Seattle’s Policy on Opting Out: Not So Subtle Coercion

From a reader in Seattle:

 

 

Here’s what they’re saying in Seattle.

 

 

________ I have read and understand that:

 

 This refusal will be filed with the student’s permanent record.

 

 Students who do not participate will receive a “zero” score on the assessment and no score report for teachers or families to view.

 

 A zero will negatively impact the school’s overall results in assessments such as Smarter Balanced.

 

 Teachers will not receive results that could otherwise be used as a tool to measure the student’s academic growth in the core academic areas of reading, writing, math, and/or science.

 

 Families will not receive results that will enable them to chart the student’s growth over time.

 

 High school juniors without Smarter Balanced assessment results will not be eligible for the remedial testing waiver offered by state colleges.

 

 Students who do not participate will receive supervision but not instruction during assessment time.

 

 Students who do not receive a score for the high school state assessment in required subjects, or an approved alternative, will not be able to obtain a high school diploma.

 

We’re not taking the test. I’m phasing out of teaching now — I started in Title I schools, and am ending with charters, both physical and virtual — so I’ve reasonably little fear of reprisals against my teaching license. And keep in mind, my son attends a high-performing school (over 90% proficient), with only 5% or so FRPL. Save Seattle Schools (http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/), an excellent local blog, has offered response to each of these mendacious threats, and I believe them.

 

This enforced compliance is unconscionable for all parties involved.