To Test or Not to Test-the Read to Achieve Portfolio

Should your child complete the Read to Achieve Portfolio?  I'm starting to believe the answer should be NO for all 3rd graders in NC.

 

I have previously stated that I understood why several districts in North Carolina have decided to require portfolio testing on all 3rd graders.  I still believe they made this call with the best of intentions--to give every student an opportunity to succeed.  However, with more information coming out about Read to Achieve, I hope districts will reverse this decision.

 

One principal is quoted in this article:

“I can’t tell you what to check, but if my child were in third-grade, it would be a big ‘no’ because I want my child taught, not tested all day,” Wolf Meadow Principal Adam Auerbach said to the parents.

Auerbach added later that his goal is to get every parent to opt out of the portfolio.

“The kids that are doing well don’t need to do the portfolio,” Auerbach said. “If (they are) not (doing well), they’re not going to pass.”

 

This principal is in a district that is not requiring all students to complete the portfolio, but he makes an excellent point.

Why should districts not require the portfolios and why should parents opt out?

1.  In a major change, just made last week, students who passed the Beginning of Grade Test are already considered proficient.  Parents, please be aware that if your child scored 442 or above, he/she will not have to go to summer school, and is not at risk of retention.  There is no reason for these students to be taking the portfolio assessments.  When districts made decisions about the portfolio testing, this exemption was not on the table.  Please also be aware that if your child did not pass the BOG, he/she is in good company--77% of students did not score high enough to pass.

 

2.  We have already discussed learning time lost to take portfolio tests, but let's hit it again.  If a student is struggling, they need more instructional time, not less!  Constant testing is going to hurt a student's chances of passing the EOG because they aren't learning while they are at school (can we see how illogical this is?).  Teachers need to be given time to teach.  Districts, please give teachers this time back.

 

3.  The tests are faulty.  A school district randomly picked 10 out of 120 available tests.  They found 6 of the 10 to be on a 5th-9th grade level.  WHY should we subject our children to this?  No wonder students come home crying and frustrated.  It is a complete and utter waste of time to give students tests that they cannot pass.  Parents, if this is damaging your child, please do not allow it.  

 

These students are in a vicious cycle right now. Our children are telling us that few are passing the assessments the first time, so they are having to take more tests, compounding the concerns mentioned.  Ultimately, parents have to do what they feel is best for their children.  I understand many are in a "no win" situation, wondering which is the greater damage--constant test taking or possible retention?   I don't have an answer, but my instincts say we must get our students off this hamster wheel and allow them to move forward.  If you would like to opt your child out of testing, I encourage you to talk with your child's teacher and/or administrator.  You might also consider this letter.

 

I also want to make certain that I am 100% clear about something.  School districts, administrators, and teachers are not to blame for this situation.  Read to Achieve was put into law by the North Carolina General Assembly.  This post is intended to ask districts to make the best of the horrible situation in which they have been placed.  The portfolio is one piece of Read to Achieve.  I have another post planned about about the other negative aspects of this program.  Parents and concerned citizens, please continue contacting legislators so changes will be made.