NY Parents--Standardized Test question

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My question is, the standardized tests that they make the kids take in fourth grade (and eighth, too, I think)--are the kids required by law to take them? Can you opt out? What are the ramifications if you do? It seems like all of fourth grade is focused on these stupid tests and they really don't benefit the student so much as the school district. Has anyone tried opting out? What happened? I'm really not the "radical protest" type, but I'm considering having my daughter not take the tests. Thanks for your input!

 

[Nancy]

I don't think you can opt out...they stressed over and over to the parents to make sure the kids were getting rest and not missing school during the tests. In 8th grade the district used the tests as their final exam grades (the tests were in May)...so they didn't have any finals in whatever they had standardised testing in. 4th grade spent alot of time going over previous yrs tests. They put so much pressure on the kids to do good on them...I don;t think so much time should be spent "prepping" the 4th graders.

 

[caitycaity]

iirc, when i was a student in nys public schools, the standardized tests were used to "track" the children. so depending on how the student did on the test, that would determine what level they would be placed in for the different subject areas. even if your could opt out of it, i don't think it would be a good idea.

 

[grinningghost]

The 4th & 8th grade math and English tests are probably mandatory. These are the ones that they get so hyped up over. These are the tests that determine whether the kids are on track to graduate high school. With all the extreme requirements these days, they figure they better start in 4th grade, or the kids might get lost and not be able to graduate.

I really hated when DD had to take these particular tests, because there wasn't much the parents could do to help, yet the schools stressed how important they were.

They also use the results of these tests to "grade" the schools on their achievement. In other words, kids do good, school looks good. Kids do bad, school looks bad.

 

[jennyanydots]

my girls are in 9th and 7th grades.


at freshman orientation I learned that NY is doing away with the local diploma, everyone must now take a Regents diploma. that means they must take Regents exams in high school in order to graduate.

the 8th grade NYS exams were used, in part, to place students in high school classes. students who didn't do well on the 8th grade ELA were assigned an English lab period to supplement their English class. students who didn't do well on the 8th grade social studies exam were assigned to a classroom with a second teacher.

I know 4th grade is a bit stressful. I don't know if you can legally opt out, but I don't see why you would want to, given that the 4th grade tests are excelent prep for the 8th grade tests and the Regents exams down the road.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My ds teacher just told me he did very well on the nys 8th grade math test, but for hs he is transferring to a new private school and their math program is much more accelerated than where he came from, so I already talked to the guidance counselor, he is giving up on of his electives and going into the math lab. I dont know about the younger grades. I know my ds said the tests were o.k. but they already go to a school that has a very academic program so it didnt bother them too much, like just another test to them.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to look into the legal issues--I was really hoping that someone would know definitively if they were required.

My issue with the testing is more an overall issue with our school--DD is already in the gifted program, but I suspect they are deliberately holding her back so that she can boost their scores. The principal has said several things that make me believe this. I don't like to see my kid treated that way, but I'd like to get their attention. They'll acknowledge that she's bored, but God forbid that they challenge her. It's just really stupid. The principal even told me the kids would be better off in a more challenging private school (but, of course, he wouldn't be shelling out the $12k per child per year, so, easy for him to say!) Like I said, I'm not one to make a fuss, but I'm beginning to think that I must, for the sake of my children, and this seemed to be a way to get the school's attention by potentially affecting their outcome (yes, she's really good enough that she will do that!).

As I type this, it sounds kind of petty. But this kid has been begging for harder stuff since K, and gets really dumb excuses form the school as to why she can't have harder work (like, for example, she reads 4+ grades above her grade--but is stuck in the highest level reading group, which is still 3 years behind her ability. They refuse to do more. Her brother is 7 and even worse--reading at a high school level!). But the school's attitude seems to be that, since they're not failing, they must be okay. But they're not--they're dying inside, and the school doesn't care.

P.S. Don't even suggest I transfer them--the pricey private school is a long drive each way, I would have to drive them, and we'd have to kiss our other activities goodbye. Sorry for the long post!

 

[Nancy]

Unfortunately the public schools are at the mercy of the state with what they can do for a child. I know the schools here wouldn't know how to deal with that in the lower grades either other then letting them skip grades. they really aren't equipped to deal with the one or two who could use the advanced classes.

With the 8th grade ELA's my DD was a wreck before them...if they didn't score well on them they were going to recommend summer school and remediation for them their first yr. of high school....all thanks to NY's standards to pass Regent's tests. luckily my DD really didn't need to worry..she has had a 100 average all through middle school.

I am very happy that our high school offers honors classes and in their Junior yr they can start taking AP classes towards college credits. We have to pay for them to take the exams, but it will be well worth it. her goal is a full scholarship to yale...she wants to be a lawyer.

 

[jennyanydots]

current educational thinking on gifted students is NOT to push them to the next grade level, but to offer enrichment. so it's very unlikely they're "holding her back" to "boost their scores." the students are graded on a rubric -- a scale of 1 to 4. a 4 is a 4 is a 4 when it comes to the NYS report card -- how many students are chieving at or above grade level.

my 7th grader didn't feel challenged at school until she hit middle school. our district offers honros and advanced classes in middle school and high school. but in elementary school I had to enroll her in a saturday morning enrichment program at a local college to keep her from being bored to tears.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
my girls are in 9th and 7th grades.


at freshman orientation I learned that NY is doing away with the local diploma, everyone must now take a Regents diploma. that means they must take Regents exams in high school in order to graduate.

the 8th grade NYS exams were used, in part, to place students in high school classes. students who didn't do well on the 8th grade ELA were assigned an English lab period to supplement their English class. students who didn't do well on the 8th grade social studies exam were assigned to a classroom with a second teacher.

My son is going into the 8th grade. He attends a public school that's 6-12 grades.

This year he'll take the 8th ELA exam, 8th math exam, science, and social studies exams. Since the regents exams will have a huge impact on graduation, his principal has decided that 8th graders will also take the Math A regents, and earth science regents this year.

Her plan is to have all of the regents taken care of by the end of the 10 grade so that they can spend the last 2 years focusing on AP classes.

I think I worry about the test more than my son does. He just goes with flow. Thankfully he does well, but I still stress about it.

 

[ripleysmom]

The tests are required if your child is in a public school. The only way that you child can be exempted from taking them is if she were profoundly disabled intellectually or if she were in a private school.

 

[ripleysmom]

"Since the regents exams will have a huge impact on graduation, his principal has decided that 8th graders will also take the Math A regents, and earth science regents this year."

I don't think that the kids can take the Math A regents in the 8th grade. In order to do that they would need to complete 3 semesters of Math A curriculum. Unless she started giving these kids Math A curriculum in the 7th grade, I don't think that she can cram it in like that. I could be wrong but think that is how it has to go.

Also I think that it would violate how they get high school credit for that exam.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
"Since the regents exams will have a huge impact on graduation, his principal has decided that 8th graders will also take the Math A regents, and earth science regents this year."

I don't think that the kids can take the Math A regents in the 8th grade. In order to do that they would need to complete 3 semesters of Math A curriculum. Unless she started giving these kids Math A curriculum in the 7th grade, I don't think that she can cram it in like that. I could be wrong but think that is how it has to go.

Also I think that it would violate how they get high school credit for that exam.

My understanding is that the students will get credit for taking the exam, but the classes will not count toward the credits needed to graduate.

Several middle schools here give the regents to 8th graders.
My son's school is a replication of a school in Harlem that has been doing this for years.

Some of the schools start the classes second semester of the 7th grade. Some do it all in 8th grade.