[TNS-list] Opt Out!

[PTA Parent Engagement]

Please take a moment to read this letter from TNS parent Ella Leitner
regarding State Tests, especially if you have a child in 3-5th grade and
are considering what to do.

Attached is the opt out form, which you can sign, scan and email to
Dyanthe. There are forms available in the office as well.

Dear families,



It’s our 9th year at TNS and our youngest child (Zack) is now in 5th grade.
I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you why our family has always
supported the opt out/test refusal movement. I am in no way an expert in
this issue; I simply come from a place of seeing the testing model played
out through my prior professional work in secondary education and
higher-ed, and I’m speaking only from the experience of my own kids and our
family. Simply stated:



   -

   We opt out because we as a family believe these tests are inequitable
   from a social and educational justice perspective and because they can sap
   a child’s confidence.
   -

   We opt out because there is so much inherent bias in the questions
   themselves and because those questions rarely reflect the standards they
   are supposed to be testing.
   -

   We opt out because the tests, by virtue of being graded on a bell curve,
   can't truly measure a student’s mastery of subject matter.


We also believe education dollars shouldn’t be spent on test prep, test
proctors and test materials, but should be spent on things like art and
music and smaller class sizes--and we are grateful to have those enriching
experiences here at TNS. As you think about the testing industry in
general, ask yourself: Who do these tests benefit? Follow the $–testing
companies! It’s certainly not the individual child.

Our now 7th grader did not take the tests in elementary school during her
time at TNS, yet that hasn't stopped her from now being engaged in her
academics and socially thriving. TNS had taught her how to think, how to
self-advocate and how to ask for help when it’s needed. When she does have
to take a test or be assessed in any way, she’s confident and prepared and
she does very well!

Opting out has always been our way of standing up in dissent and protesting
where we see an injustice, because that’s how we can bring about change.
It's a way to push back, but also a way to protect what we feel is working
in our school.

For 4th grade families considering the effect of a test score or lack
thereof on middle school admissions, remember: It is illegal for a school
to evaluate a child for middle school admissions solely on the criteria of
a test, but if a test score is present - it must be counted in the rubric.
So a poor test performance can actually hold a bright child back from
achieving their desired outcomes to middle school of their choice. There are
some schools that require tests, but the majority of TNS students go on to
middle schools that don’t look at test scores at all, or have work-around
in their admissions rubrics to accommodate the families that opt out. See
how many middle schools use criteria other than testing for the rubric here
<http://clt1092695.benchurl.com/c/l?u=A11F50B&e=100388A&c=10AC57&t=0&l=329E436D&email=wVaLDJpp4%2F9MjwYc6mVyIASXAE%2FMRK6o&seq=1>.


Whatever your choices on this issue, know that I support you and I’m here
to be a sounding board if you so desire. If you want to join me in Opting
Out, you can use th
<http://clt1092695.benchurl.com/c/l?u=A11F50C&e=100388A&c=10AC57&t=0&l=329E436D&email=wVaLDJpp4%2F9MjwYc6mVyIASXAE%2FMRK6o&seq=1>e
attached form. (Or just email Dyanthe and ccd your teacher/s in a note.)



My best,

Ella  (Zack’s mom, 5th grad



-- 
Parent Engagement Liaison
The Neighborhood School PTA
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