ELA and Math tests

My daughter is only in 2nd grade but I will absolutely be opting her out of the tests. The tests mean nothing and I'm glad that my school does not use these tests for any type of standard. If they are picked to go into enrichment or any type of class like that, it is because of their school work, initiative and teacher recommendation. As far as looking how a school ranks for these tests, it is very subjective. In my district, we try to keep most of our special ed students in district and they take the tests. This definitely lowers our scores but in no way diminishes the capabilities of our schools. Districts with very high scores, usually ship out their special needs community so their tests are not counted, such as Smithtown, Garden City, Jericho.

That being said, it is up the parent whether or not they want their child to take the test or not and neither side should be putting pressure to do it their way. It really is no ones business but your own and you shouldn't have to defend either side.

Re: ELA and Math tests

I am a teacher who opts my children out of these tests. They are developmentally inappropriate, are designed to make the children fail, put undo pressure on them, and don't mean ONE thing except to the politicians and the corporations that create them.

My 4th grader is in the gifted program without once taking a state test.

My 6th grader is in advanced classes without once taking a state test.

Opt them out. Do not stress them out. Preparing and tutoring them for a standardized test that is designed to confuse them is a ridiculous waste of money IMO.

Re: ELA and Math tests

Just an aside as to how developmentally inappropriate the tests are I am an ela teacher and in our ready ny common core workbooks third graders have 4 passages to read that are adapted versions of the odyssey by homer. I think I read that in college, yes it's adapted but it's still totally over their heads. So i can't even imagine what they have to read on the test

Re: ELA and Math tests

Thanks ladies. I really appreciate all the input and I can understand the different points of view. ITA the tests are not age appropriate. Even our principal thought that the ELA test last year was ridiculous for the 3rd graders (I guess all of the grades, but I clearly remember her comments about 3rd grade, because DS was on 3rd grade at the time). DS said he wasn't stressed about them, but my little boy got a nervous tic around that time, and I was able to tell he was stressed about them I have tried not to focus on the tests, but on him doing his hw well. Even last year when we got the results, although he did well, I didn't say anything, because I wanted to send the message the tests/scores were not important.

Unfortunately, I feel that I can't opt him out, because to apply for high school he will need the test results (plus grades and attendance report)… and although that will be 3 years from now, I'm hoping he doesn't get that anxious if he takes the test every year and feels prepare and confident.

I always give him extra homework (he started kumon when he was 5, but we stopped 6 months ago, so he is used to extra hw), so I want to take advantage of that extra hw I give to him, to kind of prep him for the tests.

ELA and Math tests

For my son, the tests had a negative impact. In fourth grade he was diagnosed with ADHD and we requested a 504 plan be put in place. They denied me solely based on his prior year state assessment scores (despite two teachers testimony that he is struggling and NEEDS help). Since he did not "fail" them, his ADHD could therefore not be affecting his ability to learn. Fast forward a year and a half and he was failing every subject. Guess what, they approved his 504 plan!

Now in middle school, he has his 504 plan in place, and he's on the honor role for the first time ever. I solely believe that had they approved him from the beginning, he would not have had to go through that year of failing and struggling.

We have refused the tests every year since, and my daughter had no problem getting into advanced classes in middle school.

Message edited 2/11/2015 8:39:46 AM.

Re: ELA and Math tests

ELA and Math tests

Just my $0.02
Tests have negative and positive results depending on what they are being used for or not.

When we were young we took state tests and national tests. National tests based our academic progress. State tests based our advancement in grades. This was true regardless which state I was in. Virginia, California or Texas.

I don't mind standardized tests. Folks here complain about them as well - passionately. I see no reason to fear them. They were generally the easiest things to take all year. My husband, A Long Islander himself, agrees. We see no issue at all with them. She will learn that some tests are unfair, some tests are hard, some she will be unprepared for, some will be easy, some won't. Some will mean worlds to her (SAT/ACT/GT,etc) others are meaningless but she will learn to just take them, period. College has it's own challenges as does the real world of work.

Just do it. Fighting the tests won't change them. Blowing them out of the water with ease is the only way to successfully ignore them. AJ won't be required to take state tests until 3rd grade. However, she has 2 sets of exams yearly from Kinder through 2nd grade. They call these prep for the future exams. She just finished her second set with results to be sent home shortly. They affect her ability to promote, her ability to be reviewed for honors and where she is placed next year with teachers. Last I checked she's upper level without highest level. I push her to do better constantly.

Although Texas rejected Common Core, we still find it in our math. Fortunately for my daughter, I am very receptive of Common Core math as it makes sense to me. My husband finds it all to be gibberish and confusing madness. Its so strange to me that others see it as backwards and overly complicated.

I'm already slowly introducing her to the MLA guide standards of writing.

All that.. I still chose to live in a home with high income and high expectations of the school. Robotics, reading, mathematics and speech competitions for grade school levels. All offered via public school. She still has the option to leave this area and go to a specialty school for High School but if not, the local HS has a lot to offer.

For now.. I hope to get her onto the Robotics Team next year!

Message edited 2/23/2015 6:23:07 PM.

ELA and Math tests

There is much more controversy in NY than simply the stress of taking the tests. If you research, you will learn that the tests are developmentally inappropriate for the grade level given. Not to mention, they are punishing our teachers. Cuomo now wants 50% of a teachers evaluation to be based on these scores alone. If the majority are not performing at satisfactory level because the tests are way too hard, what will happen to your childs favorite teacher?

Re: ELA and Math tests

IF my kids stressed the tests in any way I would consider opting out, but they don't. My 4th grader actually wanted more days of testing because they didn't get homework on those days . I let them know that they should do the best they can but it doesn't count to me the way regular school tests count. They are fine with that. The way I see it is it is practice for taking tests when they get older. They will always have tests, SATs, regents etc. and they can use all the practice they can get.

ETA: I DO NOT like the way the tests are being counted against teachers at all..

Message edited 2/24/2015 12:48:05 PM.

ELA and Math tests

I think that as parents WE need to do our homework and if you actually read and understand what these tests are comprised of, the unfairness, the politics behind them, and most importantly, the negative effect it will and IS having on our children and teachers, the EDUCATED choice would be to opt out. PLEASE go to www.nysut.org and read what Cuomo is doing to our state education system. It is a crisis and you are fooling yourself if you think otherwise.

Re: ELA and Math tests

There is no "opt out." It's a refusal. These tests are not optional, but if you instruct your child to refuse to be tested that can be done.

I am a third grade teacher. Up until now, my 4th and 6th graders have taken the tests. My 6th grade has gotten consistent 4s on the math and 3s on ELA. My 4th grader hit 3s on both last year. They were not the least bit stressed and although I believe the tests are poorly written and don't matter a bit I had my own kids take them.

This year they will refuse on behalf of teachers all over New York State who are having these tests used against them in their evaluations.

Re: ELA and Math tests

Re: ELA and Math tests

Re: ELA and Math tests

Posted by PatsBrat

Posted by MrsGmomof3

Posted by PatsBrat

There is no "opt out." It's a refusal. These tests are not optional, but if you instruct your child to refuse to be tested that can be done.

I am a third grade teacher. Up until now, my 4th and 6th graders have taken the tests. My 6th grade has gotten consistent 4s on the math and 3s on ELA. My 4th grader hit 3s on both last year. They were not the least bit stressed and although I believe the tests are poorly written and don't matter a bit I had my own kids take them.

This year they will refuse on behalf of teachers all over New York State who are having these tests used against them in their evaluations.

Exactly.
My children are more than one test
My childrens teachers are more than one test

The teachers in my building are toying with the idea of wearing t shirts that say "I am more than just a number" on test days but we don't want to piss off administration.