The Lee County school board will meet tomorrow at 8:30 am, a time that will exclude many parents, students, and educators. Public meetings should be scheduled when the public is not at work or in class.
This letter was written by a parent and teacher who can’t attend the meeting because she will be working. It is a plea to the board not to back down.
Regarding Lee County School Board decision to opt out of high stakes, state tests:
I am the parent of a fifth grader in Lee County. I am also an 8th grade Language Arts teacher for the district.
During public comments at the Wednesday night’s Lee County School Board Meeting, a speaker said, “Seize the day.” I agree.
We have waited long for this day. We have fought long and hard to end the over testing of our kids. This was not a rushed decision. Parents from every walk of life, every political group, have been going to school board meetings for years.
Two years ago, Lee County School Board was one of the first in the nation to sign onto a resolution opposing high stakes testing. Mrs. Dozier, among others, carried the resolution to our state school board and fought for its passing. She was successful and we thank her. Our parent groups, locally and statewide, have tried with our representatives and senators. We have lobbied, written emails, called, tweeted, even created meme … with no response.
I myself traveled to the Network for Public Education National Conference. I was there when Diane Ravitch called for congressional hearings. We have tried. But, our leaders in Tallahassee and DC. refuse to listen.
So now it is our time to refuse. It is our obligation as parents and caretakers to refuse these toxic tests. The is no more time to wait. It is time to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Lee County School Board and Superintendent Graham, we are here to support you as you do what is right for our children. We are here to say we need you. You are our hard hitters. We elected you. You are our last line of defense in defending our children and it is your moral imperative to do so.
You made the decision to opt us out of state high stakes assessments. That was the right choice. Now, let’s get proactive in creating a program of portfolio assessments. Let’s outline the possibilities of using concordant scores.
Let’s give our Lee County families and employees a sense of hope not gloom. The whole world is watching. Here is your chance to be world class.
After all, it is what the parents want. Ask them, most will tell you they were planning to opt out anyway. Why make it be our parents and our children who have to take a stand. Why force an opting out child to sit, humiliated, through a five hour test, day after day, during test month? Let’s stand up for them.
So, no more waiting, please. No more waffling back and forth wondering. No more hoping someone else will fix this. Let’s find a way. No amount of money is worth this. Our children are not numbers and education is not about property values. This is not about ‘Flipping Lee’… This is about the kids. Focus on our kids.
Bonnie Cunard Margolin, parent & teacher, Wear Red for Ed
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It just goes to prove how cowardly the members of this school board are being. I wish parents do find they can take the time off and attend this meeting, or even take their kids out of school in protest tomorrow. But given the state of the economy, that will be difficult to do. But I can still hope somehow parents will be there in full force. And if not, vote these people out of office!!
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Reblogged this on Continuing Change and commented:
Thank you Diane Ravitch for publishing my letter to Lee County School Board Florida #OptOutLee
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I hope all teachers are exercising their free speech and send letters to the board of education without fear of retribution. I have been following the responses of these board members to teachers and parents that have been shared on these support sites, and they all follow one crucial similarity. They show no urgency, offer excuses and delay tactics, They are supporting an irresponsible, detrimental policy by prolonging action. They KNOW if we take a stand and opt out as a county, others will follow, and thus will end their gravy train and “Someone” will have to be accountable for that action. They only see our children as a profit margin. For this even more, we have to support our children, perhaps prepare to opt out our children, as Don Armstrong has, one by one. Consider that politically. Reelection year?
We are not at their mercy, there is strength in numbers, much more than 5 people seated on a board. They are only seated there because thousands voted them in to sit there. If thousands opt their children out, and create a wave across the state, the system will crumble. Then we can rebuild!
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Wow! More power to you Connie – literally.
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Bonnie Cunard Margolin- so glad Lee County’s kids have your advocacy!
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“A teacher stands alone (again)”
While board of ed slinks back to hole
A fearless teacher fills the role
Defender of the public good
Send her honor, if you would
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I hope more school boards listen to the facts and get off this test track.
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It is unfortunate. Teachers have to administer these tests, apparently students, after lobbying by parents,can refuse to have their children take these tests. It isn’t fair to students in the long run, teachers for having to put the low grades in, and parents for having to deal with all of it.
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