Once again the DOE has tried to intimidate teachers by threatening them with discipline if they convince parents to "opt out"their children from the Common Core based State tests starting tomorrow that will last for 6 days. Three days this week for English and three days next week for Math. According to The New York Post , who supports the Common Core high-stakes tests, a DOE official said the following:
"Teachers may be subject to discipline: if they cross the line in prodding parents to opt out".
The DOE was responding to two schools where teachers wrote an email and a letter to their parents about the right to "opt out". They are PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights and the Earth School. The email from PS 8 can be found in the New York Post article while the Earth School letter can be found on Ednotes online.
As far as I'm concerned, the Common Core based high-stakes state tests are too long (6 hours over three days for each test) and are not age appropriate where only 1 out of 3 are deemed proficient. Until New York State eliminates or drastically shortens the test to 1 to 2 hours for the tests, I believe "opting out"is an appropriate response for parents concerned about these tests..