pasting and excellent letter you can send to your principal:
Dear Administrator,
Thank you for all that you do for our school.
I am writing to respectfully inform you that my child, (name), under my guardianship and advice, will be scored as a “refusal”, with a final score of “999” and a standard achieved code of 96, on all State testing including ELA, Math and Science as described in the NYS Student Information Repository System (SIRS) Manual on page 63. Please note that a “refusal” is not the same as “absent” as they are defined differently and scored with different standard achieved codes on page 63 of the SIRS Manual. Also note that on page 25 of the 2013 Edition School Administrator’s Manual it is explained that “The makeup dates are to be used for administering makeup tests to students who were ‘ABSENT’ during the designated administration dates.” My child will specifically be scored as a “refusal”, not “absent”, and therefore my child will continue to receive a free and appropriate public education in his/her regular classroom environment during the administration of all makeup test periods as this letter provides written verification of a “refusal” for all tests.
I would ask that the school please provide an alternative activity for my child during administrative sessions of testing (not makeup tests, as my child will be in his/her regular classroom environment during makeup tests). However, I understand that an alternative activity is not required on the part of the school. If you are unable to provide an alternative activity for my child I would ask that you please utilize the provision of the NYS Testing Program Educator Guide to the 2013 Common Core which, on page 9, explains “When Students Have Completed Their Tests….that student may be permitted to read silently.” I am reserving the option of removing my child from school during the test administration session depending on the emotional anxiety state of my child on the day of refusal and whether or not the school will provide an alternate activity for my child.
Thank you very much. I look forward to a great end of the school year.
Sincerely,
I’m also a Hudson Valley parent and a teacher. I used this letter as a template, but personalized it for my child. It worked! I believe that many, many teachers agree with the sentiments behind opting out, but their hands are tied. The reaction we got from our child’s school suggests understanding and empathy — without explicit approval of our refusal. All of this — and all of you! — lead me to believe that we are in the vanguard of a movement that may grow very quickly after this year’s tests are over. I don’t know if it will be sudden or slow, but I do not believe that the process or the results will be embraced if we continue to move the conversation to what is best for children and their futures — including our teachers and our schools. We must stick together and soldier on for the long haul.
Keep the heat on them. Take your children out if you do not like it. Create a big headache for the state if this is the way they want to be as “Bullies.” How can they tell the students not to Bully and yet they do it without even thinking about it. Double standard I say. This is war and war is a series of battles. Be Prepared.
George Buzzetti: exactly why I use the terms “edubullies” and “accountabullies.” While I would not argue with someone who complained that they have a pejorative tone, I use them because they are good descriptors.
I would be happy to surrender their use—in perpetuity—if the edubullies and the accountabullies stopped bullying. Even steven. Quits. No hard feelings.
But I am not holding my breath waiting for them to stop all on their own.
A Facebook page from the smallest county in NYS:
http://m.facebook.com/pages/Pencils-DOWN-Rockland-County/438702559546976?id=438702559546976&_rdr
As a teacher in one school whose kids go to another, I see that even the 2 districts next door are very different. I was told that I was NOT allowed to opt-out my son, and if he chose to refuse, he would have to sit in the office. (He gets 1:1 testing, so I think not!) while the school I teach in is hiring a substitute to come provide educational activities for the students who refuse to take the test. How very different the approaches are.
From the teaching side, I wholeheartedly support the right to refuse a test! The teachers’ “report cards” should not be based on a snapshot test, but on a year of progress. There is some flexibility in the APPR for that, but not much if you are a 3-teacher! As a special ed provider of students with only basic life skills, it is April and no official decision has been made on what I will be evaluated on yet. The system needed more fine tuning before release, and I think parents are seeing that. Thank you too all who have chosen to follow this movement!!
It’s great to see so many local and regional opt-out organizations in New York State. It seems time for a statewide organization that will fight for more than a “no” vote, but also an alternative education policy — NY PTA seems to have drunk the Kool Aid. NYS United Teachers seems to be walking a tight rope between urging caution and playing ball with Albany. (Don’t get me started on the Democratic Party.) Is there already a NYS organization with a progressive education policy agenda?
Thank you!
In NY, my principal has stated that if too many children opt out then we will lose state aide. We are a very small district(400 students in a k-12 building and a title 1 school) so one or two kids could effect us. I haven’t been able to find out if this is true or not. Does anyone know if opting out reduces state aid or changes how you can spend the money?
LI good for you. Hopefully this is an example the rest of NY and they will all follow your example. I wish Staten Island had more parents that opt out.