From the Burlington County Times 10/14/2014 BOE stands firm on NJ testing law Several parents have indicated they will instruct their children to refuse PARCC tests, saying the tests dont account for different learning styles. By Alexis Sachdev Staff writer DELANCO - A band of parents, whose children are in the Delanco Township Public School District, are pushing back against the state-mandated standardized PARCC tests, arguing the tests dont benefit their kids. But the Board of Education remains steadfast. On Wednesday, the Board approved an official statement outlining its districtwide procedure if students or parents opt out or refuse the test, which is administered twice a year for third- through 11th-graders. First of all, theres no opt-out option in New Jersey, said Joseph Mersinger, superintendent and middle school principal. Refusal is a different subject. Several parents have indicated they will instruct their children to refuse PARCC tests, or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, saying the tests dont account for different learning styles. In its statement, the board affirmed it will not accept these refusals, based on state and federal guidelines. Instead, it has outlined four possible scenarios if a student should refuse examination and the districts response protocol: If parents or guardians notify the teacher, principal or superintendent in advance of their wish to opt their child out of testing, they will receive a letter denying the request. If a child is not in school the day of testing, parents and guardians will receive a phone call from the attendance office. Excused absences require sufficient justification or documentation; if refusal to take the test is a reason for absence, the absence will be deemed unexcused. Parents will be notified of make-up dates for testing. Students who attend school but refuse to take the test will be directed to take the test. If they continue to refuse, they will be asked to sit quietly; no alternative activity will be provided. Disruptions will be treated as disciplinary issues. Students who refuse any graded test or assessment will be directed to take the test. If they further refuse, they will be asked to sit quietly. No alternative activity will be provided. Disruptions will be treated as disciplinary issues. Students will receive a zero for the assessment. The district is required to administer these tests to all students in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code Regulations, established by the New Jersey Department of Education. According to its statement, the district is bound by a federal requirement to have 95 percent of students take and complete the test. Mersinger said he has suggested parents direct their concerns to the proper sources, such as writing letters to their legislators. But he and the board are firm that they will not violate state law. Matt Bartlett, a Delanco resident whose child attends Walnut Street Middle School, sees it differently. In Bartletts eyes, the power of the parent overrides the power of the school. Under the 14th Amendment, parents have the liberty, the fundamental liberty to control the education of their children, he said, citing Section 1 of the amendment that says no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property. One of those liberties is to control your childs education. The resolution was prepared by the boards solicitor; the board contracts Parker McCay, a Mount Laurel law firm. Bartlett also has questioned the common sit and stare policy, meaning that students who refuse examinations must sit quietly in the testing room and cannot engage in other work. He cited Montclair Public School District, where students who refuse to participate in NJ ASK (Assessment of Skills and Knowledge) standardized tests are removed from the classroom and may do school work or independent reading. To that end, Mersinger said refusal has the potential to snowball, wherein if one student refuses PARCC assessments, several will follow that students lead in the classroom. It hinders our ability to achieve our goals as a district, he said. Ruth Esposito, a mom and president of the Delanco Parent Teacher Organization, agreed. The kids who arent participating, it could be a distraction to my child, who will be taking the test, she said. Esposito has two children, in fourth and sixth grades, both of whom will be taking PARCC examinations. I dont know whats best for every single kid in town, she said, but I always assume the school is trying to promote whats best for its students. I do believe that the testing is used by the school for the improvement of our kids education, she added. When asked if having a child sit and stare similarly hinders a childs ability to learn, Mersinger didnt see it that way. Its the parent directing the child (to refuse), not the district, he said. Its not the district who wants the child to refuse. What were trying to achieve as a district, like education for the students, achievement for the students, safety of the students, were working to achieve it every day, the superintendent added. The idea of refusal is problematic because we have so many, many different things to accomplish each day ... it presents a challenge to authority. PARCCs origins trace back to 2001, when then-President George W. Bush implemented No Child Left Behind, a congressional act that aimed to close the achievement gap by threatening schools with closure if standardized evaluations werent up to par. Critics of the No Child Left Behind legislation, however, argue the measure contained unrealistic goals, namely 100 percent of students scoring proficiently by 2014. President Barack Obamas Race to the Top, announced in 2009, introduced new incentives to take standardized tests. States that meet certain criteria best, such as teacher performance and standardized student test scores, will receive a chunk of $4.35 billion of federal funds. For states and schools that dont perform well, that means less money, which is often the difference between new textbooks or technology. Bartlett said that system doesnt benefit the children, and often results in teachers teaching to the test, and not to the curriculum. Mersinger denied the claim, saying that the standardized tests are based off the common-core curriculum that all schools have implemented. Bartlett said hes not done pushing back, and is examining his options in contacting state and federal government employees. Its not ending, thats for sure, he said.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:43:20 +0000
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