This
is great news!
Randi Weingarten, president of the
American Federation of Teachers, tweeted and wrote on her Facebook page that
she supports parents who opt out of the PARCC tests. She had previously spoken
out of behalf of opting out when participating in a parent-teacher rally at
Fort Drum, New York.
Now she says that if she were a parent of children
in the public schools of New York, she would opt out too.
Opting out is not about helping the
teachers’ union or opposing accountability. It is a message to governors and
legislators, to Congress and the Obama administration that testing is out of
control.
Testing is not teaching. Since the passage of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) in 2001-02,
billions of dollars have been spent on test prep and testing.
They are used solely to rank and rate students,
teachers, principals, and schools. Furthermore, they are designed to fail the
majority of students because of the absurd “cut scores” (passing mark) pegged
to NAEP’s proficient level. We are the most over tested nation in the world.
Enough!
Any politician who advocates for the
tests should do one simple thing: Take the eighth grade math test and publish
your score.
Thank you, Randi, for personally
endorsing opt out! Encourage your members across the nation to join those who
are defending their students and their profession. It is hard to stand up alone;
in unity there is strength.
She wrote on her Facebook page:
I have been in NY alot fighting shoulder to shoulder with
educators and parents against Cuomo’s wrongheaded actions. I was asked the
question abt opt out today and this is what I tweeted out.
We believe parents have right to opt-out & tchrs shld be able
to advise parents how. We’ve said it repeatedly, are fighting for it in ESEA.
@lacetothetop et al have asked what I’d do if I had kids in
NYPS—based on what I’ve seen, if I had kids, I’d opt them out of the PEARSON
(PAARC) tests this yr
It’s crazy what’s happening in NY, w/ Cuomo leading the misuse of
testing. We understand why @NYSUT and parents are calling for an opt-out