How to opt-out of FL tests..VERY carefully. How some plan to do so.

[madfloridian]

These are some tips from the Orlando Opt Out group, which is now up to 2000 members and growing.

It has to be carefully done as the state education leader says it's not possible. She warns of consequences if students try to opt out.

But opting out might still come with some consequences. A parent forwarded us a letter sent home from school about an upcoming field trip:
A letter sent home warning parents their student may not be able to attend a field trip if they miss the FCAT.

From the Orlando Sentinel this week.

Some students will opt out as new Florida tests debut

When Jenn Ashby's three children take Florida's new standardized tests next week, they plan to break the seal on a test booklet or log into a computer-based exam and then refuse, politely, to answer any questions.

The two youngest, ages 9 and 10, likely will carry notes they can share with a teacher. "I'm opting out," the notes will read. "Do not push me to take the test. Here's my mother's number."

The east Orange County family is part of a growing "opt-out" movement in Florida, fueled by parents upset by the high stakes attached to the state's standardized tests.

But leaders of the Orlando Opt Out group, which has grown to 2,000 members from 300 a year ago, said students who do what Ashby's children plan — starting tests but not answering any questions — are participating in the state testing system. They are just not providing enough information to earn a score.

These new tests are of particular concern as they were field-tested in Utah, a state that could not be more different than Florida. Utah has taken the test, did not like it, and is planning to do away with it.

Testing critics dislike that the FSA, like the FCAT before it, will be used to help make student-promotion and graduation decisions, evaluate teachers and grade schools A to F. They're also upset that Florida this year leased exam questions from Utah, noting that the failure rate there was high, with only 42 percent of Utah students scoring proficient in language arts.

I believe Florida paid Utah 5 million to use the test.

Found the info, FL paid Utah 5.4 million. Only 42% of students in Utah were able to pass it.

About Those Tests Florida Kids Take Next Week: Utah Republicans Want to Suspend and Replace Them

The exam has been controversial because fewer than half of Utah students cleared the test’s new standard of proficiency in last year’s assessment. SAGE is aligned with the Common Core Standards, which raised the bar for the state’s student performance.

According to this February update from Florida Stop Common Core Coalition, Florida’s commitment is more than most people realize:

In information found on the Utah legislative website, it turns out that Florida will not just be renting questions for the American Institute for Research (AIR) Common Core test from that state for one year for $5.4 million, but that it will be for three years. This will be at a cost of $16.2 million dollars on top of the $220 million over six years that Florida will spend on that test with AIR.

....With Floridians only two springs removed from an epic FCAT meltdown, kids are about to take another test which is being rejected by the state they bought the dang things from. Guys like Crisafulli can never admit that teachers were right and that the problem might just be that such tests – no matter who creates them – were never intended to be used like this.

[NYC_SKP]

1. This is how we have to take back our schools, madfloridian!

Parents united--- TPTB don't listen to parents and don't, for the most part, follow research, either.

[madfloridian]

7. Yes, even if it is gradual and slow in building.

They are not listening at all.

[madfloridian]

2. It's a growing movement. Districts seeking to stop opt outs, Parents seeking more ways.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/testing/as-interest-grows-in-opting-out-of-state-tests-school-districts-get-ready/2219395

Someone told me that I was taking the side of the GOP against Obama's policies. Probably right.

When left and right go full circle and meet on on issue, then a strong movement results.

Trouble is we who are looking from the teacher/student POV are thinking of how these tests harm the students. Many on the right often have other motives.

[Sancho]

3. Very interesting...

I wonder if this will spread.

[madfloridian]

4. It will spread. These groups are very busy and active.

[Sancho]

5. BTW....did you see this?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/edu/4890272315.html

One company's "reader" advertisement:

PAY
The starting pay is $10.70 per hour. After successful completion of three major scoring projects (or a minimum of 450 hours), readers who meet the minimum standards of production, accuracy and attendance will receive an increase to $11.45 per hour.

Big testing is a way to take money from the state, rip off as much as possible, and give it to the rich. No integrity.

[madfloridian]

6. Pearson hiring off Craigslist also. Really gives a feeling of confidence doesn't it?

http://www.fox4news.com/story/20662399/craigslist-ad-solicits-staar-test-graders

Don't you love it that these testing companies are hiring from Craigslist?

[ND-Dem]

12. wow. and hiring off craigslist.

[Sancho]

13. My wife's kids in Pinellas start testing today...

They had an inservice about it 2 weeks ago for the first time! She teaches music and reading. At the inservice, the teachers filled out a survey. My wife (and a bunch of other teachers) complained about:

1.) They haven't received new materials in years. She says the math, reading, and music curriculum has no coordination with the new test. Everyone is doing whatever they can, but she has spent a thousand dollars this year of her own money on materials, newsletters, and music that is "supposedly" aligned with the test.

2.) Her school only has a couple rooms with enough computers for a class to take the test, so they aren't sure how it will be scheduled. This is a fairly new "wired" school, and teachers have iPads, but not enough laptops or desktop computers.

3.) She is tutoring kids who are special, ESOL, or simply behind (that happens developmentally with K, 1,2) for part of her assignment. She says those kids don't have a chance to take the test - it's out of their range. Her high SES kids in 4th-5th grade (who sing in church, take private music lessons, own computers, etc.) won't have problems, but it's an SES thing, not really something that should grade the school. Even the good kids probably won't recognize the directions or some of the material that they never covered.

4.) The main problems are new math "techniques" that even the teachers don't have experience with and writing expectations that are grade inappropriate. In 38 years of teaching, including the best kids in "A" schools, she says there are writing activities that virtually no 1st or 3rd graders will get correct.

At any rate, that's a first hand report from the field.

[appalachiablue]

8. Good for the parents & kids. This is great action. Craigslist?

[madfloridian]

10. More would opt out, but the threats from the state worry them.

It's like uncharted territory.

[Starry Messenger]

9. k&r

[madfloridian]

11. Here are the twitter pages for opt out groups. Lots of them.

https://twitter.com/search?q=opt%20out&src=typd

A growing movement.

One I just noticed...leader of Colorado Opt Out group threatened with loss of job.

There will be consequences for many.

Consequences are worse if this insane type of testing continues.

[Sienna86]

14. Wish the kids weren't put in the position of refusing.

I'm in a state doing PARCC testing is month. i wish I didn't have to use my child to act against this testing.

[boston bean]

15. I would just drive my kid to the field trip myself.

Who are they to try and stop that. They can't.....

Or maybe organize with other parents who have the time to make the trip....

[madfloridian]

16. State Ed leader told FL Senate that opt out not permitted.

All the talk about choice and no choice about questionable tests that decide the future of teachers and schools.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-opt-out-florida-tests-commissioner-post.html

Florida students cannot legally opt out of the state's standardized exams, and their teachers and school districts could face trouble if they do -- or their parents do it for them, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart wrote today in a letter sent to key Florida state senators.

Stewart's letter -- written in response to a letter the senators sent her -- reiterated her position that state law (see section 1008.22 of the Florida statutes) "requires students to participate in the state assessment system, therefore there is no opt out clause or process for students to opt out or for parents to opt their children out."

....Opt out groups, including Opt Out Orlando, argue there are ways to legally refuse to take part in testing. Many opt-out advocates reacted angrily to Stewart's letter, sending emails and letters of their own to her office and to the Florida Legislature.

"I think you are under the impression we are asking permission. We are not," wrote one parent in an email shared with the Orlando Sentinel.

[quakerboy]

17. It brings to mind the phrase

"or what?"

[madfloridian]

18. Good one.

Yes, it does.