Comments on: Why My Son will Opt Out of PARCC

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 02:48:35 +0000

i agree with dumbing Down our children . PARCC is building schools on the other side of the world with our money. They are training these children to speak English and no common core. I think they want to conquer America and our children will not be intelligent enough to handle it. They will crash all electronics and the children will not know how to solve a problem manually. They also will have all data to know who are the intelligent ones.

By: micala

micala — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 19:18:55 +0000

Follow the money. It has never been about education. The company that stands to profit most from Common Core and PARCC is Pearson. Who resigned from the board of Pearson recently to pursue presidential ambition? Jeb Bush. Who has been behind the political drive for Common Core? Jeb Bush.

I recently retired from secondary education in spite of a love for students and two master’s degrees. Teaching is not what it once was. I could no longer tolerate the testing, evaluation process and emphasis on numbers, not students. Education is now becoming codified to facilitate data analysis and the onus is on the backs of teachers.

By: Merle

Merle — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 07:34:03 +0000

Hi, Dr. Kirylo, WOW! Let me say that I cannot agree with you more. I have felt like I was the only one thinking this way. As you know, I went in to the teaching profession for the children and it is not about the children at all. It’s about politics, numbers, adults justifying their jobs, higher ups having all the newest and best stuff while at the schools students either have old equipment or none. I don’t get it. It’s not about teaching kids and sharing with them the joy of learning because you are too busy teaching to a test, especially in those school districts that are not in the most popular cities in Louisiana. I can go on and on, but you have said it all. I agree with you 100%. Now if we can just get rid of teacher evaluations that are so subjective based on whether your lesson has rigor or not, and the progression of your students when they come to you three grade levels below where they are supposed to be, we might get back to “Old School” teaching. It worked for me and lots of other people. I don’t get high stakes testing at all. Why are we putting so much stress on the children we all say we love. Stress and depression is not concern or love. As far as I can see, our children are not receiving the full learning experience because we are having to focus on test questions and standards that will be covered on the test. This whole thing sounds like “The Dumming Down” of America. There are so many teachers saying that this is pulling our students down instead of up.

By: James D. Kirylo

James D. Kirylo — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:29:55 +0000

I am sorry to hear your story, Lindsey. But, sadly, I am not surprised. You are absolutely correct, many good teachers are leaving. I am glad your health is in a much better state.

By: Lindsey B.

Lindsey B. — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 21:02:46 +0000

I made the conscious, but rather difficult, decision to step out of the classroom and fin a new career last year. I am a highly qualified teacher with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and I loved teaching. I saw myself grow over the 11 years I taught only to find myself with health issues and frustration due to the politics involved with my former career. Common Core, standardized testing, and the push of Academic Coaches/Mentors stole my career, my livelihood, from me. I do not regret a day I spent in the classroom, but I do miss the young lives I changed, the education I delivered, and the influence I had. However, My health is in a much better state. Good teachers are leaving this profession because of all of the politics involved.

By: Vivian

Vivian — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:03:56 +0000

Jessica,
I have read a copy of your letter, and I think you hit the nail on the head!!! I commend you for your courage to speak out. It was very well written and very thorough. I hope STPSB will consider your request. We all need to stand up for our children. Their future depends on it!

By: Vivian

Vivian — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:58:50 +0000

Carol, I understand exactly how you feel! I’m also a 3rd grade teacher, and it sickens me to see what’s happening to our education system. We are not teaching these children life skills, we are teaching a test…one stupid, inappropriate test! I hate it! I am overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned-out. Teaching isn’t fun anymore. There’s no room for enrichment and creativity! The kids are no longer asked to use their imagination. My students hate writing because it’s not fun, it’s evidence-based! After 25 years of teaching and inspiring children, I’m ready to retire. I don’t think I can continue to watch what “These people” are doing to our children! They are ruining their future!

By: michelle lorson

michelle lorson — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:35:28 +0000

How do you believe we ended up in a world of accountability? Someone said educators werent doing are jobs……so here we are……so kids opt out and teachers and principals end up losing their jobs……

By: Bob Richardson

Bob Richardson — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:00:12 +0000

Ironic that the highly educated and respected people that are advocating “Common Core” did not have it when they were in school. Bet they are still doing math the “old fashioned way.”

By: James Kirylo

James Kirylo — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:13:07 +0000

Please see post from Dr. Ira Shor from City University of New York, titled “Opt-Out: The Real Parent Revolution.”
http://dianeravitch.net/2014/07/22/ira-shor-why-you-should-opt-out-your-children-from-state-testing/