A comment by a reader:
We are parents of 3 children in MA.
Since March 5th when I joined 6 moms from my town to attend a Northboro forum to hear Sandra Stotsky & Jamie Gass (www. pioneerinstitute.org), we have been learning everything we can about PARCC/CCSS.
On Feb 24, we learned our 3rd grader “won” the PARCC ELA lottery “mandating” 5 additional days of research of “test the test” research. Here was my letter to her principal today – .
This is our formal notice requesting that our daughter not participate in the upcoming PARCC Pilot ELA assessment on April 1-3.
We have every intent to send our child to school – and more than willing to work with you and XYZ teacher. Our preference is to send her as usual to school on the bus. Please advise otherwise.
This is neither an easy or welcomed position to take as a parent.
Please know this decision has been made only after extensive reading, attendance at the district PARCC Pilot info session and finally, attendance at the DESE’s regional PARCC meeting with Bob Bickerton at Framingham State on Tuesday night.
It is unfortunate the DESE and Commissioner Chester have effectively ABANDONED administrators and teachers – and most importantly, OUR KIDS, with their much delayed response to the numerous requests calling for a formal “Opt Out” provision from districts and parents across our state.
Thanks in advance for your support of our decision.
This afternoon we received a response honoring this request.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Good luck with that! I imagine that they will not let your kids progress past a certain grade, or they will expel them. It is just a matter of time. They will ratchet up the response to make an example of those who first try to opt out. They could even imprison parents who try to take their kids out of these tests. They could say that you are denying them an education. They can do whatever they want. Once they start expelling kids, then the resistance will stop. That is how these systems work. Wait and see, but the reaction is going to be swift and severe. I wish it weren’t true.
Then the powers that be will get a good dose of what happens when you mess with the Mama Bear’s cubs.
It’s a good beginning.
Indeed it is!
Massachusetts Parent, you are fortunate to have received a response honoring your request. It is mind boggling to think that school administrators would refuse to honor the request of any parent who chooses to protect their own child from psychological abuse.
Is there any mental health professional in the country who would not agree?
I think it is time to approach the United Nations and UNICEF with a charge of violation of human rights against President Obama, Arne Duncan, and Bill Gates. The destruction of our children’s mental health is more dangerous than if they were being attacked in a physical way. The children of Somalia were raped physically, our children are being raped psychologically.
The President has the responsibility to protect our children from the psychological damage that is being perpetuated by Bill Gates and the Billionaire backers of the Common Core. The President is either too intimidated by their power, or he is too self absorbed with his own profits from this Education Industrial Complex. Whatever the reason, this is the greatest failure of his administration, and the greatest threat in our nation’s history.
The paradox of his administration is that Obama invested great effort in establishing a national health care program, while at the same time ignoring the greatest destruction to children’s health.
Kurt,
What an EXCELLENT idea!!! Our movement MUST take a stand outside of our blog groups. Your idea is just the thing! Do you realize how much media coverage it would get WORLDWIDE!!! It would get people’s attention…and that’s EXACTLY what we need!
We, too, supported Obama in both campaigns and are so saddened and discouraged by his non-stance on these important educational issues–particularly after he talked about how his mother would help him every night with his studies and how his grandmother was such an influence in his educational development.
“Raped psychologically” is so very accurate. We just had a friend so upset that her otherwise successful middle school son is now calling home daily with “stomach aches”–you see, all the extreme testing is just a couple of weeks away! I encouraged her to “opt out” and referred her to the appropriate websites.
Indeed, let’s get that charge of violation of human rights filed–and quickly, before it’s too late. Kurt, do you know how to do it? Does anyone out there know the steps on how to do it?
I supported Obama one…but not two. Really bought the “hope and change” crap. Then suddenly, the real potential for our garden of change-our public schools, was suddenly under attack. De-funded, de-nied and over-regulated (over-OVER regulated, because the unfunded mandate issue was already the major problem). Unbelievable that the person my union(s) wanted to back was the same schmoe that came up with the idea of making us dirty-dance for dollar bills (not literally, of course-I mean wed ourselves to corporate-backed reform for a pittance and an abusive, demeaning relationship) and place non-educators in positions of control over education. I want heroes. I want someone to stand up for kids, not empty “jobs of tomorrow” goals. Fully fund schools-don’t wave out the most wealthy and capable then slam the doors shut on your public school/factory/prisons.
Where are our REAL Democrats?
Do we need our own “T” (for teacher) party?
Kurt,
There is no paradox in Obama’s “efforts.” I’m afraid you are pretty naive about ACA and overall rather dissonant in your ideas about Obama and overall in the Democratic Apparatus which is every bit as wicked as the other side of the illusory aisle.
ACA was written by big insurance companies. Obama’s educational policies are formed by big business interests as well. In both instances the ambition and result is further privatization.
As for the President’s responsibilities your comment is also naive in the extreme. The president’s only responsibility is to protect the interests of Big Business something Obama has done with steadfast consistency dating back to his days in the Illinois Senate. All other beliefs about this are childish fantasies as to how the world actually works in DC rather than what we may like to think.
As for the greatest “failure” of this administration you are wrong here as well. None of what is happening is a “failure” once you understand who Obama works for. And even by your own premise I’m sure the families who have been blown to bits in Yemen and Af/Pak by Obama’s war crimes would disagree with your assessment as to Obama’s worst crimes- admittedly they are many.
And don’t forget you supported him- twice.
You are obviously well intentioned Curt. Why do you support any Democrats? They are every bit the evil as the Repubs- what you are seeing is consistent with who these people are- and they are in no way aligned with the interests of the people.
Michael,
I was expressing my opinion and question your authority to determine Obama’s greatest failure. Perhaps you could express your opinions likewise without declaring yourself the voice of authority. Politics are irrelevant. “Proximity to power is power”…and that is the goal of all immature impotent leaders whether Democratic, Republican, or Socialist.
Children are being harmed and talk is cheap. It is time for a formal declaration of “human rights” violation. UN is a good option.
Difference with me, I wouldn’t have asked I would have informed. The more we ask permission to be the primary guiders of our children’s growth to independence (including their education) the more we promote the idea that our children belong to the state.
I don’t believe our children belong to anyone. They belong to God. We have been given the privilege and the inalienable right to raise them. We love our children the state does not even know them.
“I don’t believe our children belong to anyone. They belong to God.”
See the contradiction, Janine?? Or is it that this god cat is a thing and therefore isn’t included in “anyone”?
The ultimate “opt out” would be to send your kids to private schools. I know more and more upper middle class families that are done with the public schools. Your kids only get one chance at a good education. We all know that public schools are being deliberately destroyed. Maybe this is what they wanted all along, and they are winning. My brothers and sisters and I all went to excellent pubic schools in the 1970s, and all five of us are sending our kids to various private schools now. We don’t live in the same era anymore. What is more important, new cars and bigger homes, or a good education? You have to make your own tough decision.
Elitist, eh Mike???
People said the exact same thing about public schools in the 1970s.
I agree Mike! I know that we should keep our son in public school and fight. But my son’s education is not an experiment. When they look up in 10 years and realize this crap isn’t working, then what? I can not leave my black son’s education up to chance. The stakes are entirely too high.
I failed to mention that I worked for, donated to, and supported both of Obama’s campaigns. The issue of protecting our children is not partisan, it is a moral issue.
A tyrant does not have to look like a War Lord with Death Squads at his command. He can look like a CEO with $78 Billion Dollars and politicians & industry giants at his command. It’s time we recognize this “wolf in sheep’s clothing” before it’s too late.
Too True!
THE RAPE OF THE MIND: The Psychology of Thought Control, Menticide, and Brainwashing, by Joost Meerloo, MD, Instructor in Psychiatry, Columbia University.
Out of print (1956) but the principal remands the same.
http://www.ninehundred.net/control/mc-ch1.html
Columbia University, can we revisit this with Common Core impact on children?
Georgia Parent: I agree with you. Paying lip service on blogs is getting no where. It is high time for parents to unite and present a “human rights” grievance to UNICEF. The psychological damage our children are suffering will handicap them for a lifetime.
Paying lip service helps me voice my anger and take comfort from those who are like-minded. It then spurs me to action.
Don’t ever underestimate the power that we all have right here at our fingertips. I have been forwarding information and links found on this blog (a huge and overwhelming thanks to Diane Ravitch for making this entire dialogue possible) to members of my home school district board of education as well as family and friends. As a result of my efforts, the school district has become an active voice in the fight against the over-testing, and the demand in NYS for a 2-year moratorium on the Common Core testing. I was invited to join the district’s strategic planning committee for their new long-range plan.
My current mission is to eradicate the Common Core. So many parents and community members in my community in New York State have bought into Governor Andrew Cuomo’s statement that the problem with Common Core is the implementation. I have noticed that many school administrators have taken on this statement as a rallying cry. It’s time for the public to know that CCSS is rotten to the Core!
Am I the only one that finds it ironic that this blog has lots of comments about how bad it is to use untested curriculum and tests, but supports opting out of field tests? How exactly is this supposed to work?
I think it is bad to bleed away resources and intellectually nourishing opportunities from schools through the excessive use of high stakes, standardized tests, whether tested (for whatever purpose) or not.
An example: Pittsburgh gives K-12 students 205 tests, 33 in 4th grade alone. When do students get to learn? Involve teachers in the implementation, and testing could cease being so manic and profit driven.
Can you provide some reference on the 33 tests for 4th graders? Is this counting teacher’s assessments?
the point is, it ISNT supposed to work…. there is no need for these high stakes standardised tests, so there is no need to create and field test same….
Sahila, your comment is exactly correct–this whole thing is smoke & mirrors & more $$$ for Pear$on. NOT more and better education for our children. People should not be parsing this out–this “standardized” (and it is not–the tests have been shown–time & time again–to be neither valid NOR reliable–& the so-called “field testing” {for Pear$on to find out HOW to make their tests valid & reliable?–NO! Only more B.S.}). Once again, do any of the 1%ers or our elected politicians send their children to public schools that give tests? NO! Also–I just talked to a teacher friend & her husband (who became a teacher after retiring from law) who worked for Pear$on–on the alternative assessments. My friend informed me that Pear$on never once (in the 3 years they worked for them) incorporated any of their recommendations or suggestions–in fact, she felt that Pear$on was merely using them to say that they had “teacher input” on the assessments. Pear$on is nothing more than a hugomongous, money-sucking corporation which will–mark my words–end up giving Arne a solid gold (reward) job (as well as a golden parachute upon his retirement, even as we “greedy” educators have our pensions diminished) after his term of Ed. Sec’y. ends. These tests tell educators NOTHING valuable about how their students are learning or how they can help the children. Kurt, I like your suggestions (sorry Michael, et.al.–the U.S. government & its 1% masters are psychologically–mind & soul– killing our kids, &, yes, this IS a human rights violation of epic proportions). Finally, there will be grave consequences for “other people’s children” in the future–we will have an entire country of undereducated young adults who will be consigned to Walmart-like employment. Due to the “rigorous” curriculum & constant testing, they will have grown up without the knowledge needed in order for them to question authority–just what the plutocrats want. If you want to see what I’m talking about, you have no farther to look than Haiti (why do you think Arne & Vallas went over there? After the hurricane, aid $$$ poured in, & there was gold to be had–they were going to “reform” the Haitian school system!
They were going to give all the children…I-Pads! This, in a country w/few & far between actual school buildings, with actual running water & actual electricity. And don’t get me started on the poverty
(but wait! Poverty doesn’t account for any problems in education!)
Of course, Haiti got that way because the 1% (including the leaders–the Duvaliers, of course) there hoarded everything (even stole food packages dropped by CARE) & rendered the 99% there illiterate by writing everything in French (most common language in Haiti is Creole) and broadcasting in French. IMO? ALEC & its bought-out legislators wants to turn us into the next Haiti.
So, Kurt, find some like-minded people in your neck of the woods
start to carry out your plans and keep us all informed as to what we can do. I’m in.
I can imagine more people raising hands and pointing an index finger to the sky when we hear more news of Opt Out Testing. “YES! YES! YES!”
http://theindignantteacher.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/an-urgent-call-to-action-for-massachusetts-bats-and-their-colleagues/