http://www.buffalonews.com/city-regi...ricts-20140403
The so-called ‘civil disobedience’ movement brought on by a small group of anti common core parents blossomed into something larger; something that has potential adverse impacts for their children, the parents and children who chose to have their children take the state tests, and the taxpayers.
Despite the fact that the great majority of school districts made it clear that the state tests would not affect final grade point average, the opt out movement grew as other students approached their parents and expressed that if other students didn’t have to take the test, why should they.
Some parents are opting-in their children back into taking the tests when learning of the importance of the tests and how tests help the district provide individualized instruction to students, how federal and state aid could be impacted in the future for districts whose participation falls below the 95 percent benchmark set by New York State, and how school district and teacher’s evaluations could be impacted.
The 4,000 number quoted in the Buffalo News report provides no reference to the total number of students in Western New York and therefore significance. More important is that some school districts are in jeopardy of failing the 95% participation rate in just the way they are configured. Lancaster has several school buildings – 4 elementary with K-3 grades, William Street School 4-6 grades, Middle School with 7 & 8 grades, and the High School. If just one class in the K-3 group does not have a 95% participation rate, that class and the district itself gets put on the ‘needs improvement list’ for this year. There is the distinct likelihood that the great majority of Western New York School Districts will find their names on the list this year as well. It is my understanding that it takes two consecutive years of being on the list before a district is officially tagged as “needing improvement’.
Lancaster parents who choose not to opt their children out of the testing, families that have no children attending school, and retirees and others on fixed or low income budgets are likely to look on this chaotic mess and ask why they should vote for a budget with any kind of tax rate increase – and especially where state aid is far less than were it was five years ago. They have good reason for considering such action, but that would not be fair to the great majority of parents and students who deserve the opportunity to succeed. If the budget is turned down, the public can expect the demise of ninth period, staffing cuts, cuts to other programs.
If Lancaster were to exceed the 5% rate of opt-out students, and were the budget and teacher evaluations to be affected, school districts should be held harmless. Those parents opting their children out of the tests, a few disgruntled teachers, and the teacher unions are at fault.
The school districts went out of their way this year to assure parents and children that there would be no consequence to their final grade point if students took the test. No consequence, no show. There should be consequences to civil disobedience regarding taking a mandated state test. The parents of opting-out children termed the ‘sit and stare’ policy punitive. Nonsense. Punitive action would be if next year the state and school districts mandated that state tests results would count in final grade point average. Let’s see how many would opt-out then.
Is it just one class in the school or the whole grade in that school. Example- is it just one class of the 3rd graders under the 95% participation rate in a certain school or all 3rd grade classes in that school are under the 95% participation rate for the penalty?Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
If just one class in the K-3 group does not have a 95% participation rate, that class and the district itself gets put on the ‘needs improvement list’ for this year.
Georgia L Schlager
There certainly should be consequences, especially, if funding is reduced due to low participation. Those students who opted out should not be permitted to attend any of our Lancaster schools. As, we taxpayers would have to make up the loss due to their civil disobedience. Their parents need to find a school for their children where the grass is greener.Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
There should be consequences to civil disobedience regarding taking a mandated state test. The parents of opting-out children termed the ‘sit and stare’ policy punitive. Nonsense. Punitive action would be if next year the state and school districts mandated that state tests results would count in final grade point average. Let’s see how many would opt-out then.
Georgia L Schlager
The civil disobedience lesson is an excellent illustration of democratic principles. More power to the kids who refuse.The so-called ‘civil disobedience’ movement brought on by a small group of anti common core parents blossomed into something larger; something that has potential adverse impacts for their children, the parents and children who chose to have their children take the state tests, and the taxpayers.
Then why use the results in evaluating teachers? There are much better systems to evaluate teachers, incidentally, of which teachers never shirked their responsibility.Despite the fact that the great majority of school districts made it clear that the state tests would not affect final grade point average, the opt out movement grew as other students approached their parents and expressed that if other students didn’t have to take the test, why should they.
Absolutely untrue re:funding.Some parents are opting-in their children back into taking the tests when learning of the importance of the tests and how tests help the district provide individualized instruction to students, how federal and state aid could be impacted in the future for districts whose participation falls below the 95 percent benchmark set by New York State, and how school district and teacher’s evaluations could be impacted.
State has indicated that no schools will be named as priority schools or schools needing improvement for at least three years. Weren't you clucking that the CCLS was what the schools needed, "reform"?The 4,000 number quoted in the Buffalo News report provides no reference to the total number of students in Western New York and therefore significance. More important is that some school districts are in jeopardy of failing the 95% participation rate in just the way they are configured. Lancaster has several school buildings – 4 elementary with K-3 grades, William Street School 4-6 grades, Middle School with 7 & 8 grades, and the High School. If just one class in the K-3 group does not have a 95% participation rate, that class and the district itself gets put on the ‘needs improvement list’ for this year. There is the distinct likelihood that the great majority of Western New York School Districts will find their names on the list this year as well. It is my understanding that it takes two consecutive years of being on the list before a district is officially tagged as “needing improvement’.
Great, let's push charters and vouchers in Lancaster. Those lazy union teachers...and since the schools were so bad and education NEEDED this CCLS reform, what good would a crappy ninth period do anyhow? Your arguments contradict one another.Lancaster parents who choose not to opt their children out of the testing, families that have no children attending school, and retirees and others on fixed or low income budgets are likely to look on this chaotic mess and ask why they should vote for a budget with any kind of tax rate increase – and especially where state aid is far less than were it was five years ago. They have good reason for considering such action, but that would not be fair to the great majority of parents and students who deserve the opportunity to succeed. If the budget is turned down, the public can expect the demise of ninth period, staffing cuts, cuts to other programs.
Exactly, let's shut the whole thing down and privatize Lancaster's system. Be a pioneer or leader even!If Lancaster were to exceed the 5% rate of opt-out students, and were the budget and teacher evaluations to be affected, school districts should be held harmless. Those parents opting their children out of the tests, a few disgruntled teachers, and the teacher unions are at fault.
It's not mandated, hence the ability to "refuse". Maybe you should challenge the state's 95% participation rate as being problematic. I think the tests should be counted if they are going to be used for evaluative purposes. Then when half the kids fail 3rd grade (that's what Lancaster's proficiency was 40% to 50% I believe) including test takers, maybe something interesting will happen.The school districts went out of their way this year to assure parents and children that there would be no consequence to their final grade point if students took the test. No consequence, no show. There should be consequences to civil disobedience regarding taking a mandated state test. The parents of opting-out children termed the ‘sit and stare’ policy punitive. Nonsense. Punitive action would be if next year the state and school districts mandated that state tests results would count in final grade point average. Let’s see how many would opt-out then.
I love it, people might finally be taking an interest in their children's education again instead of simply handing it over to the schools...Democracy in action, how can you be upset?!
Incidentally, the tests don't inform instruction and they don't improve instruction. Good teachers were already individualizing instruction and challenging their students to think.
when you teach to the test, your not educating students.
as far as the state is concerned? I vote, no more state aid. let the school districts stand upon their tax base. if it means increasing taxes tenfold, so be it. only then, will real change come about.
because when you have a 100 million dollar school budget, and have a 50 million dollar tax base, and must now double the school taxes? bet your ass people will pay attention.
maybe instead of cutting those things that hit the most people, but cost the least, cuts will be made where it matters, and thats at the top. go back to the one principle schools... fire 1/2 the administrators, 3/4 of the secretaries, and who look at that, we just saved the district $20,000,000 and would you look at that, they still have 9th period. wow! its amazing!
Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.
"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938
One class, gorja.f you have 20 students in a third grade class and 2 parents opt their children out, that's 10% and the district as well as that paricular class goes on the 'needs improvement' list.Originally Posted by gorja
Hey Genoobie, spew your venom in the City. Lancaster is doing just fine, doesn't need to privatize its educational system, doesn't have those lazy teachers you refer to, and the district is putting out a good product - despite the efforts of the anti common core group who admit to civil disobedience themselves but you look at them being pursuant of Democracy.
Teacher valuations will suffer because of kids opting out, but hey, some of them deserve it for supporting and encouraging the opt-out policy
As for your constant advocating for Charter Schools, didn’t two charter schools close in the city because of poor performance? Are you a charter school teacher?
Lancaster's modules are not set up to teach only to the tests, by no meansFMD;1341243]when you teach to the test, your not educating students.
You are clueless as to what goes into a school district budgetas far as the state is concerned? I vote, no more state aid. let the school districts stand upon their tax base. if it means increasing taxes tenfold, so be it. only then, will real change come about.
Misinformed and clueless again. And considering only a handful of residents attend budget work sessions, the great majority of the residents are equally clueless.because when you have a 100 million dollar school budget, and have a 50 million dollar tax base, and must now double the school taxes? bet your ass people will pay attention.
Have you any idea how many people are employed in the school district in total and what small fraction of the budget is taken up by administration? Stating that $20 million in savings could come from cutting 1/2 the administrators and 3/4 of the secretaries could only come from someone that has no idea what's in a budget or what is required to run Lancaster in such fashion that it is ranked the most cost-effective district in Western New York and has one of the highest student-to-administrator ratios.maybe instead of cutting those things that hit the most people, but cost the least, cuts will be made where it matters, and thats at the top. go back to the one principle schools... fire 1/2 the administrators, 3/4 of the secretaries, and who look at that, we just saved the district $20,000,000 and would you look at that, they still have 9th period. wow! its amazing
you call me clueless.. have YOU even looked at the common core materials?
I have, its a joke
Willful ignorance is the downfall of every major empire in history.
"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." - Mao, 1938
It's confusing. On the NYS report card site, the Accountability reports show the participation rate for the school and the different accountability groups but nothing regarding individual classes.
Georgia L Schlager
Now, schools get the ability to average results together so they can still meet "AYP". I hope the wheels fall off this bus.
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