Parents who opt their children out of the Standards of Learning tests are NOT trying to hurt schools or teachers.
In fact, we are trying to help our schools escape from the terrible web that has been created by these standardized tests. Teachers feel a terrible burden to have students pass these particular assessments and often resort to methodologies that don't take the whole student in mind. Teachers are often unable to differentiate to students who come with a variety of learning styles and a vast array of differences. Everyone feels stripped of their humanity. Students are being forced to take test after test after test in preparation for the end of the year test. Teachers are forced to make choices to not teach information that engages students in order to teach to the test. There are books, guides, pacing charts and an unending force of pressure to do well on the SOLs. This is because the state looks at these scores to determine whether or not the school will be accredited.
The Virginia PTA is putting forth a resolution that would protect teachers and schools while allowing parents to have the right to opt out their children. Please review it here: VA PTA Resolution
See the Virginia Department of Education's own explanation here: Accountability and Virginia Public Schools
The latest iteration of the VDOE Superintendent's note about Opt Out Policy is here.
RVA Opt Out also wants to encourage parents to voice their opinions that schools should not be judged poorly based on students who opt out of the tests. We want to protect our schools while maintaining the right to make choices for our kids.
Please take a moment to sign and send this letter to the Dr. Steven R. Staples, State Superintendent of Instruction at the VDOE to ask them to provide an "Opt Out" recording category on the tests so that schools are NOT harmed, parents have a choice and the state and track our progress!
[email protected]
Or mail the letter to:
Virginia Department of Education
PO Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218
Feel free to also call the following Virginia Department of Education staff members! Or link directly to the site here!
In fact, we are trying to help our schools escape from the terrible web that has been created by these standardized tests. Teachers feel a terrible burden to have students pass these particular assessments and often resort to methodologies that don't take the whole student in mind. Teachers are often unable to differentiate to students who come with a variety of learning styles and a vast array of differences. Everyone feels stripped of their humanity. Students are being forced to take test after test after test in preparation for the end of the year test. Teachers are forced to make choices to not teach information that engages students in order to teach to the test. There are books, guides, pacing charts and an unending force of pressure to do well on the SOLs. This is because the state looks at these scores to determine whether or not the school will be accredited.
The Virginia PTA is putting forth a resolution that would protect teachers and schools while allowing parents to have the right to opt out their children. Please review it here: VA PTA Resolution
See the Virginia Department of Education's own explanation here: Accountability and Virginia Public Schools
The latest iteration of the VDOE Superintendent's note about Opt Out Policy is here.
RVA Opt Out also wants to encourage parents to voice their opinions that schools should not be judged poorly based on students who opt out of the tests. We want to protect our schools while maintaining the right to make choices for our kids.
Please take a moment to sign and send this letter to the Dr. Steven R. Staples, State Superintendent of Instruction at the VDOE to ask them to provide an "Opt Out" recording category on the tests so that schools are NOT harmed, parents have a choice and the state and track our progress!
[email protected]
Or mail the letter to:
Virginia Department of Education
PO Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218
Feel free to also call the following Virginia Department of Education staff members! Or link directly to the site here!
