The debate surrounding standardized testing has simmered down since the heated discussions in April. In our community, nearly 15 percent of parents opted out, sparking a range of opinions about the tests’ effectiveness and how to approach them. Ultimately, we decided our son would not participate.
The conversation continues, and I notice some people, like Claire Thompson, a well-meaning sixth-grade teacher in Connecticut, still don’t grasp why so many families made this decision. With 18 years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in education, Claire’s perspective is rooted in knowledge, which makes her misunderstanding of the “opt-out movement” all the more surprising.
Claire seems to think that the reason for opting out is simply that kids find the tests stressful or undesirable. However, that’s not the case. I didn’t request an exemption for my son because he was anxious about the tests, nor is it because he dislikes them. He also isn’t fond of homework or chores, but those are non-negotiable.
“Unfortunately, there is a troubling trend in education that suggests students can choose what they wish to engage in,” Claire asserts. “We risk teaching children that they can avoid challenges simply because they don’t enjoy them.”
She’s missing the essence of the issue.
Many of us believe standardized testing fails to accurately assess a student’s abilities or a teacher’s effectiveness. In New York, 557 principals expressed concerns over the vague nature of the test questions, noting that even teachers struggle to agree on the answers.
Personally, I’m not a supporter of these tests, despite having always excelled at them. When I moved to the U.S. for college, I encountered the SATs—an entirely new experience for me as a Canadian. With no prior preparation, I bought a test prep book, practiced, and learned to navigate the tricky questions. In the end, I performed well and secured my spot at the college of my choice.
The tests my sixth-grader was slated to take wouldn’t aid his college admissions process or benefit him in any meaningful way. By opting out, I aimed to convey a message to the Department of Education. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone in this decision, as many parents at our school joined in. If it had been just my son opting out, I might have reconsidered, as it would have isolated him without making a broader statement.
While other students took the tests, my son and the other opt-outs were sent to the cafeteria for quiet reading. They had no homework assigned during testing weeks, so he ended up bored. When he asked to go to the diner with his friends instead, we said no. Our goal was to instill a lesson—not to teach him to shy away from challenges, as Claire suggests, but to stand firm in his beliefs, even when it’s uncomfortable.
He has numerous opportunities to learn about perseverance and hard work outside of standardized testing. Before the tests and certainly after, life will present plenty of challenges.
When our son approached us regarding the tests, he articulated the same concerns we had already considered. We felt a sense of pride that he understood the situation so well, and we supported him—not all the way to the diner, but certainly to the cafeteria, braving the uncomfortable benches together.
And that’s why we opted out. We wanted to teach him to confront challenges head-on, not to retreat from them. I hope this lesson resonates with him for years to come.
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Summary:
In the ongoing debate about standardized testing, many parents, including myself, have opted out for reasons beyond mere stress or dislike. We believe that these tests do not effectively evaluate students or teachers. Our decision was about standing firm in our beliefs and teaching our son to do the same, even in the face of discomfort.
Keyphrase: Opting Out of Standardized Testing
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