Testing refusal rates in your district

[pryncess527]

Can't find any rates, but I get the sense it is not common. My state has no opt-out procedure. Students can refuse to take the test, but then they just get graded on an answer sheet that is blank, so earn a 0 (or whatever the lowest score is).

 

[pryncess527]

I think if they were only able to organize a handful of teachers for a strike then yes, they would be fired. A strike could only work if every NYS teacher agreed to it. They could never fill all those vacancies if they fired everyone.

Many states have laws that prevent public employees like teachers from striking (including NYS), and have courts that are empowered to enforce the prohibition on striking. I don't know what that would look like, in practice, but for those in states where they are not permitted to collective bargain, unionize, or strike, the options may not be as easy as we'd like.

 

[erin1715]

Many states have laws that prevent public employees like teachers from striking (including NYS), and have courts that are empowered to enforce the prohibition on striking. I don't know what that would look like, in practice, but for those in states where they are not permitted to collective bargain, unionize, or strike, the options may not be as easy as we'd like.

Ah, well there you have it. I didn't realize that about NYS. So maybe teachers are fighting the only way they can right now.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I teach in Illinois and it is a no-opt-out state. This simply means that if a kid doesn't come to school on the test day, they will be given it on their return. In order to truly "opt" out they have to accept the test booklet and then refuse to mark any answers (in front of all of their friends who are taking the test). While we did have some kids do this, our numbers were not huge. There were many who did not work especially hard on the questions, though!

 

[mom2rtk]

Ah, well there you have it. I didn't realize that about NYS. So maybe teachers are fighting the only way they can right now.

So it's OK to use kids as pawns under the circumstances then?

It's either right or it's wrong.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

NYS - 13 percent opted out. I live in the same district I attended as a child. I am on the side that the teachers are using the parents/students to their benefit. Not so much in our district though and the numbers show it.

 

[erin1715]

So it's OK to use kids as pawns under the circumstances then?

It's either right or it's wrong.

I didn't say it was right. I just don't know what people want from the teachers?? If they can't strike, then should they just lay down and do nothing? Not all teachers are pressuring the kids to do well on the tests.

 

[msjprincess]

Our district had large number of students opt the last couple of years. Which was before Cuomo announced anything about the test and teacher evaluations. Most of the people that I know choosing to opt out are not doing it because of teachers.

 

[erin1715]

NYS - 13 percent opted out. I live in the same district I attended as a child. I am on the side that the teachers are using the parents/students to their benefit. Not so much in our district though and the numbers show it.

Just curious, where did you find the numbers? I can't find them online.

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't say it was right. I just don't know what people want from the teachers?? If they can't strike, then should they just lay down and do nothing? Not all teachers are pressuring the kids to do well on the tests.

Do whatever you like. Have a sick out. Lobby your legislators. Call the media.

Just keep it out of the classroom.

 

[erin1715]

Our district had large number of students opt the last couple of years. Which was before Cuomo announced anything about the test and teacher evaluations. Most of the people that I know choosing to opt out are not doing it because of teachers.

Thats a good point. In our low income district, the parents don't even care about their own kids let alone the teachers!

 

[erin1715]

Do whatever you like. Have a sick out. Lobby your legislators. Call the media.

Just leave the kids out of it.

Aside from the sick out, all those other things are being done.

 

[undertheradar]

I would wonder why a teacher would continue working if one is so opposed to CC?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Nobody opts out here. Not since they made the testing scores 20% of the grade.

 

[pryncess527]

I would wonder why a teacher would continue working if one is so opposed to CC?

Because they need a job, and spent years of their life in school training for this profession? A profession that is a passion for many who do it?

or perhaps because many who have been in education a long time have seen new trends come and go, so they just think "this too shall pass" and bide their time?

 

[mom2rtk]

Aside from the sick out, all those other things are being done.

And?

Is your point that it should stay out of the classroom unless the other things don't work?

 

[undertheradar]

Because they need a job, and spent years of their life in school training for this profession? A profession that is a passion for many who do it?

Not getting the passion if they hate what they are being required to teach.

 

[erin1715]

And?

Is your point that it should stay out of the classroom unless the other things don't work?

I was simply replying with information. But thanks for putting words in my mouth.

 

[nugov2]

Many states have laws that prevent public employees like teachers from striking (including NYS), and have courts that are empowered to enforce the prohibition on striking. I don't know what that would look like, in practice, but for those in states where they are not permitted to collective bargain, unionize, or strike, the options may not be as easy as we'd like.

They are in violation of their teacher contract if they are having you refuse services. That is against the law. You can strike then in that district all across the boad. It isn't going to be hard to find violations in every district based on all of the horror stories of what teachers are being forced to do....unless they are exaggerating the situation.

I teach in Illinois and it is a no-opt-out state. This simply means that if a kid doesn't come to school on the test day, they will be given it on their return. In order to truly "opt" out they have to accept the test booklet and then refuse to mark any answers (in front of all of their friends who are taking the test). While we did have some kids do this, our numbers were not huge. There were many who did not work especially hard on the questions, though!

In Illinois you can send a written letter opting your child out. They do not have to sit in front of the class and refuse themselves. That is false.

 

[pryncess527]

Not getting the passion if they hate what they are being required to teach.

A person can have a passion for teaching while still hating the circumstances they currently find themselves in. Those are not mutually exclusive concepts. As I said, teaching trends come and go. My mom saw quite a few in her long career. Some she liked, some she hated. Nothing could kill her passion for educating young people.

Although I'll also add, IME, the hatred for common core has more to do with the way it is being implemented, lack of training, and high stakes testing -- and less to do with the actual content.