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Chatham-Chick
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Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Did you opt out of all tests used for teacher evals or just ELA/Math/Science? And when did you send in your letters/notice? I haven't done so yet, but I'm wondering if I should do it now as opposed to waiting until it gets closer to testing time.
And how do we know if assessments (like STAR) are used towards a teacher eval? Does it vary by school? My DD just mentioned she took a STAR assessment today, which I've never opted her out of before because I considered it useful in benchmarking and placement. Any thoughts or opinions???
Thanks! 
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Posted 2/3/16 5:36 PM  |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
STAR testing is used for benchmarking so I do not opt out of those or other benchmarking tools. I think the teachers do need some sort of testing to figure out where their class is and what needs to be focused on. I do opt out for the ELA and Math Standardized tests as well as the OLSAT this year.
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| Posted 2/3/16 5:49 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
I opted my daughters out of state testing as well as all testing linked to teacher evaluations. I am in a unique position because I work in their schools and I know how the assessments are used. DIBELS, our benchmark assessments, are not used at all to guide instruction so I chose to not have them take those tests.
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| Posted 2/4/16 4:49 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
I believe it varies by school. However if your child took the first part already and it is counted toward the teachers eval, then it would be hurtful to the teacher if your child didn't take the second part. I ran into this problem last year.
As far as sending in the refusal letter, I would not wait. I am a teacher (thankfully not in a testing grade) letters come in like crazy closer to the test and it can get overwhelming in the office. There were parents faxing refusal letters the morning of the test last year! Also, it is very sad but there are some districts who send letters to parents after they refuse, basically asking them to reconsider. Pure scare tactics!
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| Posted 2/5/16 10:19 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
They are changing the tests again. Less questions and unlimited time. Just an FYI not sure if it's relevant to your question.
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| Posted 2/5/16 1:33 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by stinger
They are changing the tests again. Less questions and unlimited time. Just an FYI not sure if it's relevant to your question.
I clearly have strong views on this, but it's not really significantly less questions in my opinion (1 less ela passage, 6 less mc, and 1 less essay for ela (lower grades) and 4 less math). My biggest issues lie with the content of the tests, particularly the readability of questions and tests and the limited scope of the testing as compared to the standards.
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| Posted 2/5/16 2:48 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
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Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Thanks girls! Guess I better get my letter out this coming week. 
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| Posted 2/5/16 2:56 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
We opted out of the ELA and Math. Not out of the benchmark testing, as I feel that is a useful tool. The ELA and Math tests mean absolutely nothing in our district. They have no effect on placement or grades, hence the reason we aren't bothering.
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| Posted 2/5/16 3:54 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
The unlimited time thing is awful! Certainly not a change for the better!
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| Posted 2/5/16 4:45 PM |
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
I am only opting out of the ela/math.
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| Posted 2/5/16 8:33 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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.....
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Message edited 3/20/2016 9:49:51 PM.
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| Posted 2/6/16 10:21 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by Lauren82
I opted my daughters out of state testing as well as all testing linked to teacher evaluations. I am in a unique position because I work in their schools and I know how the assessments are used. DIBELS, our benchmark assessments, are not used at all to guide instruction so I chose to not have them take those tests.
I'm so confused by this. Aren't DIBELS and benchmark assessments used to appropriately place your child in the classroom (in reading groups etc.)? Aren't they also used to see if your child needs extra support etc? Why wouldn't you want your child to take these tests? How can they be accurately placed and taught if your child's teacher can never test them? This is bizarre to me but, you say you are a teacher so I'm interested in the insight behind this.
In my building they are not a part of placing in reading services at all. Benchmark reading assessments (running records) are used to place students. A pure fluency indicator (which is all the DIBELS reading assessment is) would not be a way that teachers could place students appropriately in reading groups. These types of assessments do not really guide teacher instruction or evaluate a child's current reading level, in my experience. Antecdotal notes, observations, performance tasks give more information on student performance. These assessments were only put into place because the state told us we had to have an assessment to use for teacher evaluations. The DIBELS is only an indicator, which can show kids at risk, but can also miss kids. I believe that a teacher's authentic assessment of my own children is a better assessment. A child cannot be denied services based on refusal to complete these types of assessments.
My children take all tests not linked to teacher evaluations.
Message edited 2/6/2016 10:43:01 AM.
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| Posted 2/6/16 10:35 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
This is such a hot button issue. Do your research and make choices that work for your family. I've done a lot of research and made my choices, but you shouldn't feel pressured either way to make a decision. Good luck...there is a lot of false information out there on both sides that make it a really hard choice.
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| Posted 2/6/16 10:40 AM |
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CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
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For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
As a teacher, my daughter is opted out of everything. In our district they take the NWEA's, a computer based test used to evaluate teachers. She does not take that. It does not inform instruction in anyway. When she is of grade level she will not be taking the ELA or Math until there is some major changes. You can contact your child's teacher, or the district's APPR plan should be available on the district website to see what is used. Long Island Opt Out on facebook is a great resource, or www.NYSAPE.org.
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| Posted 2/6/16 1:44 PM |
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mosh913
baby boy coming spring '11
Member since 5/05 3133 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
I opted my child out of anything tied to teacher evaluations. I don't think these tests that are above grade level guide instruction and sitting on a lap top for 90 minutes won't either. I believe in authentic assessment. Ones that reflect the curriculum. I also believe that my chid's teacher knows her well enough to know her strengths and deficits. These tests were poorly implemented. Cuomo was hoping to show how many ineffective teachers there are in our state and when the exact opposite happened, he threw a fit and demanded that the assessments change. What we're doing to our children in school is nothing short of abuse!
Message edited 2/6/2016 1:59:30 PM.
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| Posted 2/6/16 1:58 PM |
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Our school uses NWEA. It is tied to the teachers rating however they do use it to determine who needs services. I know a few kids who qualified for remedial reading and math based on that score. Without the test it did not appear they needed help.
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| Posted 2/6/16 3:35 PM |
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CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by haveaquestion
Our school uses NWEA. It is tied to the teachers rating however they do use it to determine who needs services. I know a few kids who qualified for remedial reading and math based on that score. Without the test it did not appear they needed help.
That's exactly why AIS services should not be based on one score alone. It should be used in conjunction with other measures such as teacher data and recommendations, especially for the younger grades. It is actually very scary that a child is put into support services based on just one computer based flawed test that does not match the curriculum that is being taught in the classroom.
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| Posted 2/13/16 9:50 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by CurlyQ
Posted by haveaquestion
Our school uses NWEA. It is tied to the teachers rating however they do use it to determine who needs services. I know a few kids who qualified for remedial reading and math based on that score. Without the test it did not appear they needed help.
That's exactly why AIS services should not be based on one score alone. It should be used in conjunction with other measures such as teacher data and recommendations, especially for the younger grades. It is actually very scary that a child is put into support services based on just one computer based flawed test that does not match the curriculum that is being taught in the classroom.
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| Posted 2/13/16 10:31 AM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Totally! It's ridiculous that a child will be put into a pull out service based on one test.
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| Posted 2/13/16 12:24 PM |
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by cj7305
They use teacher input too. But some average kids do need extra help and the test helped determine that.
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| Posted 2/15/16 8:30 AM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Quick question related to STAR - are you informed beforehand that your children will be taking the STAR assessment? We are not in my district.
This has angered a lot of parents since a lot of children aren't familiar with the mouse at all which impacts their scores.
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| Posted 2/16/16 8:40 AM |
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CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by ali120206
Quick question related to STAR - are you informed beforehand that your children will be taking the STAR assessment? We are not in my district.
This has angered a lot of parents since a lot of children aren't familiar with the mouse at all which impacts their scores.
You do not need to be notified. The only reason I am is because my daughter does not take them (NWEA's in my case) so the teacher gives me the heads up so I can let my daughter know to have a book ready. You do have the right to refuse them, not just the NYS 3-8 exams. If you are not a member of Long Island Opt Out, or read NYSAPE.org. Both are great resources.
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| Posted 2/16/16 8:24 PM |
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CurlyQ
Member since 6/07 2024 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by haveaquestion
Posted by cj7305
They use teacher input too. But some average kids do need extra help and the test helped determine that.
I just would be very cautious with the idea of a test such as the NWEA determining that an average student needs support. If a child is average, then they wouldn't need support? no? I have read many experiences of students performing really well and being classified as above average, then a couple of months later taking them again and dropping many points and then being considered below average. How is that possible? To me shows a flawed test that is given too much weight. Especially one that is given on a computer with too many variables to list.
Any teacher should have good data on each student comprised of authentic assessments, teacher made and basal made tests, and other informal assessments, records etc. A number on the NWEA test should not be the only reason a child is put into support services. If all of the other measures are average.. or what I like to say on target, then my best guess is that the NWEA is not testing what is being taught in the class. And to me is not reason to put a child into support services.
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| Posted 2/16/16 8:35 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Although I see the flaws in the tests and the entire common core movement, I honestly believe we need some type of standardized testing to rank districts and ensure our children are all receiving basically the same education. My children will be taking the tests this year and I am a teacher.
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| Posted 3/4/16 8:13 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: For those Opting Out... and looking for teacher input!
Posted by twicethefun
Although I see the flaws in the tests and the entire common core movement, I honestly believe we need some type of standardized testing to rank districts and ensure our children are all receiving basically the same education. My children will be taking the tests this year and I am a teacher.
I'm all for well thought out, developmentally appropriate testing. Sadly, that's the problem with these tests, they are neither of those things.
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| Posted 3/5/16 1:04 PM |
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