privacy
noun pri·va·cy \ˈprī-və-sē, especially British ˈpri-
1 a : the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion
b : freedom from unauthorized intrusion <one's right to privacy>
2 archaic : a place of seclusion
3 a : secrecy
b : a private matter : secret
Would you give your child a medication that the doctor offered if you knew it had some major side effects? The same pill the doctor admittedly would not give his own child? The doctor explains that the pill was created by a pharmacy for profits only, and has never been tested on anything…ever. Would you give your child that pill?
PARCC and CMAS state mandated tests are no different. By allowing your child to participate in these high stakes state mandated testing, you are subjecting your child’s privacy to the unknown. Read more…
Parents are saying they don’t want to hurt or punish their schools. Teachers are saying they will lose their jobs and the doors of the schools will be closed down. Some school admins are shaking their ugly sticks of truancy, and taking away middle school athletics participation to “punish” their students for being opted out of state testing. There are schools shaking their fingers, reminding parents that “you signed a contract” while others are telling parents they are supposed to be a “beacon of light” and “bridging the gap” to the school community, reflecting that supposed glorified image of their school. What about our kids? Who is supporting them? Aren’t we as parents responsible for determining what is in the best interest for our children’s education? Do we base our parenting decisions regarding diapers, bottle feeding or organic food consumption on what others are saying? Why do we allow it for testing?
We drill into our children’s heads to never talk to strangers. Parents steer away from personalizing their children’s outer clothing and avoiding the pretty embroidery on their accessories to protect them and their identity. Why in the world would it be okay to subject our children to this same potentially dangerous intrusion to their privacy and safety?
Parents, school board members and Colorado legislators are asking these testing companies what happens to the student data being collected. Where does it go? Who has access to the data? Instead of answers, we hear crickets chirping. They don’t know!! Or they do, and they are just not telling.
Following a recent “Testing Madness” informational meeting hosted by Parent University of Douglas County School District, one parent posted this on a local SPEAK (Supportive Parents Educators and Kids) forum:
Refuse The Test (Parent): "Debora Scheffel from the 6th congressional district was at Parent University at MRMS to present information about standardized testing. She talked about the state BOE's decision to hold parents, teachers, schools and districts harmless if parents decided to opt their kids out of standardized testing. This means that schools should not bully parents, nor should principals have to worry if they fall below the 95% participation rate. Basically, parents can review the details and make the decision that feels right for them, and not have to feel badly about adversely affecting their child, the teacher or the school. For me this was the biggest piece of information though: No one who is in charge of parcc can seem to answer any questions with any clarity about anything that has to do with STUDENT DATA. What are they collecting, where does it go, how is it encrypted or protected, will it be SOLD to anyone, how long will it be stored and then what happens to it? THEY CAN'T ANSWER ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS. NOT ONE. Ms. Scheffel made a point to say these things to us more than once. Anyone left on the fence can feel good about their decision to opt out - refuse the test and tell a friend!"
Students ages 10 and 11 years old participated in a “Crossing the Line” activity hosted by the school’s counselor where students were instructed to answer personal and private questions by stepping to the other side of the line in a classroom full of their peers at a local charter school. Read more…
Teachers are handing out invasive and personal surveys to their students in order to get to know them better. Read more…
Parents across the state are concerned as to where all of this information is going, and where will it follow their children in the future. Read more…
On Wednesday, February 18, 2015, the Colorado State Board of Education voted 4-2 to not punish school districts if parents refuse to allow their children to take assessments. Read more…
Who will stand up for your children? Who will be the brave parent to opt their child out of these high stakes and unproven tests? Is your school’s reputation worth more to you than the safety of your own child? Will you accept the insulting bully tactics from your principals and school board members to influence your decisions regarding the best interest of your child? We teach our children how to manage bullies on the playground, are parents practicing what they preach when they succumb to the school leaders who are bullying your decision for the best interest of your child? Are you up for the challenge? If you are, know that you are not alone and there are other parents, just like you who have done this, and are here to support you.
***Read the latest on the “No Penalty” for test refusals here!***
noun pri·va·cy \ˈprī-və-sē, especially British ˈpri-
1 a : the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion
b : freedom from unauthorized intrusion <one's right to privacy>
2 archaic : a place of seclusion
3 a : secrecy
b : a private matter : secret
Would you give your child a medication that the doctor offered if you knew it had some major side effects? The same pill the doctor admittedly would not give his own child? The doctor explains that the pill was created by a pharmacy for profits only, and has never been tested on anything…ever. Would you give your child that pill?
PARCC and CMAS state mandated tests are no different. By allowing your child to participate in these high stakes state mandated testing, you are subjecting your child’s privacy to the unknown. Read more…
Parents are saying they don’t want to hurt or punish their schools. Teachers are saying they will lose their jobs and the doors of the schools will be closed down. Some school admins are shaking their ugly sticks of truancy, and taking away middle school athletics participation to “punish” their students for being opted out of state testing. There are schools shaking their fingers, reminding parents that “you signed a contract” while others are telling parents they are supposed to be a “beacon of light” and “bridging the gap” to the school community, reflecting that supposed glorified image of their school. What about our kids? Who is supporting them? Aren’t we as parents responsible for determining what is in the best interest for our children’s education? Do we base our parenting decisions regarding diapers, bottle feeding or organic food consumption on what others are saying? Why do we allow it for testing?
We drill into our children’s heads to never talk to strangers. Parents steer away from personalizing their children’s outer clothing and avoiding the pretty embroidery on their accessories to protect them and their identity. Why in the world would it be okay to subject our children to this same potentially dangerous intrusion to their privacy and safety?
Parents, school board members and Colorado legislators are asking these testing companies what happens to the student data being collected. Where does it go? Who has access to the data? Instead of answers, we hear crickets chirping. They don’t know!! Or they do, and they are just not telling.
Following a recent “Testing Madness” informational meeting hosted by Parent University of Douglas County School District, one parent posted this on a local SPEAK (Supportive Parents Educators and Kids) forum:
Refuse The Test (Parent): "Debora Scheffel from the 6th congressional district was at Parent University at MRMS to present information about standardized testing. She talked about the state BOE's decision to hold parents, teachers, schools and districts harmless if parents decided to opt their kids out of standardized testing. This means that schools should not bully parents, nor should principals have to worry if they fall below the 95% participation rate. Basically, parents can review the details and make the decision that feels right for them, and not have to feel badly about adversely affecting their child, the teacher or the school. For me this was the biggest piece of information though: No one who is in charge of parcc can seem to answer any questions with any clarity about anything that has to do with STUDENT DATA. What are they collecting, where does it go, how is it encrypted or protected, will it be SOLD to anyone, how long will it be stored and then what happens to it? THEY CAN'T ANSWER ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS. NOT ONE. Ms. Scheffel made a point to say these things to us more than once. Anyone left on the fence can feel good about their decision to opt out - refuse the test and tell a friend!"
Students ages 10 and 11 years old participated in a “Crossing the Line” activity hosted by the school’s counselor where students were instructed to answer personal and private questions by stepping to the other side of the line in a classroom full of their peers at a local charter school. Read more…
Teachers are handing out invasive and personal surveys to their students in order to get to know them better. Read more…
Parents across the state are concerned as to where all of this information is going, and where will it follow their children in the future. Read more…
On Wednesday, February 18, 2015, the Colorado State Board of Education voted 4-2 to not punish school districts if parents refuse to allow their children to take assessments. Read more…
Who will stand up for your children? Who will be the brave parent to opt their child out of these high stakes and unproven tests? Is your school’s reputation worth more to you than the safety of your own child? Will you accept the insulting bully tactics from your principals and school board members to influence your decisions regarding the best interest of your child? We teach our children how to manage bullies on the playground, are parents practicing what they preach when they succumb to the school leaders who are bullying your decision for the best interest of your child? Are you up for the challenge? If you are, know that you are not alone and there are other parents, just like you who have done this, and are here to support you.
***Read the latest on the “No Penalty” for test refusals here!***
For more information about Opting Out/Refusing the Test for your child:
Parenting Over Policy Refuse/Opt Out of PARCC Information
United Opt Out Colorado 2015 Meeting schedule
Resources for Challenging High Stake Testing
Stop Common Core Colorado – Colorado Testing and Opting Out
Core Concerns – TCAP, CMAS, CO ACT, PARCC – What Does It All Mean?
Need help?? Email us or Message us on Facebook.
Parenting Over Policy Refuse/Opt Out of PARCC Information
United Opt Out Colorado 2015 Meeting schedule
Resources for Challenging High Stake Testing
Stop Common Core Colorado – Colorado Testing and Opting Out
Core Concerns – TCAP, CMAS, CO ACT, PARCC – What Does It All Mean?
Need help?? Email us or Message us on Facebook.