LETS MAKE THE STANDARDIZATION OF
OUR UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN
A RELIC OF THE PAST.
According to the Virginia Department of Education, "All students in tested grade levels and courses are expected to participate in Virginia's assessment program, unless specifically exempted by state or federal law or by Board of Education regulations."
The key to this quote is the word "expected". It is an expectation NOT a requirement that students take the Standards of Learning assessment. In fact, in Richmond, there are no specific detrimental effects or punishments for opting out of the test. Your child can still pass his or her grade level if he or she has met the normal requirements for doing so. Even some teachers are even under the impression that students must take the test! Misinformation about student requirements is pervasive.
RVA Opt Out hopes to serve as a source of information and a place to share our educational, testing and opting out experiences.
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
If the student is an elementary or middle school student, not taking a high school level course, it is fairly cut and dry. There are currently NO policies from either the Virginia Department of Education or Richmond City Public Schools stating that students who opt out of the SOLs will face detrimental effects from this process. However, to be fair, certain educational programs do mention looking at SOL scores in helping determine placements for individual students. Although, most of these programs will look at alternative ways to see and analyze student success and achievement for that particular program. Parents usually just need to write a letter explaining the lack of SOL scores to the program. Click HERE for an opt out letter that you can simply download and fill out with your child's name and date to submit to your local school!
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a few differing types of high school diplomas: a standard diploma, an advanced studies diploma, or a modified standard diploma. Each of these diplomas have varying courses and credits that a student must earn in order to receive said diploma. The explanations for this can be found on the Virginia Department of Education's site here: VDOE Graduation Requirements
Many times you will see the term "Verified Credit". Many students and parents are told that the only way to receive a verified credit is by taking and passing the corresponding SOL for that class. Very few folks know that there are alternatives! From the VDOE site itself, here is a list of these alternative ways of receiving those very important graduation requirements; the verified credit. VDOE Substitute Tests for SOLs
As you may imagine, navigating high school and verified credits tends to be more difficult. It is very important that you take time reviewing your child's credits to ensure that they are eligible for graduation. Working with the guidance department at your child's school will be a necessary step for opting out of SOLs and replacing them with alternative verified credits.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BUT PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING, RIGHT?
VERIFICATION:
In a letter dated April 23, 2013, the principal of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts stated, "While there are no negative consequences for students who do not participate, the school is accountable for ensuring that all students are tested during the testing window. All Virginia schools are required to test those eligible for participation."
*******************************************
This was then confirmed by another high-level administrator who through a phone calls verified this assertion by a parent who then successfully opted out her child from testing.
So, please feel confident! IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE! Parents are taking steps forward to end the standardization of our unique children!
*******************************************
According to this website, parents can opt their children out of Virginia's Standards of learning exams without having to provide any justification: http://pwceducationreform.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/opting-out-of-state-tests/
"Students in public schools in Virginia are required to take the state mandated Standards of Learning exams. These tests begin in 3rd grade and extend through graduation. School districts are not allowed to withdraw students from mandated testing and are “scored” on their percentage of students taking the exams. Inclusion in some middle and high school programs may hinge on SOL test scores and students must pass a certain number of SOL exams in certain subjects to graduate.
However, parents can voluntarily withdraw their children from the Virginia SOL exams without justification. If their child hasn’t passed the necessary exams to graduate, he / she may not graduate and their participation in some programs might be jeopardized, but no justification is necessary for a parent to voluntarily withdraw their child from state mandated testing.
Parents choosing to withdraw their children from state mandated testing should expect to be challenged to reconsider their decision by school administrators. This is partly because there is no mechanism for reporting “opt-out” on the SOL exams and the student’s score on that exam will be zero.
There is no established procedure for “opting” your child out of state mandated exams. We suggest that you notify your child’s school of your decision in writing at least one month before the exams are scheduled and be prepared to have your decision challenged by school administrators."
[Source: Parents and Kids Against Standardized Testing - Discussion for Virginia]
******************************************
If you would like to share your own experience, questions, fears and hopes in our venture of taking back education, please click here to be a participant in our Your Voice blog.
The key to this quote is the word "expected". It is an expectation NOT a requirement that students take the Standards of Learning assessment. In fact, in Richmond, there are no specific detrimental effects or punishments for opting out of the test. Your child can still pass his or her grade level if he or she has met the normal requirements for doing so. Even some teachers are even under the impression that students must take the test! Misinformation about student requirements is pervasive.
RVA Opt Out hopes to serve as a source of information and a place to share our educational, testing and opting out experiences.
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
If the student is an elementary or middle school student, not taking a high school level course, it is fairly cut and dry. There are currently NO policies from either the Virginia Department of Education or Richmond City Public Schools stating that students who opt out of the SOLs will face detrimental effects from this process. However, to be fair, certain educational programs do mention looking at SOL scores in helping determine placements for individual students. Although, most of these programs will look at alternative ways to see and analyze student success and achievement for that particular program. Parents usually just need to write a letter explaining the lack of SOL scores to the program. Click HERE for an opt out letter that you can simply download and fill out with your child's name and date to submit to your local school!
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a few differing types of high school diplomas: a standard diploma, an advanced studies diploma, or a modified standard diploma. Each of these diplomas have varying courses and credits that a student must earn in order to receive said diploma. The explanations for this can be found on the Virginia Department of Education's site here: VDOE Graduation Requirements
Many times you will see the term "Verified Credit". Many students and parents are told that the only way to receive a verified credit is by taking and passing the corresponding SOL for that class. Very few folks know that there are alternatives! From the VDOE site itself, here is a list of these alternative ways of receiving those very important graduation requirements; the verified credit. VDOE Substitute Tests for SOLs
As you may imagine, navigating high school and verified credits tends to be more difficult. It is very important that you take time reviewing your child's credits to ensure that they are eligible for graduation. Working with the guidance department at your child's school will be a necessary step for opting out of SOLs and replacing them with alternative verified credits.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BUT PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING, RIGHT?
VERIFICATION:
In a letter dated April 23, 2013, the principal of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts stated, "While there are no negative consequences for students who do not participate, the school is accountable for ensuring that all students are tested during the testing window. All Virginia schools are required to test those eligible for participation."
*******************************************
This was then confirmed by another high-level administrator who through a phone calls verified this assertion by a parent who then successfully opted out her child from testing.
So, please feel confident! IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE! Parents are taking steps forward to end the standardization of our unique children!
*******************************************
According to this website, parents can opt their children out of Virginia's Standards of learning exams without having to provide any justification: http://pwceducationreform.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/opting-out-of-state-tests/
"Students in public schools in Virginia are required to take the state mandated Standards of Learning exams. These tests begin in 3rd grade and extend through graduation. School districts are not allowed to withdraw students from mandated testing and are “scored” on their percentage of students taking the exams. Inclusion in some middle and high school programs may hinge on SOL test scores and students must pass a certain number of SOL exams in certain subjects to graduate.
However, parents can voluntarily withdraw their children from the Virginia SOL exams without justification. If their child hasn’t passed the necessary exams to graduate, he / she may not graduate and their participation in some programs might be jeopardized, but no justification is necessary for a parent to voluntarily withdraw their child from state mandated testing.
Parents choosing to withdraw their children from state mandated testing should expect to be challenged to reconsider their decision by school administrators. This is partly because there is no mechanism for reporting “opt-out” on the SOL exams and the student’s score on that exam will be zero.
There is no established procedure for “opting” your child out of state mandated exams. We suggest that you notify your child’s school of your decision in writing at least one month before the exams are scheduled and be prepared to have your decision challenged by school administrators."
[Source: Parents and Kids Against Standardized Testing - Discussion for Virginia]
******************************************
If you would like to share your own experience, questions, fears and hopes in our venture of taking back education, please click here to be a participant in our Your Voice blog.
