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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by itsbabytime
My child will be in a testing grade next year. I truly have not heard of anyone in my district opting out so if they are doing it, it's being done very quietly.
My question is this - if you are in a district that uses these tests as a main basis for placement of the kids in enriched math (year ahead), science, and ELA and you know that you have a very smart kid that belongs in these classes and will be bored out of their mind if they are not in it - HOW do you not take the test? Do you go to the principal and discuss? But, I can't imagine the other parents won't go nuts about the unfairness of your child getting into the program without taking these tests when there are kids that could get in on all other factors but, don't perform well. Especially teachers, pls let me know how you get around this I am very interested.
THANK YOU!
ETA: I am not referring to G and T programs which are decided not on the ELA type tests but the IQ type of testing...
Ask your District Dean of Instruction. I asked this question and was told that these test were not used for placement of any kind - advanced, honors, supportive reading or math. She stated this very clearly in a public forum.
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Posted 3/2/15 6:03 PM  |
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by MrsGmomof3
Posted by itsbabytime
My child will be in a testing grade next year. I truly have not heard of anyone in my district opting out so if they are doing it, it's being done very quietly.
My question is this - if you are in a district that uses these tests as a main basis for placement of the kids in enriched math (year ahead), science, and ELA and you know that you have a very smart kid that belongs in these classes and will be bored out of their mind if they are not in it - HOW do you not take the test? Do you go to the principal and discuss? But, I can't imagine the other parents won't go nuts about the unfairness of your child getting into the program without taking these tests when there are kids that could get in on all other factors but, don't perform well. Especially teachers, pls let me know how you get around this I am very interested.
THANK YOU!
ETA: I am not referring to G and T programs which are decided not on the ELA type tests but the IQ type of testing...
I honestly do not know of ANY districts that use these tests for that purpose. Considering the results aren't available until October or November of the following school year. In both the district where I live and the district where I work, placement in AP or advanced classes is based upon the assessments done in school by their teachers, report card grades, and recommendations. The "enrichment" programs at the elementary level usually ARE the G&T programs.
I bet your district has a lot of people opting their kids out. Ask around. It is becoming the norm.
I will send you FM but, just to clarify for those that may be looking to make this decision - I am referring to elementary school and I am 100 percent certain that what I am saying is correct.[/QUOTE
What district on Long Island is teaching math, science and ELA a year ahead in their enrichment programs? I am very curious to know this.
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| Posted 3/2/15 7:38 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
For those who are unsure or on the fence, please watch this. This man is a colleague of mine and his message is very powerful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9fd5ZHHik
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| Posted 3/2/15 8:14 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by itsbabytime
My child will be in a testing grade next year. I truly have not heard of anyone in my district opting out so if they are doing it, it's being done very quietly.
My question is this - if you are in a district that uses these tests as a main basis for placement of the kids in enriched math (year ahead), science, and ELA and you know that you have a very smart kid that belongs in these classes and will be bored out of their mind if they are not in it - HOW do you not take the test? Do you go to the principal and discuss? But, I can't imagine the other parents won't go nuts about the unfairness of your child getting into the program without taking these tests when there are kids that could get in on all other factors but, don't perform well. Especially teachers, pls let me know how you get around this I am very interested.
THANK YOU!
ETA: I am not referring to G and T programs which are decided not on the ELA type tests but the IQ type of testing...
I remember your post from the last time this topic came up. You are honestly the only district I've heard of that uses these tests for any type of placement. Are you 100% certain that they use these tests for that? Have you spoken to the Superintendent?
Our district had a 60% refusal rate last year, and I'm sure it will be higher this year. My daughter is of testing age next year also, and she won't be testing.
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| Posted 3/2/15 8:55 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by PatsBrat
For those who are unsure or on the fence, please watch this. This man is a colleague of mine and his message is very powerful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9fd5ZHHik
I watched this the other day. Very powerful and shows you just how much more these children are than meaningless test scores used for a political agenda!
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| Posted 3/2/15 9:26 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
http://ps321.org/the-cuomo-proposal/
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| Posted 3/2/15 10:33 PM |
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MrsGmomof3
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Member since 6/08 3290 total posts
Name:
Irrelevant
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Ironically, I received a letter from my school district YESTERDAY that states that the students will be given ¨components¨ of the Stanford Achievement tests as a screening tool to determine if students need remediation or enrichment. This test is being used ONLY by my school district to screen students who may need extra support OR to be challenged more.
I do not see HOW any district can use NYS test results for this purpose. Just as parents whose kids do not opt out would not find it ¨fair¨ if a student did not take the tests, one could argue that its not fair to the kids who DO NOT take the tests. Fairness aside.... the results are not even made available to the schools until Fall of the FOLLOWING school year, so I dont see it.
ANd yes, my kids will take the Stanford test because its NOT being run by Cuomo, Pearson, or the state... its being run by MY school to assess (truthfully and accurately) my children.
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| Posted 3/3/15 9:35 AM |
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MrsGmomof3
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Member since 6/08 3290 total posts
Name:
Irrelevant
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
I wanted to clarify that I am NOT doubting that some districts probably do use these tests... I am just doubtful HOW they manage to do it is all.
The entire testing climate has GOT to change.
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| Posted 3/3/15 12:37 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
If anyone was going to the forum on Thursday in Patchogue, it has been rescheduled to Tuesday due to the weather.
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| Posted 3/3/15 8:46 PM |
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JennyPenny
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Member since 1/08 12702 total posts
Name:
Jen
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If your child is in a testing grade...
My daughter is in Kindergarten, so I do not have to make this decision, yet. I am not sure how I feel on the subject, though.
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| Posted 3/4/15 10:35 AM |
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my3bugs
Mom of 2 Boys
Member since 5/05 4381 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
My son will take the test. He took it last year in third and will take it again. They didn't stress him out and he personally calls them easy so I am not concerned. In his class last year only 1 child did not take the test. My son would be more stressed being that one kid esp he is a big rule follower (in school at least).
My school does have an advanced learners class (4-6th grade) but ELA scores did not figure into the placement in this class. Placements starts in 3rd grade before tests are even taken. I had heard the 2nd grade terra nova scores did factor into pulling some kids for testing into the program but not sure if that was true. But it wasn't the only way a child was tested for the program. School no longer takes the 2nd grade terra nova's so I know that no longer is a factor.
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| Posted 3/5/15 6:39 AM |
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
The schools are NOT ALLOWED to use the NYS assessments for placement purposes.
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| Posted 3/5/15 10:25 PM |
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MrsGmomof3
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Member since 6/08 3290 total posts
Name:
Irrelevant
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by Beachbody-Karen Gampel
The schools are NOT ALLOWED to use the NYS assessments for placement purposes.
Yes, they are.
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| Posted 3/6/15 12:47 PM |
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leap29
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/05 399 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
How do you go about opting out? And is it too late to do so now since the tests are next month?
Eta: we are in nyc public school
Message edited 3/6/2015 4:39:11 PM.
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| Posted 3/6/15 4:37 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by Beachbody-Karen Gampel
The schools are NOT ALLOWED to use the NYS assessments for placement purposes.
Please show me where you have read this information because, they are absolutely - printed in black and white - using the math and ela scores for placement in enrichment programs in our district.
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| Posted 3/6/15 6:54 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by leap29
How do you go about opting out? And is it too late to do so now since the tests are next month?
Eta: we are in nyc public school
All you need to do is write a letter to the administrator of the school and your child's teacher. You have up until the day of the test. If you google NYS test refusal letters many will come up.
This is the one I'm using
We are writing today to formally inform the __________ school district of our decision to refuse to allow our child _____________ to participate in any local assessments tied to APPR for the 2013-2014 school year. My child will be scored as a “refusal”, with a final score of “999” and a standard achieved code of 96, on all State testing including ELA, Math and Science as described in the NYS Student Information Repository System (SIRS) Manual on page 63.
Our refusal should in no way reflect on the teachers, administration, or school board. This was not an easy decision for us, but we feel that we have no other choice. We simply see these tests as harmful, expensive, unfair, and a waste of time and valuable resources.
This year we will show effort to eliminate unnecessary and harmful assessments in our public schools. Our child will not participate in any assessments other than those solely for the use of the individual classroom teacher.
We refuse to allow any data to be used for purposes other than the individual teacher’s own formative or cumulative assessment. Any assessment whose data is used to determine school ranking, teacher effectiveness, state or federal longitudinal studies or any other purpose other than for the individual classroom teacher’s own use to improve his or her instruction will not be presented to our child.
To be clear, our children will not participate in the following:
? Any so-called “benchmark” exams whether they are teacher-designed or not, since these exams are imposed by entities other than the individual teacher.
? Pre–assessments connected to “Student Learning Objectives”.
? Any progress-monitoring or RTI assessments such as AIMSweb, MAP, or STAR
? Any exam used to formulate an evaluation or score for our children’s teachers or their school.
We believe in and trust our highly qualified and dedicated teachers and administrators. We believe in the high quality of teaching and learning that occurs at _____________ School. We hope our efforts will be understood in the context in which they are intended: to support the quality of instruction promoted by the school, and to advocate for what is best for all children. Our school will not suffer when these tests are finally gone, they will flourish as they have in the years previous. ________ school should have a unified policy in place to address children who are refusing these assessments.
We do apologize in advance for the inconvenience this decision may cause the administration, the school, and staff.
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| Posted 3/6/15 7:14 PM |
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dawnygirl25
Growing up soo fast..
Member since 1/06 14917 total posts
Name:
Dawn
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
My DD is in 3rd and I am truly on the fence about this. I havent made a decision yet...
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| Posted 3/6/15 9:00 PM |
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
So far I am not opting out but I am reading more about the issues.
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| Posted 3/6/15 9:05 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by Beachbody-Karen Gampel
The schools are NOT ALLOWED to use the NYS assessments for placement purposes.
Please show me where you have read this information because, they are absolutely - printed in black and white - using the math and ela scores for placement in enrichment programs in our district.
There is no law that says schools can not use the tests. A few years back, most schools did use the State Assessments for Enrichment, G&T and honors placements. Now though with the State Assessments changing and being linked to Common Core, most schools have decided not to include the assessments as part of the placement tools as they are not developmentally appropriate and it would not be fair to base a placement on them. The school should be using teacher recommendations and classroom work/tests for their placement classes and maybe an IQ test for G&T programs. I do not know of any school that uses the assessments as a tool anymore. I would contact your superintendent and ask him/her what they are using. I would be surprised if they are still using them. This is for Long Island Schools....city schools may be different.
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| Posted 3/6/15 9:07 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
I'm just curious to see how other districts work***… DS will go to middle school at his current school, but other schools in the area don't have MS (I'm talking public schools in downtown Manhattan). As I mentioned, thinking about the future and going to HS, things in consideration are tests scores, grades and absent days. I'm guessing it is the same for MS (luckily we don't have to worry since DS will stay at his current school). In this case scenario, how could you opt out? Or there is a way you can apply without having the tests in consideration?
*** Pls forgive my ignorance in the subject, since everything is new for me. I grew up in another country, so I have no idea how the educational system works here. DS is my only one and DH doesn't help that much because he dislikes common core and all other stuff I'm just learning about. Thanks.
Message edited 3/7/2015 9:59:16 AM.
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| Posted 3/6/15 10:50 PM |
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leap29
LIF Toddler
Member since 12/05 399 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
Thank you, PatsBrat!!
So that's all we need to do?? Seems easy enough...
Few more questions:
If a child takes the tests and doesn't do well (gets less than a 2 which is passing, right?) what happens? Do they get left back or have to take test over or have to go to summer school?
I'm not very well informed as our school has not voluntarily given parents the info about opting out...nyc public school in queens.
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| Posted 3/7/15 6:37 AM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
No problem! 
The tests don't have any impact on promotion to the next grade. They may be used to determine who gets support services (resource room, reading) or enrichment, but their main purpose is to evaluate teachers.
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| Posted 3/7/15 6:55 AM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
It's not really about whether of not you think your child will do well. It's about standing up to an unfair and unethical politician (Cuomo) who has an agenda. To destroy public education and the teachers who teach there. It's just disgusting. I saw this online and thought it was great.
I don't refuse because the tests are hard. I don't refuse because my kids would do poorly. I refuse because:
- my kids are not guinea pigs
- the tests are developmentally inappropriate and are not in alignment with the standards
- I get ZERO data on what my children know and what they don't know (and I can get that type of data from my kids' teachers)
- I don't want the DOE or a third party vendor getting any more data points on my children
- it's immoral for a foreign for-profit company to make money on the backs of children
- the tests are being used to destroy our public school system by perpetuating a myth that our schools are failing
- the tests are designed and manipulated to ensure that 70% of the students fail
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| Posted 3/7/15 10:23 AM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: If your child is in a testing grade...
If you have not heard of Superintendent Joe Rella from the Comsewogue district on LI, and are looking for more information on Common Core and Cuomo's new plan, please watch this or google him. He is amazing and the way he stands up for public education, teachers and students is amazing. Many superintendents out there are laying low but he is out speaking at rallies and letting the truth be heard. This video is from a forum in Northport the other day. He will be speaking at various other rallies coming up. It's a little long but worth the watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFoIHHw1Tw
Message edited 3/7/2015 10:35:07 AM.
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| Posted 3/7/15 10:34 AM |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name:
Kate
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If your child is in a testing grade...
I was against opting out at first. Then I saw a practice ELA test that my third grader took. It was so developmentally inappropriate, it was laughable. I do agree that there is too much standardized testing and I feel like our only way to protest is to opt out. I haven't sent a letter yet, but I am considering it.
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| Posted 3/7/15 3:23 PM |
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