"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Refuse All the Tests 2014-15


. . . .I am keeping it very simple for the 2014-2015 school year. I have seen the chaos.  I have been knocked down many times. And as a result,  I have been given the opportunity to see what works and what doesn't work.  I get that we all have a role to play, so I am not knocking anyone who chooses a different route. But I'll just say this, refuse the mandates that have been imposed on our children in the form of opt out and watch those legislators wake up. Refuse all the tests - not just one - all of them. Watch the politicians listen with intent this time - watch them ask questions to find out how they might meet YOUR needs.  Refuse the mandates that those union leaders agreed to as they took corporate money - and watch them sway where the power lies - and the power lies with the masses when they opt out of these tests. The power lies in the new leadership we will bring to the forefront as we expose those who negotiate with children's lives. The power lies in our own ability to recognize what is just and good and as we refuse the pitfalls that come with ego driven - power hungry - profit mongering individuals who think of themselves first and children last - if  at all.  Work towards opt out through your union, your parent group, your neighborhood - however you can get there, educate and encourage folks to take action. 

Be aware that withdrawing from common core and/or common core tests does not mean that your state is withdrawing from lockstep standards and/or high stakes testing.  Common core and high stakes testing can take many new names, shapes and forms. Be ready to refuse the clones that arrive.

We don't have a lot of time. We have limited time - but the window is ours right now.  They need the data NOW to get the profit ball rolling at a steady pace. They will do anything necessary to save the common core in order to get the data which will create the profit and allow more data to be crunched, in order to further manage and control children, teachers, and ultimately an entire nation (I won't go into their global goals but believe me - their plan is all encompassing).They've got a taste of what could be theirs - and they are hungry - and they'll pretend to care by agreeing to all sorts of strategies to appease us - as long as the end goal remains the same for them. 

My focus this coming school year - with any individuals I work with - will be clearly geared towards the opt out home run. But, when we win this victory, make no mistake - and I mean this clearly directed to those who troll my site - we know exactly where we are headed and you will not stand in our way.  Opt out is just the beginning - so get ready, sit in the stands and watch - because in this game, you are a spectator - and you are in the nosebleed section. 

Power to all of you who will do what is just, right and kind for children in 2014-2015. 

Opt out and deny them their money, their power. 

Run fast to protect the children who are suffering  - and be ready to advocate for what they deserve when the power structure comes toppling down. 


This is about the children. Those of us who do not need power or ego have truth and heart on our side. And we are fierce in our strategy and our ability to protect children. . . .

4 comments:

  1. I think opting my children out of all standardized tests was the best thing I did for them last year. Their teachers and I know how they are doing. I value authentic, direct, whole child assessments of my children, which is why I choose to opt them out. No national assessments, no state assessments, no national assessments. The only testing I allow now relates directly to their focused studies and developed by their own teachers. By the way, my children have not been restricted from taking honors/gifted/advanced placement classes because of choosing to opt out. Your teachers and principals may not tell you directly, but they do not want your children to be needlessly tested on concepts that are not significant to their true learning and development and that consume a disproportionate share of the time available for a true education. Our children only have so long to create, develop and learn. Let's return the opportunity to create and explore to our children's education. After all, it is our creative and thoughtful work and innovation that has always set our great country apart from others. Opt them out - you will not regret it!

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  2. Anonymous1:47 AM

    How do you opt them out?

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    1. Follow the links above to United Opt Out. Then find the link to your state, and you will find instructions on how to proceed. If not, let me know and I will get you help: ontogenyx@gmail.com

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