A message came to parents from the Ossining PTA with an adamant message about more field testing for elementary grade students to come in June: "We don't agree."
Here's the letter:
Dear Fellow Parents,
After nearly two weeks of testing in April, we have learned that students in Grades 3, 5 and 8 are scheduled for yet more standardized tests. These ones are “Field Tests” to be administered as follows:These tests will take a single 40 minute class period.
- Grade 3 Writing: Thursday, June 6, 2013
- Grade 5 Reading: Tuesday, June 4, 2013
- Grade 8 Writing: Monday, June 3, 2013
Just so you’re aware, “Field Tests” are used to try out questions for future exams. Student, parents and teachers do not receive the results from these tests, nor do they go on a child's record. The field tests are done by and for Pearson, the private company who develops tests for New York State, to determine the validity of their test questions. They do not benefit our students, teachers or school – they disrupt the school day and take more time away from learning.
We hope you will join us in making a strong statement, along with other schools across the State, by saying that we don’t agree with the field test policy or the continued growth in the number and duration of tests in general. We’d like as many students as possible in the tested grade to refuse to take the field test. Last year, there were a number of schools where so many students refused to participate ahead of time that the field tests were not administered.
Please see attached sample “opt out” letter to be personalized and given to the respective principal to opt your child or children out of the upcoming field tests.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. For general information about refusing the Field Test, visit Change the Stakes. Please forward to other concerned parents.
Sincerely,
Caroline Curvan, Co-President and Beth Sniffen, Co-President, Ossining PTA Council, OssiningPTAs@gmail.com
Click to download the following files:
» FieldTestingOptOutLetter2013
Will you be sending this opt out letter? What have been your child's experiences with field testing? Share here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
