Amid Standardized Testing Discussion, Commack Parents Debate 'Opting Out'

While parents in Commack debate the value of standardized tests for elementary and middle school students, the conversation has focused around one key question.

Can parents choose to not have their children take these tests, known as "opting out"?

The term refers to the question of whether parents can choose to have their children in grades 3 through 8 not take the upcoming state standardized tests, which are designed to measure proficiency in English and math based on the new "common core" school curriculum. The common core curriculum, adopted by 42 states so far, is a national standard to align student learning and better prepare them for college and careers.

On Facebook, a handful of "opt out" groups have formed, like this one here, in which parents share information, resources, opinions and anecdotes regarding the idea that their children can refuse to participate in the testing. However, according to this article published by the New York State Association of School Attorneys, New York State education law does not allow for opting out of the tests except in certain special education circumstances.

Supporters of the "opt out" movement say the testing is too stressful for kids and it takes away valuable classroom time that could be spent focusing on the curriculum rather than on test prep. Some also say the lower passing scores will lead to low self-esteem in students who may feel upset for performing "poorly" on the tests.

Via the Commack Patch Facebook page, community members had this to say:

Simone Rofe Jacobs said that the tests might be too stressful for some kids.

“Yes. All children are not created equal. Some learn differently,” she said. “For a child that struggles with reading these tests are way too long and torture for the kids to sit through. For a child that gets additional test time they can be sitting through this test for three hours a day!”

Jacobs said that the kids with reading and math issues should be identified by their teachers and should already be getting additional support.

“These tests are grading schools and teachers not children,” she added.

Jeannie Tzanetos Cecere agreed with Jacobs.

“These tests and preparations for them are taking over the classrooms,” she said. “Children should be assessed by their own classroom teacher who knows their abilities and weaknesses. Standardized tests do not take into account a child’s effort or willingness to learn. Some children are just not good test takers and should not be faulted for this. It is sad that we as a society should still be trying to ‘one up’ each other to prove that we live in the ‘best school district.’”

Jacobs said that adults might have a hard time with standardized testing.

“I would like to see our politicians take these tests,” she said. “And to make the tests so hard they expect to see a 15-30 percent drop in scores. What are they proving? Albany needs to let teachers teach.”

Phyllis De Francesco Crawley does not have a high opinion in the tests.

“Standardized tests are the ruination of our education system,” she said. “I went to school in Commack but live in Florida so my daughters have had to deal with the Florida tests.”

Crawley described the difficulties her daughters had with standardized testing getting through school.

“The standardized tests only accomplish two things: destroying students' self confidence and undermining teachers' ability to actually teach,” she said.

Jeannie Tzanetos Cecere said she remembered taking standardized tests in school.

“…but I don’t remember spending weeks and weeks on end preparing for them, taking home review packets, having to come in early or stay after school for workshops to do ‘better’ on them,” she said. “I will continue to do what I've always done with my kids and that is, encourage them to do their best but not to worry over it. I used to send them to those workshops and finally realized I was not going to play that game.”

Like Jacobs, Cecere said the teachers, not the tests know a student’s abilities best.

“No standardized test is going to tell me what kind of student my child is,” she said. “Only his/her classroom teacher(s) can do that because they are the ones spending six to seven hours a day with them.”

A meeting on the topic of standardized testing – which will feature discussion by retired educators, school attorneys and the founder of one of the "opt out" Facebook pages – is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Willow Creek Golf and Country Club in Mount Sinai.

What's your take on student testing? Do you support the idea that parents should be allowed to opt out of the testing for their children? Log in to Patch and share your thoughts as a comment below.