Opt-Out Parent in NJ: . . . the "nice" strategy got me nowhere

Posted at Opt Out of the State Test:

Jean Schutt McTavishWe are in week 2 of the opt out for my 4th grader in NJ. We met with the Superintendent and the Board of Education last night. The Superintendent seemed embarrassed that he had threatened me with a report of truancy to the child welfare agency in NJ. He avoided me like the plague. My sister tag teamed with me, so she talked to him for a good hour. Everyone seemed to agree with our position. They were just afraid of the strategy and the effect it could have on our town's accountability status. 97% of the kids in our town graduate from HS on time. They really have nothing to worry about. One Board member said that my strategy of opting out might be too harsh and scare off like minded parents. I told the Board member that I have tried being nice about this for almost 10 years and that the "nice" strategy got me no where. I told her that it is time for some strong bold moves. The one thing that I have learned in the past 3 1/2 weeks of opting out is that when you stand up and say NO, people listen...