Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

DS is the 2nd grade but I know the Common Core testing is around the corner (starts in 3rd). I know this can be a hot topic but I'm wondering the reasoning behind opting out. Is it because it's not used for placement? Something else?

Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

First of all, common core is going away (well, they say it is but it's getting a new name so we'll see...)

A big reason people opt out is because the tests WERE 3 days (now each one is 2 days), timed (which stresses kids out...now they are UNtimed which means kids can spend 4 hours on it which is no better) and they had no relevance on student placement. Others opted out because they didn't believe that the test should be the be all end all in a teacher or school rating. Also, some parents did not like that the time leading up to the test (about 2 months) was NOT about learning but rather about test prep.

Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

I've also heard a lot of the things they are tested on they haven't necessarily learned.

Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

First off, these tests have been around for decades. They are not really called "common core testing", they are standardized tests in ELA, Math and Science. People only started calling them common core testing since the curriculum in the schools changed to "common core".

We opt out simply because they aren't required, have no bearing on ANYTHING, the results don't come back until the end of the Summer, and because when these tests came out with the common core changes, they were developmentally inappropriate. I have no idea how they are now, because my daughter is in 5th, and this will be the 3rd year we have opted out of all of them. They also reflect poorly on the teachers, especially special education teachers, because they are rated on how well their students do on them. Special education students are given the same tests as gen. ed, so it's not really fair to the teachers to be rated a 1 when their students get poor scores on the test because of their disability. My daughter is pretty smart as per her teachers. She always does well, and gets high marks in school. Some people think that we are afraid our kids won't pass them, and that is why we opt out, but that is not the case.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

My question about opting out is what are the kids doing those 2 days while the others are taking the test? Also, if they are prepping them for 2+ months in advance and not learning anything else, why wouldn't we want them to take the tests since that's all they have been doing leading up to it.

Message edited 3/9/2018 10:55:56 AM.

Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

The whole issue of Opting Out of the standardized testing started a few years ago with the roll out of the Common Core. There was always standardized testing and there was never a problem but since the roll out of the new ciriculum was such a cluster f the standardized testing was testing students on information they did not learn yet or was way above their developmental ages. Then the state said they were tying the scores of these tests to teacher reviews and that has a whole host of reasons on why it is unfair. Parents took a stand and started opting out. The only exception to this was the 4th and 8th grade science tests as they were not changed to a new ciriculum. Fast forward a few years and most of the children are now learning the material on the tests and most schools are not tied the results into teachers performances. Since the results are not tied anymore, most teachers are not teaching to the test and we do not really have to worry about that anymore. All in all these tests mean nothing, they are only a benchmark for the state. There is no need for anyone to take them if they do not want to and the schools should not penalize if students do not take. We opt out as I have a special needs student and there is no need for her to sit through 4 days of testing. She gets tested enough.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Message edited 3/12/2018 10:52:55 AM.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Message edited 3/12/2018 3:12:13 PM.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Test scores are definitely looked at to evaluate teachers, whether or not admin chooses to publicize that. In the NYCDOE, test scores are absolutely looked at to place students.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

My current sixth grader took the state tests in third, fourth and fifth grade. This year, I am opting out my third grader and sixth grader. I am choosing to opt out because I went to the NYState website and read the ELA test that my son took in fourth grade, and it is outrageously developmentally inappropriate. The passage was difficult to read, long and boring. The questions were ridiculous, and the multiple choices offered as answers were so similar, that even I couldn’t figure out what the answer was. My mother, an English major in college and a former English teacher, could not say for sure what the answers were.

I am also opting out because my district is going to start offering a more developmentally appropriate test this year.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

I just want to help clarify some terminology. Common Core is a curriculum that all New York state follows. The NYS testing is in grades 3-8. The Common Core Curriculum has been "rebranded" as Next Generation Standards as a direct result of the Opt Out movement. There are many reasons to OPT OUT and why it is important to continue to OPT OUT. It is not over, however many improvements have been made since it has started. If you want to learn more, if you are on FB join Long Island Opt Out. NYSAPE Is also another fabulous resource that will explain what is going on. Many parents are not informed correctly because for a while it was taboo for teachers to even talk about it to parents with out risking their job. For some to say that the children need practice for later on in life, I have a different opinion. Would you give your 12 year old the keys to your car to practice for their road test at 16 years of age? No! What about your 8 year old? There is plenty of time to practice this type of testing later on when the tests are appropriate and measure what they are being taught. Back in the early 2000's these tests were appropriate and gave teachers valuable information. The second that the tests became for profit was when our children became political pawns in this crazy game. My children are more than a score, more than a number and will not participate in these tests until the necessary changes are made.
Here is a link for the reasons why to OPT OUT in 2018:
Why I should Opt Out of testing in 2018

Message edited 3/21/2018 8:02:35 PM.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

I have never opted out. There are many things to have in consideration. First, it would be the kid. My DS got very nervous on 3rd grade, but now in 7th grade, he is not nervous at all, but he takes it seriously, specially because he knows it counts for his records and HS applications.

I heard it is not grade appropriate. DS has done well, and I think it has built his stamina that I have found difficult to build that at home. Personal case: He was invited to apply for a public school that requires a 3 hour test. We never found the time or the right location for him to take prep tests. Library was closed, at home he got distracted, etc.

DS has to apply for HS next year, and some schools consider test scores. Now DS has taken those tests and he knows what to expect and he feels more comfortable about them.

I think it is a personal choice, according to individual situations. In our case it has worked.

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Re: Can someone explain this to me (Common Core)

Message edited 4/1/2018 9:36:06 PM.