"I have many concerns about the origin, funding, and lack of
transparency that has accompanied the Common Core Standards, but will focus my
comments to you today about my concerns with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. I chose to not have my children take the SBAC
test this past spring. I started seeing
and hearing rumors and decided to do my own research and try to find the
truth.
Before opting my
children out, I asked if I could sit with them and look over the tests as they
took them. This was refused. I was told sample tests were available, but I
wanted to see the actual exam my students were taking since so many rumors had
been circulating about questions irrelevant to a student’s knowledge or those
of a data-seeking nature being asked.
And I don’t think those particular questions would appear on a sample
test.
I have read the talking points and sample letter you
encourage administrators to send to noncomplying parents who have concerns with
the SBAC. I understand that the state
does not have an opt-out policy for testing.
And I understand federal and state guidelines require 95% of students to
be tested to receive funding and prevent lowering of a school’s star
rating. But my tax dollars help to
provide that funding and my parental authority trumps all of that. I am not alone in my concerns in our state
and other states throughout the nation.
A national movement has started to boycott high-stakes testing next
year, whether the state has a policy in place or not.
Because there have been so many concerns voiced by parents
and teachers, I have been told that a group of Idaho educators and parents is
being organized to review questions on the SBAC. I feel this is another attempt to placate
those who are questioning the test. Is
Idaho going to be given a separate test from the rest of the consortium? Who
ultimately determines what questions will be on the test, even after receiving
input from parents and teachers? If we
are going to insist on using high-stakes testing to measure our students’
success, and our teachers’ and schools’ performances, then I want Idaho’s educators, Idaho’s
parents, and Idaho’s leaders to develop, write, and approve the standards and
tests. Being in a consortium with other
states prevents us from having the flexibility to adjust and adapt the testing
for the needs of Idaho’s students.
Renaming the SBAC the
ISAT-2.0 is really quite deceptive; it gives the impression that we have left
the consortium and Idaho is once again in control of its testing, which is not
the case.
I don’t want a “re-name”.
I want a repeal. Please do the
right thing and choose to withdraw from the Smarter Balanced Assessment
Consortium as a first step to repealing Common Core in Idaho."