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Opting Out of State Testing
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
Name:
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
I hope this link works its last nights forum at Hofstra -more than a number how state testing is affecting the educational and emotional health of students.
Sorry I can't get it to load its on you tube
Message edited 4/12/2013 10:49:55 PM.
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Posted 4/11/13 10:14 PM  |
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onlylisa
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 740 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by FranM
I hope this link works its last nights forum at Hofstra -more than a number how state testing is affecting the educational and emotional health of students.
It's not working for me, can you tell me where it's hosted so I can try and find it, please?
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| Posted 4/12/13 7:54 PM |
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LIMomma
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/12 523 total posts
Name:
Momma
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
I have been reading it all, including the state information and the parent information. I've watched the meeting videos and I've talked to the teachers. I've read the school board referendum opposing state testing (nice with no real tangible benefit). I've read the corestandards.org website (the most disturbing of it all). Here's where I am, here are my thoughts.
Common core is not "going away". Testing is not "going away".
Common core has been around for 3 years (this is the first testing year). The intent of common core's mission is not a bad one, but it is a mission with a BAD implementation, which is what our children are suffering through. The ORIGINAL mission of the common core was to align goals and standards across the country (only 5 states are not part of the common core standards), it was NEVER intended to be curriculum. (I say that as I roll my eyes) The countless for-profits that are part of the CCSSO as "partners" is the reason I roll my eyes. They even tier them as Level 1,2 and 3 partners which means its a pay to play partnership with this "organization". The impact to all this "implementation" is a direct hit to our children's every day school life, to our teachers, and to all of our future.
This should not be about the test, feelings and emotions of THE test should not be what we are upset about. Opting out of the test is not going to stop this, it's not going to impact or "show" NYS that this is wrong. This is bigger than Mr. Cuomo (although I don't believe he thinks so). The opt-out of the test will not change the chain reaction of not allowing our educators to do what they do best...EDUCATE our children. This waterfall effect of this common core stops the very core of what is so important for our children. Creativity, Objective Learning, Lessons that are important but not part of any curriculum. We've lost the momentum on STEM, on innovation, creative writing, idea generation and problem solving. FOR WHAT? FOR PROFIT.
I've seen the posts and blogs on private schools and home schooling. Guess what - all of those options will still have testing for children. I've seen the complaints that is this gearing all kids for college -- I agree but that started with NCLB. I don't think there is a cookie cutter for all kids and I don't believe that every person is destined for college. In fact some of the most successful people I know never even considered college, however they also took tests, almost every vocation has a testing requirement.
After all this ranting here's where I am. My daughter will take the test, because I don't believe there is a lesson for her in opting out. I don't believe she should be a pawn, and if I use her as such then I'm no better than the CCSSO. I do believe that she should be prepared to answer to what she has learned.
I also believe that the Common Core needs to go back to being JUST an alignment of commonality in standards and NOT about curriculum mandates and testing. That needs to happen at the state level AND with 45 states involved at the federal level. Our state and federal representatives need to step up, the CCSSO is LOBBYING in Washington to continue to profit from our schools, if they are successful we will never be. I think that this needs to stop being viewed as a local issue "what my school said, did, is doing for...". There are so many emotions in the bucket right now that the local uprising is going to be nothing more than an Occupy "Whatever" type movement. People with good intentions and no real foundation to make an impact. What needs to happen is a call to action by our elected officials to understand WHO is truly benefiting from this country-wide epidemic. The National PTA, the Teachers Associations and Unions, and Principal Associations, our children and we as parents need to bring to light that turning a profit at the expense of our children's education is simply not acceptable.
Message edited 4/13/2013 10:46:06 AM.
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| Posted 4/12/13 7:59 PM |
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
Name:
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
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| Posted 4/12/13 10:48 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by LIMomma
I have been reading it all, including the state information and the parent information. I've watched the meeting videos and I've talked to the teachers. I've read the school board referendum opposing state testing (nice with no real tangible benefit). I've read the corestandards.org website (the most disturbing of it all). Here's where I am, here are my thoughts.
Common core is not "going away". Testing is not "going away".
Common core has been around for 3 years (this is the first testing year). The intent of common core's mission is not a bad one, but it is a mission with a BAD implementation, which is what our children are suffering through. The ORIGINAL mission of the common core was to align goals and standards across the country (only 5 states are not part of the common core standards), it was NEVER intended to be curriculum. (I say that as I roll my eyes) The countless for-profits that are part of the CCSSO as "partners" is the reason I roll my eyes. They even tier them as Level 1,2 and 3 partners which means its a pay to play partnership with this "organization". The impact to all this "implementation" is a direct hit to our children's every day school life, to our teachers, and to all of our future.
This should not be about the test, feelings and emotions of THE test should not be what we are upset about. Opting out of the test is not going to stop this, it's not going to impact or "show" NYS that this is wrong. This is bigger than Mr. Cuomo (although I don't believe he thinks so). The opt-out of the test will not change the chain reaction of not allowing our educators to do what they do best...EDUCATE our children. This waterfall effect of this common core stops the very core of what is so important for our children. Creativity, Objective Learning, Lessons that are important but not part of any curriculum. We've lost the momentum on STEM, on innovation, creative writing, idea generation and problem solving. FOR WHAT? FOR PROFIT.
I've seen the posts and blogs on private schools and home schooling. Guess what - all of those options will still have testing for children. I've seen the complaints that is this gearing all kids for college -- I agree but that started with NCLB. I don't think there is a cookie cutter for all kids and I don't believe that every person is destined for college. In fact some of the most successful people I know never even considered college, however they also took tests, almost every vocation has a testing requirement.
After all this ranting here's where I am. My daughter will take the test, because I don't believe there is a lesson for her in opting out. I don't believe she should be a pawn, and if I use her as such then I'm no better than the CCSSO. I do believe that she should be prepared to answer to what she has learned.
I also believe that the Common Core needs to go back to being JUST an alignment of commonality in standards and NOT about curriculum mandates and testing. That needs to happen at the state level AND with 45 states involved at the federal level. Our state and federal representatives need to step up, the CCSSO is LOBBYING in Washington to continue to profit from our schools, if they are successful we will never be. I think that this needs to stop being viewed as a local issue "what my school said, did, is doing for...". There are so many emotions in the bucket right now that the local uprising is going to be nothing more than an Occupy "Whatever" type movement. People with good intentions and no real foundation to make an impact. What needs to happen is a call to action by our elected officials to understand WHO is truly benefiting from this country-wide epidemic. The National PTA, the Teachers Associations and Unions, and Principal Associations, our children and we as parents need to bring to light that turning a profit at the expense of our children's education is simply not acceptable.
Thank you....REALLY good points made here and possibly changing my mind on the whole opt out...BUT...wondering, since your well versed in the matter, WHAT then does the normal lay parent do? What can be done to voice concerns when no one seems to be listening?
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| Posted 4/13/13 8:53 PM |
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2BadSoSad
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6791 total posts
Name:
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by LIMomma
I have been reading it all, including the state information and the parent information. I've watched the meeting videos and I've talked to the teachers. I've read the school board referendum opposing state testing (nice with no real tangible benefit). I've read the corestandards.org website (the most disturbing of it all). Here's where I am, here are my thoughts.
Common core is not "going away". Testing is not "going away".
Common core has been around for 3 years (this is the first testing year). The intent of common core's mission is not a bad one, but it is a mission with a BAD implementation, which is what our children are suffering through. The ORIGINAL mission of the common core was to align goals and standards across the country (only 5 states are not part of the common core standards), it was NEVER intended to be curriculum. (I say that as I roll my eyes) The countless for-profits that are part of the CCSSO as "partners" is the reason I roll my eyes. They even tier them as Level 1,2 and 3 partners which means its a pay to play partnership with this "organization". The impact to all this "implementation" is a direct hit to our children's every day school life, to our teachers, and to all of our future.
This should not be about the test, feelings and emotions of THE test should not be what we are upset about. Opting out of the test is not going to stop this, it's not going to impact or "show" NYS that this is wrong. This is bigger than Mr. Cuomo (although I don't believe he thinks so). The opt-out of the test will not change the chain reaction of not allowing our educators to do what they do best...EDUCATE our children. This waterfall effect of this common core stops the very core of what is so important for our children. Creativity, Objective Learning, Lessons that are important but not part of any curriculum. We've lost the momentum on STEM, on innovation, creative writing, idea generation and problem solving. FOR WHAT? FOR PROFIT.
I've seen the posts and blogs on private schools and home schooling. Guess what - all of those options will still have testing for children. I've seen the complaints that is this gearing all kids for college -- I agree but that started with NCLB. I don't think there is a cookie cutter for all kids and I don't believe that every person is destined for college. In fact some of the most successful people I know never even considered college, however they also took tests, almost every vocation has a testing requirement.
After all this ranting here's where I am. My daughter will take the test, because I don't believe there is a lesson for her in opting out. I don't believe she should be a pawn, and if I use her as such then I'm no better than the CCSSO. I do believe that she should be prepared to answer to what she has learned.
I also believe that the Common Core needs to go back to being JUST an alignment of commonality in standards and NOT about curriculum mandates and testing. That needs to happen at the state level AND with 45 states involved at the federal level. Our state and federal representatives need to step up, the CCSSO is LOBBYING in Washington to continue to profit from our schools, if they are successful we will never be. I think that this needs to stop being viewed as a local issue "what my school said, did, is doing for...". There are so many emotions in the bucket right now that the local uprising is going to be nothing more than an Occupy "Whatever" type movement. People with good intentions and no real foundation to make an impact. What needs to happen is a call to action by our elected officials to understand WHO is truly benefiting from this country-wide epidemic. The National PTA, the Teachers Associations and Unions, and Principal Associations, our children and we as parents need to bring to light that turning a profit at the expense of our children's education is simply not acceptable.
All really good points. It is not the testing I have a problem with, per se. It is the curriculum now. It has voided their education and their teachers jobs of all creativity, of all thinking out of the box projects. It is now a system the does not instill a love, but rather a stress of learning. I feel sorry for the great teachers out there, who have lost their love of teaching bc the creativity they can bring to our children, the ability to instill a fun of learning that has been taken from them.
I am unhappy about the profits being made off the education of our children, the lining of corporation (ahem, persons) pockets should NEVER be a factor in how my (our) children are educated.
I am not happy about the testing, but I will not use my child as a pawn in this either. I believe it will be MORE stressful for them to have to sit there for 70 minutes during testing, to remember to vocally refuse the test to the proctor, to remember to not write on their form, and then to make them "different" from all the other children in their class who are taking the test. They are too young to understand "why" and to them, they are just different. To put the pressure on them and put them in a position where they have to sit quietly (as my district is not offering alternative things to do during testing), that to me, is worse for them at that age bc they don't understand the politics at work. They don't know why they are doing it.
Additionally, from what I understand bc I have been following this very closely, there could be repercussions from this. It is my understanding that if 95% of the school doesn't test it affects funding. If your district loses funding, the creative outlets they do have left, music, art, sports, clubs, etc are always the first to be cut from the budget. And who makes up the budgetary shortfalls? We do.
It's not right, and I am not OK with it, but I don't think "opting out" is the solution to this problem; although I do feel those parents who are opting out have their hearts in the right place and I understand their frustration.
Message edited 4/14/2013 12:02:49 AM.
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| Posted 4/13/13 10:46 PM |
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LIMomma
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/12 523 total posts
Name:
Momma
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Opting Out of State Testing
I really don't think I still know what's truly going on, but what I read I don't like. Most states are not testing until next year, which I'm not sure is going to make a lot of difference. I see the change in my daughter's curriculum and it drives me crazy (I can only imagine how the teachers who are living it feel). I do think that it's great that there is some fundamentals taught younger, like base 10 algebra... HOWEVER the educators need the time to SHOW the children WHY, not just know this and I need to move on to teach all the test points. I read Diane Ravitch's blog, I find her insightful. I think that the people we elect need to step into this and IF there is lobbying and federal funds tied into private profits of our education system then this is much bigger than a district level, will my child take the test.
Message edited 4/14/2013 11:06:43 AM.
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| Posted 4/14/13 11:05 AM |
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Moehick
Ready for the sun!
Member since 5/05 30339 total posts
Name:
Properly perfect™
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by KarenK122
Haven't kids been taking these tests for decades? I remember taking them when I was in school. I honestly don't see what the big deal is. We were always taught for the test because it showed what was suppose to be learned by a certain grade level. I would be more concerned about the APPR that the poor teachers have to deal with. The paperwork alone and the unnecessary testing because of that takes away from valuable teaching time.
Tests are heavily tied into teacher evaluations so that is all your child learns...was not such a heavy emphasis in years past. Sure you had testing growing up....but you also had science, social studies, experiments, projects, memories.
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| Posted 4/14/13 6:26 PM |
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Onemoretime
LIF Adult
Member since 9/12 1077 total posts
Name:
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
I understand everyone's frustrations, I'm sure it's a lot of prepping. I won't have my kids opt out, they should be able to pass / do well on this standardized test. It's not a good lesson to teach them. I want them to study hard and do homework etc. things are only going to get increasingly difficult for our kids. There is so much competition now. Students from other countries are taking up many seats in our universities, leaving less spots for our children. We have to start preparing our little kids now, as things are changing, becoming much more competitive. The job is going to get much harder for teachers, that's for sure.
I feel like this change is so we can become stronger in education, but the way it's happening may not be best. I also think the kids need a longer school day, and more school days. In order to prepare for these exams, AND have a well rounded education. Art and science is very important too. Kids in china are in school all day long, and only get a few weeks off during the summer. That is what we are competing with. Opting out of these test will make things more difficult for our kids later on down the line.
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| Posted 4/15/13 12:54 PM |
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BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!
Member since 11/08 8346 total posts
Name:
Kristie
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by stinger
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by onlylisa
I plan to have my child opt out of testing. It's appalling how everything they teach is preparation for the tests. Here is an interesting website with a lot of info:
Children Should Not Be a Number
Your child will still be learning the content that is required to take the tests though right? So what is the benefit to opting out of the testing?
I was just about to write this. They spend so much time prepping what would your child do during this time? Would you have him/her continue to prep and just not take the tests??
That's pretty much my thoughts. Whether you opt out or not, the teachers still teach for the test. I do have to say with a now 7th grader it is a little less obvious than in 4th and 5th grade. Those years they were told and only did math right before the tests. Same thing with the ELA.
Now it is what it is. We have the same schedule no extra math or English to prep for a test.
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| Posted 4/15/13 2:52 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
I know it is frustrating.....I am a high school teacher, so I dont do the ELAS, but what example are you teaching your kids by telling them to not take the test, or to bubble in certian letters, so the test is invalid??
Message edited 4/18/2013 9:45:31 AM.
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| Posted 4/18/13 9:44 AM |
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by Onemoretime
I understand everyone's frustrations, I'm sure it's a lot of prepping. I won't have my kids opt out, they should be able to pass / do well on this standardized test. It's not a good lesson to teach them. I want them to study hard and do homework etc. things are only going to get increasingly difficult for our kids. There is so much competition now. Students from other countries are taking up many seats in our universities, leaving less spots for our children. We have to start preparing our little kids now, as things are changing, becoming much more competitive. The job is going to get much harder for teachers, that's for sure.
I feel like this change is so we can become stronger in education, but the way it's happening may not be best. I also think the kids need a longer school day, and more school days. In order to prepare for these exams, AND have a well rounded education. Art and science is very important too. Kids in china are in school all day long, and only get a few weeks off during the summer. That is what we are competing with. Opting out of these test will make things more difficult for our kids later on down the line.
I agree..This morning my first grader asked me how long his school day was... it is 6.5 hours. Now out of that he gets 40 minutes of recess. That doesn't seem like a lot of time to learn what they need to learn. I don't think making the day longer is better but I do think making the school year longer maybe by 6 or 7 weeks would be better.
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| Posted 4/22/13 6:48 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: Opting Out of State Testing
Posted by JerseyMamaOf3
Posted by Onemoretime
I understand everyone's frustrations, I'm sure it's a lot of prepping. I won't have my kids opt out, they should be able to pass / do well on this standardized test. It's not a good lesson to teach them. I want them to study hard and do homework etc. things are only going to get increasingly difficult for our kids. There is so much competition now. Students from other countries are taking up many seats in our universities, leaving less spots for our children. We have to start preparing our little kids now, as things are changing, becoming much more competitive. The job is going to get much harder for teachers, that's for sure.
I feel like this change is so we can become stronger in education, but the way it's happening may not be best. I also think the kids need a longer school day, and more school days. In order to prepare for these exams, AND have a well rounded education. Art and science is very important too. Kids in china are in school all day long, and only get a few weeks off during the summer. That is what we are competing with. Opting out of these test will make things more difficult for our kids later on down the line.
I agree..This morning my first grader asked me how long his school day was... it is 6.5 hours. Now out of that he gets 40 minutes of recess. That doesn't seem like a lot of time to learn what they need to learn. I don't think making the day longer is better but I do think making the school year longer maybe by 6 or 7 weeks would be better.
I agree with this. Plus then it would make things easier for working parents.
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| Posted 4/22/13 9:30 PM |
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