Let’s start with the obvious –
The people who created this awful mess aren’t going to just throw up their hands and let us win. There is an obscene amount of money behind these “reforms,” and our education leaders are expected to perform well in order to get the investors the returns they expect. No, not smart and happy kids; by investment, we mean privatized public schools, increased sales of testing and intervention products, and technology sales and maintenance. This has nothing to do with how well-adjusted your children are. It has only to do with how well-trained your kids are to do the work that these investors expect of them.
Also, the tests you are refusing (see below) are those that are evaluating your child’s teachers and schools—not your child. These tests are invalid, wasteful, and steal valuable instruction time.
So, expect scare tactics. Expect threats. Expect PED, some superintendents, and even some principals and teachers to throw every lie, fib, and nightmare scenario at you. And be ready to let them bounce off. If you hear one that is particularly worrisome, please check with the Facebook group (NM Refuse the Test) or send an email through the website. We will investigate all claims there, and there will be plenty of support on Facebook.
Understand that the high school SBAs and EoCs are required for a normal diploma. We are fighting this policy, and you should too. Demand that your district allow students to receive a diploma based on alternative performance assessments.
This is for our kids. This is for the future of their education and the future of our state and country.
Getting Started
The first and most important step is to let your school know of your intent to refuse the state test(s). I strongly advise this, since blindsiding them with a surprise refusal may create defensiveness and a less cooperative environment. Speak to your child’s teacher(s) about your decision. You may be surprised to know that many of them support your decision wholly.
Check the NM Refuse the Test Facebook page or website to find sample letters to use when advising your school and district of your decision. If you are more comfortable writing your own refusal letter, that’s probably even better. Putting a personal touch on it makes it stronger. Give a copy to the school principal, each teacher, and the district superintendent (and the press, if you’re so inclined). The school will most likely give you the Parent Refusal Form to fill out and return. Return that as quickly as possible.
According to the assessment program manual, districts are expected to meet with refusing parents to attempt to change their minds. Handle this as you are comfortable. If you hear any of the aforementioned lies, threats, or cons, this will be the place. Take good notes. Record the conversation if it is permissible. We are here to help.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember, this is your child you are standing up for. You are never “requesting” a refusal; you are “informing” those concerned of your decision—the decision you’ve already made. Do not “request.” A request is always denied.
During the Testing Days
If anything is going to get messed up, it’s on testing day. School staff are on a tight schedule and are expected to make everything run as smoothly as possible. They risk sanctions from the state for simply miscounting something.
To make things go more smoothly for them, remind them a week in advance of your decision and confirm that alternative education activities have been arranged for refusers. Get this in writing, if possible.
On the day of the tests, make sure your child has a note from you with them at school (you can use your original refusal letter) and it is easily accessible. Some schools may require that your child sit through the test administrator’s instructions before removing him or her, simply because this is how the state law is interpreted. Make sure that your child knows not to touch the test, at all! When the students begin testing, tell your child to wait patiently, keep hands and pencils off the test, and sit quietly until removed from the classroom. (Many parents suggest not sending your child to school with a pencil at all.)
After the Test
Once everything is said and done, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and celebrate your victory. However, remain vigilant. Continue to monitor the NM Refuse the Test website and Facebook group for developments, stories, and actions. To make this an effective boycott, we have to remain active and strong, and we have to be ready to justify our actions to our schools, other parents, and even the press.
Trust us, the press loves this kind of thing!
Take part in rallies, protests, and town hall meetings. Speak at your board of education meetings. Keep the momentum alive and the pressure on. There is no doubt that the powers that be will attempt to discredit the movement or even parents as a group. Be ready to make your voice heard.
We are doing this for our kids. That’s all that matters.
Refuse these Tests!
The people who created this awful mess aren’t going to just throw up their hands and let us win. There is an obscene amount of money behind these “reforms,” and our education leaders are expected to perform well in order to get the investors the returns they expect. No, not smart and happy kids; by investment, we mean privatized public schools, increased sales of testing and intervention products, and technology sales and maintenance. This has nothing to do with how well-adjusted your children are. It has only to do with how well-trained your kids are to do the work that these investors expect of them.
Also, the tests you are refusing (see below) are those that are evaluating your child’s teachers and schools—not your child. These tests are invalid, wasteful, and steal valuable instruction time.
So, expect scare tactics. Expect threats. Expect PED, some superintendents, and even some principals and teachers to throw every lie, fib, and nightmare scenario at you. And be ready to let them bounce off. If you hear one that is particularly worrisome, please check with the Facebook group (NM Refuse the Test) or send an email through the website. We will investigate all claims there, and there will be plenty of support on Facebook.
Understand that the high school SBAs and EoCs are required for a normal diploma. We are fighting this policy, and you should too. Demand that your district allow students to receive a diploma based on alternative performance assessments.
This is for our kids. This is for the future of their education and the future of our state and country.
Getting Started
The first and most important step is to let your school know of your intent to refuse the state test(s). I strongly advise this, since blindsiding them with a surprise refusal may create defensiveness and a less cooperative environment. Speak to your child’s teacher(s) about your decision. You may be surprised to know that many of them support your decision wholly.
Check the NM Refuse the Test Facebook page or website to find sample letters to use when advising your school and district of your decision. If you are more comfortable writing your own refusal letter, that’s probably even better. Putting a personal touch on it makes it stronger. Give a copy to the school principal, each teacher, and the district superintendent (and the press, if you’re so inclined). The school will most likely give you the Parent Refusal Form to fill out and return. Return that as quickly as possible.
According to the assessment program manual, districts are expected to meet with refusing parents to attempt to change their minds. Handle this as you are comfortable. If you hear any of the aforementioned lies, threats, or cons, this will be the place. Take good notes. Record the conversation if it is permissible. We are here to help.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember, this is your child you are standing up for. You are never “requesting” a refusal; you are “informing” those concerned of your decision—the decision you’ve already made. Do not “request.” A request is always denied.
During the Testing Days
If anything is going to get messed up, it’s on testing day. School staff are on a tight schedule and are expected to make everything run as smoothly as possible. They risk sanctions from the state for simply miscounting something.
To make things go more smoothly for them, remind them a week in advance of your decision and confirm that alternative education activities have been arranged for refusers. Get this in writing, if possible.
On the day of the tests, make sure your child has a note from you with them at school (you can use your original refusal letter) and it is easily accessible. Some schools may require that your child sit through the test administrator’s instructions before removing him or her, simply because this is how the state law is interpreted. Make sure that your child knows not to touch the test, at all! When the students begin testing, tell your child to wait patiently, keep hands and pencils off the test, and sit quietly until removed from the classroom. (Many parents suggest not sending your child to school with a pencil at all.)
After the Test
Once everything is said and done, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and celebrate your victory. However, remain vigilant. Continue to monitor the NM Refuse the Test website and Facebook group for developments, stories, and actions. To make this an effective boycott, we have to remain active and strong, and we have to be ready to justify our actions to our schools, other parents, and even the press.
Trust us, the press loves this kind of thing!
Take part in rallies, protests, and town hall meetings. Speak at your board of education meetings. Keep the momentum alive and the pressure on. There is no doubt that the powers that be will attempt to discredit the movement or even parents as a group. Be ready to make your voice heard.
We are doing this for our kids. That’s all that matters.
Refuse these Tests!
- PARCC (Grades K - 8
- New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (Grades 3 – 8)
- New Mexico Alternative Performance Assessment (Grades K – 8)
- End-of-Course exams (Grades 3 – 8)
- DIBELS (Elementary)
- Discovery Education, NWEA MAP, and Riverside Testing
- Any test that is used to evaluate your child’s teachers or school, and does not help your teacher assess your child (ask school personnel)