Need Elementary Ed teacher's input (and parents' opinions, too.)

[Maddy McCall]

The saga continues. My fifth-grade son was taken out of class--the only student in his class taken out--and was tested without my permission two weeks ago. I was not notified that he was tested, nor was I notified of any testing results.

I want to know what he was tested for--maybe some of you can tell me, before I call his teacher. He tested advanced in all subjects on his aptitude test last year; don't know if that has anything to do with this testing, but what really bothers me is that I was not notified before or after.

A nurse came and got him, and only him, out of class. She took him from the fifth grade building to the junior high building. First, she tested his hearing, then she tested his eyesight. THEN, she had a flip book, and she made him tell her what was depicted in the book--he said there were four images on each page. He said the test took about half an hour, and then she took him back to class.

First of all, I want to know in what role she was acting. Next, I want to know how the school believes that it has the authority to test my son in this way without notifying me. Third, I want to know why the school has been so secretive about this, and has not even told me THAT he was tested.

(Again, this is a conservative, rural public school in Mississippi--doesn't even have a PTA because the administration doesn't want parental input--it's run like a private school. And whether or not I homeschool my son will be decided on the outcome of this...let me say that it is just the last link in a long chain of events at the school. Some of you are aquainted with what we have been through. Those of you who don't know the history, I want to tell you that I am not an alarmist--I am a pacifist and would prefer that everything go smoothly, but unfortunately, it doesn't.)

A big thanks for the very valued advice that I know you all will provide.

[Guy Fawkes]

1. Around here...

hearing and eyesight tests are done from k-5 by the school as a service to parents. The parents aren't told on the day, but notified that the school will be testing students on certain days.

The part with the flip book and pictures sounds like an aptitude test, like they could be testing for mental disabilities. A teacher may have been surprised by your son's high test scores as compared to his performance in class and ordered a test done to see if your son had any mental irregularities.

I don't know the rules of your school district, but it was very wrong of them to do any testing -special to your son only- without notifying you beforehand. If I were you, I would go to the principal of the school and ask what happened.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Thanks, Guy

I was fine with the eyesight and hearing. It was the flipbook test that bothered me.

Thanks for your advice. That was the direction in which I was already leaning.

[fishnfla]

3. sounds like a health screening of some kind

the flip book--do you have any more info?

they check color vision and stereopsis (eye tests) that way in children.

maybe at the beginjning of the year you signed a release at some tim for health screening tests?

[AwakeAtLast]

4. In my district

any testing for deficiencies is always done with the consent of the parent. Vision and hearing screening are done on designated days, usually announced in the newletter. This secretiveness is very troubling coming from a public school. You have every right to ask questions and get concrete answers. You may have to press the issue with the help of legal counsel.

[murielm99]

5. Find out about the laws in your state.

In most states, parents have a right to know about testing before it is done.

Parents are supposed to be part of the process, and can refuse or request testing.

You may need to contact the NEA for further input. They can tell you what is legal in your state, and how to proceed on this.

Most teachers do not like this any more than parents.

[clydefrand]

6. In the state of VA, no one is allowed to administer tests

unless they are academic, subject matter tests that teachers always give as a part of their teaching duties. Special tests for physical, academic or behavioral evaluations are done only with the approval of the parents. At least that is the way it was done when I was teaching and none of my friends who are teachers indicate that it is anything other than this. The procedure would most likely be a letter informing you of the nature of said test, asking your permission for administering it and the reasons for thinking it appropriate. Perhaps you would more than likely receive a call from a guidance counselor, principal or the actual tester in addition to the letter for your written signature and permission.

Are you certain that your son was not given a form to bring home...one that he might have failed to bring in a timely manner...one that he discovered in his school bag that needed to be signed by a certain day...one that he might have signed himself or got someone else to sign it for him...and then forgot all about it...therefore didn't think to tell you about it? Please don't misunderstand me...I'm not accusing your son of doing anything wrong. BUT, I did teach for 32 years and I know that kids sometimes get so involved with their work/play/social life that they do forget. He might even have forgotten what it was that was signed; therefore, the test was a surprise to him. It might also be a continuation of some test that was done the school year preceding.

Please ask you son these questions and by all means contact the school and ask to see the paper that was signed giving them permission to administer this test. If they say there was none and they did this without your permission, then you have every reason to be upset even if they meant no harm and was in a way exploring ways to better educate your child. You should have been notified and asked permission for any test..physical or mental...unless it was a classroom test normally given by teachers to all students.

Let me know what you find out.

[Christiana]

7. Teacher here...

We usually have health screenings -- lice every few months, eyesight once or twice a year, etc. We don't get permission to do it, but I can't remember if we send out parent notification.

[Maddy McCall]

8. What about the pictures?

And why would my son be singled out?

Thanks for your expertise. :-)

[Christiana]

11. Pictures...

I don't know why your son would be singled out, unless they suspected that there was something emotionally going on. In which case you should have been contacted so that you and the school could work out a plan for your son.

The pictures I think are usually a psychological test -- like looking at splotches and saying what you see. Usually, I think, they're pictures of people in situations, like having a conversation, or waiting in line at the grocery store, and students have to come up with scenarios for the pictures.

Maybe they're thinking of advancing him a grade and want to see if he is developmentally/emotionally ready.

Sorry I can't tell you more. I'd contact the principal, and if he/she is unwilling to help, contact the super intendant.

[Deb]

9. I have assisted our school nurse with these tests

She is required to screen each child K-6th for hearing and sight. The flip book is a color blindness test.

The nurse writes a memo, that the teacher sends home with each child, to inform parents about the testing and ask parents to be sure their children wear any glasses or hearing aids to school.

If children show any signs of a problem the parents are immediately notified by the nurse. If everything is within normal range, no further communication is sent home.

I really appreciated this in our school because the nurse found our son needed glasses to correct a slight problem that didn't develop until the 4th grade.

[Maddy McCall]

10. My question is, why was he the only one tested in his grade...

and why wasn't I notified before or after?

Thanks for telling me the purpose of the flip book.

And thanks for your very informative post. :-)