Principals,
As you know, the introduction of new standards and assessments has resulted in more parents inquiring about the right to opt their child out of state testing. Below please find the district’s opt-out protocol. Please note that state statute explicitly states “participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools” and therefore the information should be shared verbally with parents and not sent in a mass letter. District employees should not promote opting-out of testing. It is also important to emphasize that test results also influence school performance, community perception, and teacher and principal evaluations.
For paper-based tests, the child may be kept out of school throughout the duration of the testing window. If the child is present any day of the testing window, then they will be brought to a testing room to sit for the exam. If the child does attend school during the testing window and it is their parent’s preference that they not participate in the exam, then the student will begin the test by listening to the directions, breaking the seal on the test booklets, and may choose not to answer any questions. The student will be required to sit quietly with their test materials until time is called and their test will be scored.
As you know, the introduction of new standards and assessments has resulted in more parents inquiring about the right to opt their child out of state testing. Below please find the district’s opt-out protocol. Please note that state statute explicitly states “participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools” and therefore the information should be shared verbally with parents and not sent in a mass letter. District employees should not promote opting-out of testing. It is also important to emphasize that test results also influence school performance, community perception, and teacher and principal evaluations.
For paper-based tests, the child may be kept out of school throughout the duration of the testing window. If the child is present any day of the testing window, then they will be brought to a testing room to sit for the exam. If the child does attend school during the testing window and it is their parent’s preference that they not participate in the exam, then the student will begin the test by listening to the directions, breaking the seal on the test booklets, and may choose not to answer any questions. The student will be required to sit quietly with their test materials until time is called and their test will be scored.
For computer-based tests , the child may be kept out of school throughout the duration of the testing window. If the child is present any day of the testing window, they will be brought to a testing room to sit for the exam. If the child does attend school during the testing window and it is their parent’s preference that they not participate in the exam, then the student will sign in to the computer and the testing website, follow the directions provided to arrive at Question # 1, then click “end test now” and remain on the review screen until time is called and their test will be scored.
If you have additional questions, please contact Mr. Tom Scott, Director of Testing at scottt3@duvalschools.org.
NV
More on this later.
Can teachers opt out of test administration? I'll sit with little Johnny and draw pictures =O
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see a superintendent acknowledge the Opt Out protocol.
ReplyDeleteMy son refused 9th grade FCAT. He was told he'd be put in remedial reading the following year. I told him that was an empty threat. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later, he received his recommended courses for 10th grade....Honors English and Math, probably based on the fact that he scored a 4 in 7th and 8th grade reading and a 5 on the Alg. EOC.
ReplyDelete