St. Mary students turn to tests

By JEAN L. McCORKLE
jmccorkle@daily-review.com
While students in grades three through eight are taking practice tests in preparation for PARCC testing in mid-March, at least one St. Mary mother says she is opting out of the testing for her son.
Leah Begley said she met with leaders at Morgan City Junior High to discuss the possibility that her sixth grade son, whom she declined to name, will opt out of Common Core aligned PARCC tests, named for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers consortium that developed them.
“This is just a personal decision I made for my son because I don’t believe in standardized testing in any form,” Begley said.
Begley said her son is dyslexic and uses assistive technology to increase his reading comprehension. That, she said, is not allowed during standardized testing.
Robbi Gouaux, St. Mary accountability manager, said test accommodations or assistive technology options available for the iLEAP and LEAP also are available under PARCC guidelines.
Additionally, Begley said, she doesn’t believe standardized testing is a true reflection of a student’s knowledge and “brings a frustration level” for the student.
Her younger two children attend private schools and are not required to take the same testing, she said.
Begley said she learned of the opting out option via the executive order issued in late January by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Jindal’s executive order references state laws in directing the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to “avoid student achievement being negatively impacted by a score of zero as a result of nonparticipation.”
The order does not direct a specific board action but says “BESE is urged” to allow school districts to administer appropriate alternatives to the exams.
State Superintendent John White, a Common Core supporter, said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press that there is no constitutional authority behind the order. BESE President Chas Roemer agreed and said the order was politically motivated and “an obvious attempt by the governor to create chaos in our education system.”
Common Core is a series of standards in reading, writing and math developed in a collaborative effort among states. Jindal, who is considering a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, once backed them, but has reversed course as some conservatives have opposed them and President Barack Obama’s administration has offered financial incentives for states to support them.
Jindal now casts the standards as an attempt at federal control of education.
White, Jindal’s one-time ally, insists the state is moving forward with testing.
In mid-February, during a trip to St. Mary Parish, White said, “We’ve always had parents who decided they didn’t want to test. There’s always been a small number.
“There is a law that says you have to send your kids to school. There is a federal law that says we have to count the kid in the testing system.
“If a parent wants to opt-out, we should just talk to them. Just like if a parent doesn’t want to send their kid on a field trip, just talk to them.
“Have a dialog. That’s what education is supposed to be about,” White said.
Begley said she did just that with Principal Kenneth Holmes and said she understands that if children don’t take the test, the school and their teachers get zeros.
“I can understand why they don’t want kids to opt out. It goes against the school. I agree it’s unfair to the school system and the teachers,” Begley said.
However, she added, “Just because it’s unfair to (the school) and to the teachers, I’m not willing to put my child through testing that he’s not up for, especially if he’s not going to get his accommodations.”
She said her son is participating in the practice testing with the rest of the students.
Gouaux said the first phase of PARCC testing is March 16-20. Phase I is a performance-based assessment that tests reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing on the English language arts portion.
The math portion consists of multiple choice, multiple select, fill-in-the-blank grid, conceptualized modeling and extended response items, she said.
The second phase, end of year testing, will be April 4-8.
In English, that phase will test reading comprehension and vocabulary.
The math portion will consist of multiple choice, multiple select and fill-in-the-blank grid items.
“The district composed a testing preparation plan for schools to utilize as they develop student competencies and skills in accordance with PARCC testing specifications.
The plan is composed of test practice materials, professional development for teachers and data analysis to remediate areas of student deficiencies.
“Schools will integrate use of simulated PARCC test items within classroom instruction on a regular basis as they build student understanding and confidence in advance of the Phase I writing sessions that begin on March 16,” Gouaux said in an email.