State test questions about those who opt out

Today was day 1 of the state tests. Our opt out number was pretty small for DS class (2/21). There were 6-8 kids in total...

How many kids opted out at your school?

What did kids who opted out do?

I’m a little annoyed - they sent the kids who opted out to a very fun room in the school. They were supposed to read but they played... My son wasn’t upset about the tests - a little nervous - but I’m annoyed other children got to play while he was tested.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

State test questions about those who opt out

I work in a NYC DOE MS and very few kids opt out, out of 1200 students I would say about 40 opted out and that is a big increase from last year, in NYC you need the 7th grade state scores for the competitive HS programs so that is part of the reason but also it isnt as popular in NYC as LI

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I opted my daughter out. She's had some anxiety issues and was worrying about it so for me personally it made sense. At her school, those who opted out go to the cafeteria and read and do some writing.

I am surprised at kids opting out being allowed to play since her school seems very set on making it fair and not allowing kids to do "fun" activities while other kids are testing. Yesterday, it was only about 3 hours for testing so the second half of her day was normal (had lunch, gym, regular classroom work).

I'd say her school has a higher opt out rate but I don't know offhand how many took the test. It seems like about 50/50 based on what she was saying though.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I don't know our actual opt out percentage, I don't think they release that yet. I saw Pat Med announced he had a 78% opt out rate yesterday. Sadly, we aren't in that district but I wish I was.

But I can tell you for DD's class I'd say out of 24 kids, she said about 8 took the test- give or take? So I have a feeling the opt out rates are going to be pretty high.

She said the one's who took the test went to another room to take it and the opt out kids stayed in the class, with their teacher, and they just read or wrote in their journals.

Message edited 4/3/2019 8:53:36 AM.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I think our opt out rate declined but all of the kids who opted out in grades 3-5 had to sit in the cafeteria and read. They were not allowed to talk - I don't even think they can write.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Not sure about this year, but last year our district had an opt out rate a little over 40%. I believe it is lower this year. The kids all go to classrooms and have to read, no talking.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

We're in a new district this year (off LI) and 3 out of 19 kids didn't take the test. I asked my son if they opted out and he said no they just weren't in school. So I'm unsure if anyone opted out.

It was so huge on LI to opt out and I'm not seeing it as even a discussion up here.

I'm curious what other non-LI districts were...

When we were on LI it was definitely a majority that opted out.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I also feel it can go the other way and the kids who are opting out can feel punished.

Someone on this thread said they weren't allowed to speak or even write? W T F is that?

And sitting in a room for hours reading a book is like torture to a 3rd grade imo.

So i can see both sides of it

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

State test questions about those who opt out

We are a test refusal family. I bring my DS in late on testing days. Yesterday he went in after the students had been testing for an hour and a half and they still weren’t done. So today he went in after lunch and the secretary said some students weren’t done yet! Yikes!
If you don’t take the test, you sit in the cafeteria, assigned seating, and do packets.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I'm answering, although my DS took the test. At his school a few kids opted out and those that did went to the library to read. DS wanted to opt out, but even though he is in 8th grade, I feel it is good for him to keep developing skills at reading comprehension and writing short and long answers, JMO. At his school 8th graders won't take Math and Science, because they will take the regents in June.

Now, my 2 cents... DS became a good test taker, and it was because of the state tests. We never opted out. In 3rd grade he was anxious but once he took them he realized it wasn't a big deal and understood the dynamic. Being in 8th and applying for HS, I saw the good on having those test taking skills. Saying that, I understand every kid is different.

State test questions about those who opt out

My daughter takes the test, but our new district has about a 60% opt out rate. Most of the kids dont come to school for the morning if they are not taking the test. The ones that do sit in the auditorium and read. When we were in NYC almost all the kids took the test, so the few that didn't went to the library to read or a resource room

State test questions about those who opt out

we opt out - we seem to have a fairly large opt out rate in my school. I took my daughter in a little late and she went in to read/writ/draw for the rest of the time

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

Re: State test questions about those who opt out

I would love if my kid got to play. I keep him home and have my husband bring him in late because there is no way that my child with ADHD is able to sit in a cafeteria and read for 4 or more hours. He said a lot more kids took the test this year than last year (I think everywhere opt out rates went down). Many kids were not completed by the end of the day according to his principal.

Re: State test questions about those who opt out