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parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
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seasaw
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JEKS1219
Here it is appendix m of the admin guidelines put out by the state. As a mom of a 3rd grader, watching my bright girl who normally loves going to school fill with anxiety was difficult. There has to be a better way than No Child Left Untested.....
Appendix M: Rules to Determine Whether a Student Receives a Valid Score
The following rules will determine whether the student receives a valid score:
• Students who were present for an administration, including make-ups, of all sessions of the test and who responded to at least one question on the test will receive valid scores and be counted as tested in calculating a school’s participation rate.
• Students will be considered to have been present for all sessions unless they are marked as absent for the entire test or for one or more sessions.
• Students with a final score of “999” will be counted as not tested in calculating a school’s participation rate. A final score will be “999” only if one of the following occurred:
a. The student was absent for the entire test,
b. The student refused the entire test,
c. The student was absent for any session,
d. The student was present for all sessions but did not respond to even one question on the test,
e. The student’s results were invalidated due to an administrative error, or
f. The student’s SIRS record shows him or her as enrolled for the entire test administration period but includes no appropriate test record.
• In the case where a student leaves the test administration in the middle of a session and is not able to make up that part of the test (see “Illness” on page 12), school officials must decide whether to mark the student as absent for that session.
a. If any circle denoting absent is darkened, the student will receive a final score of “999.”
b. If the circle denoting absent is not darkened, the student will receive a score based on the questions completed. Any missing responses will receive a condition code of “A,” indicating no response, and the response will receive a score of zero. The final raw score will be the sum of the number of multiple-choice questions answered correctly and of the scores assigned to constructed-response questions.
I'm not a teacher but it really seems that since there is a clause for grading should the student's refuse the test, a student should be able to refuse said examination.
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Posted 4/22/12 12:30 AM  |
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seasaw
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by luckyinlove
While I too think that a lot of the testing is pointless, to just think you can "opt out" of it is ridiculous. Some people have such a sense of entitlement, it is insane. It is also teaching your children to have no respect for teachers, administrators, and authorities altogether to challenge something mandatory in a school. A headache and knots in the back are really not a serious ailment. Give me a break. She sounds like one of those "my child can do no wrong" parents. Wow- to think you can sue because you don't want your child to take a test? And as far as him being in special education-- you want your special needs child in a least restrictive environment and to be treated as an equal, but then you act as though he is incapable of taking a test has to do a lot for his self-esteem. Way to go mom!
ETA-- Sorry for the rant -- i am a teacher and get a little crazy about stuff like this.
Is it really entitled to take a stand against something that you believe is wrong? I think that's setting a good example for your child. Different people react differently to stress and it's particularly insensitive to say that it's not a serious ailment. Whether or not it is serious doesn't matter so much as the fact that it was undue stress and obviously if this child's IEP discusses some sort of anxiety they probably have a condition of some sort that didn't need to be aggravated.
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| Posted 4/22/12 12:34 AM |
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bookworm
Two Little Rosebuds
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by mdn13
Posted by bookworm
If a parent has an issue with state tests, they should get involved and start a letter writing campaign to legislators rather than put the school in the middle of it. The school would love nothing better than to opt out of testing. It's a bear of a job to administer, score, etc. And they get hurt in their standings when students don't participate .
It KILLS me that schools and teachers are evaluated on an assessment that students and parents have no incentive to care about because it doesn't "count" for anything. Where's the motivation for kids to really do their best work as a reflection of all they've learned? You can bet your a$$ this parent wouldn't have opted out of the test if it was, say, they kid's final exam grade.
That said, she has a right to be pi$$ed that they didn't follow the IEP.
While I would normally agree with you that the parent should take it up with the state since they're the ones mandating this, in this case I disagree. I can only hope that many parents in one school (say the whole 4th grade) would take the smae stance and boycott the test. If they took this to Albany these 100 or so parents would be peanuts and not be heard. But with all these parents in one school it would force a district (whom like you said doesn't care for the tests anyway - but do nothing about it) to help contact the state about the situation. In this way it would be more likely to get attention and recieve national attention.
I also disagree that the parents should just sit back and accept these tests so as to appease the school district. While it stinks that the schools/teachers get hurt in the process, the bottom line is someone has to look out for the children and end this nonsense.
I can only hope that other parents will follow her lead in the future and something good comes of this. You gotta start somewhere!
By the way I am a teacher (on child care leave) and where I worked -NYC- they're not exactly against these tests.
Okay, but what you're talking about is an organized boycott of the test that's designed to send a clear message to the powers that be. I love that idea. That's not what this parent did. She got into a pi$$ing contest with school district about HER kid (screw the rest of 'em).
It just really irritates me in general in this country when people are apathetic about the things that happen in government and then they throw tantrums when the effects trickle down to their personal lives. But nobody wants to take on the big challenge. In this case, she stamps her feet and throws the school and the teacher under the bus rather than targeting the problem at its source.
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| Posted 4/22/12 7:32 AM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
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Jen
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by cncforever
Posted by Arieschick29
If the child was in school and in a testing grade, he would take the test. Period. NYSED determined that- not the school or district.
There is no opt out option and the school does not need to make other arrangements.
If the parents truly didnt want their kid to take it they shoudlve just kept him home without alerting the school to the reasons why.
Ypu are a teacher right? what is your stance on these tests, and how they may impact teachers?
I am a teacher- not in a testing grade now though I have been in the past. I think all the testing is ridiculous though I do believe we need to test beginning, middle and end of year to monitor growth and analyze needs.
I was simply trying to explain how it is- like a previous poster said, if parents are against the testing, they need to organize and start a campaign. I hope teachers unions start to do the same.
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| Posted 4/22/12 7:35 AM |
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Arieschick29
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Jen
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by mdn13
Posted by Arieschick29
If the child was in school and in a testing grade, he would take the test. Period. NYSED determined that- not the school or district.
There is no opt out option and the school does not need to make other arrangements.
If the parents truly didnt want their kid to take it they shoudlve just kept him home without alerting the school to the reasons why.
I think they probably told the school because as previous poster mentioned with the dates of both tests and all the make up dates they would be missing a lot of days. It seemed that she wanted to send her child and have them provide an alternate activity on those testing days so he wouldn't miss school.
I was just saying the school CAN't provide alternate activity during testing times. If he is not exempt for reasons the state deems acceptable, then he (or she) would have to take the test. I understand the parents perspective but I also know what the rules for schools/districts are as well. Their hands are tied!
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| Posted 4/22/12 7:37 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I feel like the parent should get over it.
When you send your child to public school, you're agreeing to play by the rules of the game. You're agreeing that your child will abide by the rules of the school, including taking standardized tests. The child's IEP does not exclude him from the test.
I don't work in a school, so I don't know the official rules for an IEP, but from everything I have heard (and even based on my job, where we give kids extended time tests all the time), it's really almost impossible to start a kid with extended time in a mainstream setting. if the test has sections, they will be off. if the child has any other accomodation, such as a reader, that will disrupt the other kids. likewise, the other kids leaving will disrupt him. Is following an IEP an exact requirement, or is it "to the extent that is reasonable"?
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| Posted 4/23/12 11:18 AM |
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JenniferEver
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by seasaw
Posted by luckyinlove
While I too think that a lot of the testing is pointless, to just think you can "opt out" of it is ridiculous. Some people have such a sense of entitlement, it is insane. It is also teaching your children to have no respect for teachers, administrators, and authorities altogether to challenge something mandatory in a school. A headache and knots in the back are really not a serious ailment. Give me a break. She sounds like one of those "my child can do no wrong" parents. Wow- to think you can sue because you don't want your child to take a test? And as far as him being in special education-- you want your special needs child in a least restrictive environment and to be treated as an equal, but then you act as though he is incapable of taking a test has to do a lot for his self-esteem. Way to go mom!
ETA-- Sorry for the rant -- i am a teacher and get a little crazy about stuff like this.
Is it really entitled to take a stand against something that you believe is wrong? I think that's setting a good example for your child. Different people react differently to stress and it's particularly insensitive to say that it's not a serious ailment. Whether or not it is serious doesn't matter so much as the fact that it was undue stress and obviously if this child's IEP discusses some sort of anxiety they probably have a condition of some sort that didn't need to be aggravated.
If his anxiety is so severe, then his IEP would make him eligible for an alternate assessment. it does not. I agree with PP who says this mom is just an entitled noisemaker.
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| Posted 4/23/12 11:23 AM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
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Keri
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by seasaw
Posted by luckyinlove
While I too think that a lot of the testing is pointless, to just think you can "opt out" of it is ridiculous. Some people have such a sense of entitlement, it is insane. It is also teaching your children to have no respect for teachers, administrators, and authorities altogether to challenge something mandatory in a school. A headache and knots in the back are really not a serious ailment. Give me a break. She sounds like one of those "my child can do no wrong" parents. Wow- to think you can sue because you don't want your child to take a test? And as far as him being in special education-- you want your special needs child in a least restrictive environment and to be treated as an equal, but then you act as though he is incapable of taking a test has to do a lot for his self-esteem. Way to go mom!
ETA-- Sorry for the rant -- i am a teacher and get a little crazy about stuff like this.
Is it really entitled to take a stand against something that you believe is wrong? I think that's setting a good example for your child. Different people react differently to stress and it's particularly insensitive to say that it's not a serious ailment. Whether or not it is serious doesn't matter so much as the fact that it was undue stress and obviously if this child's IEP discusses some sort of anxiety they probably have a condition of some sort that didn't need to be aggravated.
If his anxiety is so severe, then his IEP would make him eligible for an alternate assessment. it does not. I agree with PP who says this mom is just an entitled noisemaker.
I think I agree as well. The kid will face testing and stressful situations for the rest of his life. Unless he has a serious disability (which I don't think a headache and knots are), he may as well get used to it. I think the extent of the testing for such young children is horrible- but fighting with the school isn't the solution. Reassure your kid that he only needs to do his best and he wont be in trouble for doing poorly then take up the bigger issues with the state's education dept.
JMHO. Maybe I will feel differently when my girls are that age, but as of now these are my feelings
Message edited 4/23/2012 11:32:46 AM.
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| Posted 4/23/12 11:31 AM |
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mamabear
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I don't think anxiety over the test should be a sufficient basis for being excused from the test. We are all faced with anxiety-inducing situations at school, work and life. Part of growing up is learning to deal with that. If that is the sole reason, I think the parent should work on helping the child reduce anxiety, and "shielding" the child from the importance of the test. In other words, build the child's self esteem independently, let the child know a grade on a test is not a measure of the child's success.
That said, I think, from what I understand, and from what I hear from most teachers, these standardized tests have gotten out of hand. SO much of education throughout the year is focused on test performance, and funding and advancement is so intertwined with test scores. Education, especially at such a young age, is so much broader than that. I think there are basic skills in many subject areas that need to be learned at a young age, but also that children to learn to identify what they are especially good at, and what it is they really enjoy. If you come out of elementary school (or any school) with that knowledge, I think you will achieve far more than someone who simply knows how to ace a math test.
I think if the parent believes in what she is asserting, she should have taken this battle up much earlier in the year, and not as a reaction to a few days before the test. Hopefully she sticks it out now, because I would like to see parents more involved with guiding their own child's education.
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| Posted 4/23/12 12:12 PM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I'm not sure what I actually feel about this but I do know this was my 3rd graders first year taking them and he was def stressed about it and pretty much all his teacher has been teaching him is geared toward the tests. He came home on Friday with about 80 math questions to be done over the weekend and it did piss me off! That is out family time. He has sports and other stuff going on over the weekend. He ended up doing it at a family GTG yesterday 
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| Posted 4/23/12 12:35 PM |
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Bearcat
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JenniferEver
When you send your child to public school, you're agreeing to play by the rules of the game. You're agreeing that your child will abide by the rules of the school, including taking standardized tests. The child's IEP does not exclude him from the test.
This is how I feel. And I think the school responded in the way that they were required to, as part of the public education system. I'm sure their lawyers helped write the response.
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| Posted 4/23/12 12:37 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
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Jennifer
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
The mom is also trying to fight 2 different battles. 1) She's talking about her child's anxiety over the test itself (which should be taken up with his psychologist if she feels the accommodations on his IEP are insufficient)
2) She's questioning the value of the test and the whole system of teaching to the test, etc. In this case, not having him take the test doesn't solve anything or change his classroom environment year round.
I think she's picking the wrong battle at the wrong time and with the wrong people
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| Posted 4/23/12 12:42 PM |
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Xelindrya
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Love a mom with gusto. I think she tried to resolve it with the school directly. They got nasty. She got nastier with some neat Court precedence. It’s becoming a pissing contest. One I think she’ll win, but at what cost.
I agree with the others, its just a test. Life is full of struggle and things ‘unfair’ and annoying. I hated our standardized tests. One was every year and required to graduate and was just plain stupid. I got a medal for a perfect score in Reading/Writing. Then ironically those who failed could retake it up to 7times, so even THEY got the medal after awhile. Gimme a break! The other was every other year called National Test of Basic Skills. Big deal. You take the SAT/ACT and you go to college, end of story.
I don’t understand Regents Test in NY and the whole mess seemed odd. Yes, I moved out of NY and yes, education was a part of the reason.
The kid is the one who will suffer. People by now know who Joseph is. Kids talk. This has gone beyond the ‘not pretty’ stage.
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| Posted 4/23/12 1:17 PM |
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mdn13
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I'm glad to see that most people agree that these tests are ridiculous. I do see what many of you are saying about the school having to follow protocol and that is why they reacted the way they did.
i still believe that if she took this fight up with a higher authority she would have fallen on deaf ears. At least she is getting somewhere if only slowly.
Someones got to start somewhere with these fights. And although the school district doesnt have the power to change things, she is forcing their hand to contact the state for her. (louder voice)
Other parents in other states have taken similar action and made national headlines.
Maybe these parents will one day lead the way for a more oganized fight.
I don't think she was just trying to fight for her son. I really do think she was trying to make a point. It's not easy to get others to be as bold.
I think teachers need to stop saying "there's nothing the school can do" At least publicly you can say that in your school so you don't lose your job. But I'm surprised more of you aren't privately applauding this woman. If you aren't, you are truly just defending the nonsense of these tests.
It sounds like many have given up hope of change and just accept what garbage the state hands us. Sad.
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| Posted 4/23/12 1:49 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
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Jennifer
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I believe in standardized testing
For one, it's a way to evaluate all of the schools and students in a way that is unbiased and incorruptible in that you can't forge the numbers. They don't lie.
They provide a level playing field for comparing schools to one another. this becomes even more important as kids approach college because there is so much rampant grade inflation that its impossible to compare students
How else are we to know if schools are preparing kids to meet math and reading standards?
Tests are a fact of life. You want to get into a good HS? You have to take the SHSAT, SSAT, TACHs or HSPT. You want to get into college? SAT or ACT minimally, plus subject tests and maybe AP exams. Law school? LSAT. Grad school? GRE. B-school? GMAT. Med School? MCAT. Not to mention licensing exams.
Taking tests actually IS an important life skill and of itself because students will be faced with many of them in life as they proceed with their education. Even if you want to be a cop, firefighter, or bank teller, there's a standardized test you need to take.
I think the high stakes of these tests for the teachers and the school leads to some practices that put test scores above learning, and i don't think that's right, but I do believe that giving kids practice in taking tests will only help them in the future.
ETA: In the case of this student, just based on the info we have, mom is doing this kid NO favors trying to pull him from the test. If he wants to go to college, most stlll require SAT or ACT, and he'll be severely limited if he opts not to take one. Pulling him from tests now will only make the anxiety surrounding the tests that much greater when they finally count
Message edited 4/23/2012 2:02:13 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/12 2:00 PM |
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Cpt2007
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
This:
Posted by Bearcat
Posted by JenniferEver
When you send your child to public school, you're agreeing to play by the rules of the game. You're agreeing that your child will abide by the rules of the school, including taking standardized tests. The child's IEP does not exclude him from the test.
This is how I feel. And I think the school responded in the way that they were required to, as part of the public education system. I'm sure their lawyers helped write the response.
and this:
Posted by JenniferEver
The mom is also trying to fight 2 different battles. 1) She's talking about her child's anxiety over the test itself (which should be taken up with his psychologist if she feels the accommodations on his IEP are insufficient)
2) She's questioning the value of the test and the whole system of teaching to the test, etc. In this case, not having him take the test doesn't solve anything or change his classroom environment year round.
I think she's picking the wrong battle at the wrong time and with the wrong people
Exactly.
I'm not in NYS, nor do I have a school aged child yet, but I can get the gist of what is what by the other responses on this thread.
I also think that the strength of the school districts first response was probably based on the phone conversation they had with her where they felt they NEEDED to bring in the lawyers for clarification. It's very telling, and you don't bare your teeth unless you have to.
As you all know, one of the most powerful, if not THE most powerful, lobbying group in Albany is the Teachers' Union. There is ALWAYS a disconnect between policy makers who write the regulations and those who are forced to implement them (in this case the districts and teachers). With these assessments, the only way it will be fixed is if there is a joint effort between the unions and parents going directly to the Board of Regents and the State Leg.
I understand this mother's desire to protect her son, but I don't think she was doing him any favors by fighting back in this way.
JMHO.
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| Posted 4/23/12 2:11 PM |
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mamabear
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JenniferEver
I believe in standardized testing
I don't disagree with standardized testing, but I do disagree with certain aspects of the standardized tests, and the overwhelming emphasis that is placed on them, to the detriment of many students.
standardized testing should be ONE aspect of education. I'm not a teacher, but I have heard many teachers say that so much of the school year is now devoted to standarized testing and test-taking skills. That, I disagree with.
I also am not in tune with all the standardized tests they have now, but when I was in school, it was reading comprehension and math (in elementary school, at least. In high school, I took regents in a lot of subjects.) There should be reading and math tests, but I would say also include history, current events, writing (this may have been incorpoated by now), science, and in this day and age--technology or computer skills.
I always did really well on the reading and math tests in school. I was always in the top 1 %, and I didn't really stress about them. But, my science skills were pretty lacking. So was my knowledge of current events. I just think we need to encourage children to be more well-rounded, and not just good test takers. not saying being a good test taker isn't a valuable skill--it is. But it shouldn't be the main skill you learn during your elementary years.
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| Posted 4/23/12 2:44 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
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Jillian
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JenniferEver
I believe in standardized testing
For one, it's a way to evaluate all of the schools and students in a way that is unbiased and incorruptible in that you can't forge the numbers. They don't lie.
They provide a level playing field for comparing schools to one another. this becomes even more important as kids approach college because there is so much rampant grade inflation that its impossible to compare students
How else are we to know if schools are preparing kids to meet math and reading standards?
Tests are a fact of life. You want to get into a good HS? You have to take the SHSAT, SSAT, TACHs or HSPT. You want to get into college? SAT or ACT minimally, plus subject tests and maybe AP exams. Law school? LSAT. Grad school? GRE. B-school? GMAT. Med School? MCAT. Not to mention licensing exams.
Taking tests actually IS an important life skill and of itself because students will be faced with many of them in life as they proceed with their education. Even if you want to be a cop, firefighter, or bank teller, there's a standardized test you need to take.
I think the high stakes of these tests for the teachers and the school leads to some practices that put test scores above learning, and i don't think that's right, but I do believe that giving kids practice in taking tests will only help them in the future.
ETA: In the case of this student, just based on the info we have, mom is doing this kid NO favors trying to pull him from the test. If he wants to go to college, most stlll require SAT or ACT, and he'll be severely limited if he opts not to take one. Pulling him from tests now will only make the anxiety surrounding the tests that much greater when they finally count
ITA. Granted, I don't have children or know much about what the results of these tests are used for, but you put your child in public school, you are agreeing to go with what they say. I agree that this mother is putting her child at a disadvantage- not just by pulling him from the test but by making a spectacle of him. Other kids will take notice and might resent him for it.
Besides, taking tests is part of life. Anxiety over it? Sure, you might get anxious, but anxiety is also part of life. You deal with it and move on. It just seems like kids are getting wrapped up in these plastic bubbles where no one can tell them no or to take a test or let them feel anything other than pure joy. It's not healthy.
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| Posted 4/23/12 2:57 PM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
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Keri
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by mamabear
I don't think anxiety over the test should be a sufficient basis for being excused from the test. We are all faced with anxiety-inducing situations at school, work and life. Part of growing up is learning to deal with that. If that is the sole reason, I think the parent should work on helping the child reduce anxiety, and "shielding" the child from the importance of the test. In other words, build the child's self esteem independently, let the child know a grade on a test is not a measure of the child's success.
That said, I think, from what I understand, and from what I hear from most teachers, these standardized tests have gotten out of hand. SO much of education throughout the year is focused on test performance, and funding and advancement is so intertwined with test scores. Education, especially at such a young age, is so much broader than that. I think there are basic skills in many subject areas that need to be learned at a young age, but also that children to learn to identify what they are especially good at, and what it is they really enjoy. If you come out of elementary school (or any school) with that knowledge, I think you will achieve far more than someone who simply knows how to ace a math test.
I think if the parent believes in what she is asserting, she should have taken this battle up much earlier in the year, and not as a reaction to a few days before the test. Hopefully she sticks it out now, because I would like to see parents more involved with guiding their own child's education.
This is what I was trying to say above- but you said it much more eloquently  
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| Posted 4/23/12 3:01 PM |
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by Stacey1403
I'm not sure what I actually feel about this but I do know this was my 3rd graders first year taking them and he was def stressed about it and pretty much all his teacher has been teaching him is geared toward the tests. He came home on Friday with about 80 math questions to be done over the weekend and it did piss me off! That is out family time. He has sports and other stuff going on over the weekend. He ended up doing it at a family GTG yesterday
This is the wave of the future, unfortunately, and it's only going to grow. The scores the kids get on their tests will count towards the teacher's evaluation, and two years of no growth on tests will lead to a teacher's dismissal. So teachers are going to be doing a lot more of this, especially if they have concerns about their students' test scores.
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| Posted 4/23/12 7:23 PM |
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sfp0701
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Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by kahlua716
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by seasaw
Posted by luckyinlove
While I too think that a lot of the testing is pointless, to just think you can "opt out" of it is ridiculous. Some people have such a sense of entitlement, it is insane. It is also teaching your children to have no respect for teachers, administrators, and authorities altogether to challenge something mandatory in a school. A headache and knots in the back are really not a serious ailment. Give me a break. She sounds like one of those "my child can do no wrong" parents. Wow- to think you can sue because you don't want your child to take a test? And as far as him being in special education-- you want your special needs child in a least restrictive environment and to be treated as an equal, but then you act as though he is incapable of taking a test has to do a lot for his self-esteem. Way to go mom!
ETA-- Sorry for the rant -- i am a teacher and get a little crazy about stuff like this.
Is it really entitled to take a stand against something that you believe is wrong? I think that's setting a good example for your child. Different people react differently to stress and it's particularly insensitive to say that it's not a serious ailment. Whether or not it is serious doesn't matter so much as the fact that it was undue stress and obviously if this child's IEP discusses some sort of anxiety they probably have a condition of some sort that didn't need to be aggravated.
If his anxiety is so severe, then his IEP would make him eligible for an alternate assessment. it does not. I agree with PP who says this mom is just an entitled noisemaker.
I think I agree as well. The kid will face testing and stressful situations for the rest of his life. Unless he has a serious disability (which I don't think a headache and knots are), he may as well get used to it. I think the extent of the testing for such young children is horrible- but fighting with the school isn't the solution. Reassure your kid that he only needs to do his best and he wont be in trouble for doing poorly then take up the bigger issues with the state's education dept.
JMHO. Maybe I will feel differently when my girls are that age, but as of now these are my feelings
If the kid has an IEP then he has a disability. A serious one. There are 504's for kids with other, more mild disabilities. And in response to another poster, yes the IEP MUST be followed. No matter what. If a child has extended time, directions read and explained, questions read or a scribe (any one of these) he is usually placed in a separate location. Therefore, it wouldn't distract any other student.It doesn't sound like this student had these. However, If the student was showing signs of stress and the IEP stated that he had to have a proctor monitor him for signs of stress and the proctor didn't, then they violated the IEP. That's it. She has grounds for a lawsuit. The IEP is generated so that a proctor or teacher doesn't get to decide what they think is best for the kid. The child may not stand up for themselves. That is why they have the IEP. We MUST follow it. In fact, they have cracked down on it so much that in my special ed school we are being asked to remove as many test mods as we possibly can, and still have the child be successful, just so that we aren't forced to provide a mod that is not needed.
As far as the testing, It's tough. I work with ED students with LD. I see these kids flip desks, cry, and go nuts over the stress that these tests cause. It is VERY hard to get alternate assessment for a child. One requirement is IQ below 70. So, if you don't have that you technically are required to take these tests, even Regents, even if you are non-Regents program (i.e., a self contained life skills program) and have never been exposed to the Regents coursework. I am NOT kidding here. I have high school students that are required to sit for HOURS with a test that they get a 4 out a 100% on. No child left behind is the WORST legislation EVER!!! And to think that teachers will have thier jobs on the line for the fact that these special ed students getting an 8 is just awful.
ETA: It "appears" to me that this child might suffer from a very real anxiety disorder. If he is in a mainstreamed class and his test mods mention anxiety, I think it wouldn't be a far stretch to assume that he has some MAJOR issues. As far as a regular kid having anxiety I would agree that it is part of life. But, if i was a special ed mom and I knew my kid had these issues and had and IEP for them, I wouldn't want him to take a pointless test either!!
Message edited 4/23/2012 7:33:06 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/12 7:29 PM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name:
Tricia
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by seasaw
Posted by luckyinlove
While I too think that a lot of the testing is pointless, to just think you can "opt out" of it is ridiculous. Some people have such a sense of entitlement, it is insane. It is also teaching your children to have no respect for teachers, administrators, and authorities altogether to challenge something mandatory in a school. A headache and knots in the back are really not a serious ailment. Give me a break. She sounds like one of those "my child can do no wrong" parents. Wow- to think you can sue because you don't want your child to take a test? And as far as him being in special education-- you want your special needs child in a least restrictive environment and to be treated as an equal, but then you act as though he is incapable of taking a test has to do a lot for his self-esteem. Way to go mom!
ETA-- Sorry for the rant -- i am a teacher and get a little crazy about stuff like this.
Is it really entitled to take a stand against something that you believe is wrong? I think that's setting a good example for your child. Different people react differently to stress and it's particularly insensitive to say that it's not a serious ailment. Whether or not it is serious doesn't matter so much as the fact that it was undue stress and obviously if this child's IEP discusses some sort of anxiety they probably have a condition of some sort that didn't need to be aggravated.
If his anxiety is so severe, then his IEP would make him eligible for an alternate assessment. it does not. I agree with PP who says this mom is just an entitled noisemaker.
This isn't true. The guildlines for AA in NYS are IQ below 70 as well as others. I have students who are in life skills class with an IQ of 75 and major issues and they still take state tests.
Here are the criteria to be eligible for AA:
The CSE determines whether or not a student with a severe cognitive disability is eligible to take NYSAA based on the following criteria:(FYI: the students must have all 3 of these criteria)
the student has a severe cognitive disability and significant deficits in communication/language and significant deficits in adaptive behavior; and
the student requires a highly specialized educational program that facilitates the acquisition, application, and transfer of skills across natural environments (home, school, community, and/or workplace); and
the student requires educational support systems, such as assistive technology, personal care services, health/medical services, or behavioral intervention.
Severe cognitive deficit is generally interpreted by the CSE to be an IQ below 70 wich is the cutoff for MR and is a severe deficit.
Message edited 4/23/2012 7:40:28 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/12 7:34 PM |
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JEKS1219
LIF Infant
Member since 9/08 163 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I'm sorry, by putting my child in public school I do not give up my rights as my child's advocate or as a taxpayer. I don't agree with what the Oceanside mother did, especially given the fact that as a parent of a 3rd grader we knew about this test for well over a year. I also don't agree with increasing the time that an 8year old has to sit for a test to meet a political agenda. Testing, fine. Testing for more than one day? Fine. Choosing to put the test one day after an extended school break, and then the next week, test the children again for another three days is not fine. These child are learning experiencing anxiety for something that could have better thought out at a state level.
Will I throw a tantrum on the day of the test? No, but I will also not let the politicians determine my daughters learning environment.
For those of you that say that you resign to whatever it is because it's a public school, I would highly suggest sitting at a school board meting, or better yet follow the commissioner of educations twitter page. The only thing that sitting back and accepting what doesn't work gets you Is complacency.
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| Posted 4/24/12 7:53 AM |
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VanderZwang
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/11 740 total posts
Name:
Gail
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
Not a parent, nor have I read all the responses. (I have skimmed)
First, I understand the problems that teachers have to "teach" for the test and where all the problems come in with that.
Question:
1. Does the standardize test "count" against a students grade? Or is it just to see where the students are as far as the skills they are being taught?
2. If its not a REAL test, then why dont teachers start teaching it as an assesment? Yes, its timed. Yes the kids get the results, but its JUST to see where the kids are, right?
3. Isnt funing, etc from the state based on the results of these tests?
4. Even if it is, why are the kids pressured? Its still just an assesment right?
And the big question:
5. If this test is set up to make sure all 3rd graders know X material (ie: all 3rd graders all over the country are learning the same thing) why is it wrong to test to see if the teachers are teaching what the students need to learn?
I am truly just asking these questions and would like to know the thoughts from the parents and teachers.
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| Posted 4/24/12 10:21 AM |
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Grill
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 994 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: parent refusing to let child take state exams (Oceanside). What do you think?
I applaud the parent and think that a 9 year old's education should focus on creativity, out of the box thinking, play, socialization, challenges, responsibilities, freedoms, and a wide range of learning topics. I do not think that a 9 year old should be forced to sit in a seat year round and be drilled and brainwashed with rote, meaningless tasks only to be expected to regurgitate said drills in an effort to prove a school's worthiness for federal funding. This parent is at the forefront of the educational reform movement that hopefully spreads like hot icing on a sticky bun! Here's an informative video that I found while looking into alternative school options for my children.
Why Education Needs to Evolve
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| Posted 4/24/12 10:49 AM |
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