While you're waiting to start, please take a moment to sign our petition: tinyurl.com/HighStakesNoTakes

Thank you to the organizers from this Durham ESL teacher for prioritizing language access!

yes

thank you for this valuable info!!

Good information Will!

Thank you for the data.

There are currently about 40-45 clusters of COVID-19 infection at schools, public and private tracked by NC Department of Health and Human Services

Nan, can you please share where we can find that data?

https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/dashboard/Weekly-Ongoing-Clusters-in-Child-Care-and-School-Settings.pdf

Thank you!

Thank you for dong this. I am a HS teacher. I received the email from State Sup Mark Johnson today regarding testing. He attached a form to fill out to send in if you disagree with having in-person tests (EOCs.) I plan on doing that tomorrow.

I think it’s critical to recognize that masks and social distancing are only a part of the equation. time is a critical piece and most of the time interactions at 6 ft with masks are for 20 minutes or less. a 4 hour test is not safe in an indoor setting even with greater than 6 ft distances

My twin daughters both are diabetic...one is TYPE 1 AND THE OTHER TYPE 2...the one who is Type 1 also has asthma and severe hypertension...….the other she has severe iron defiency ,,,,I will not send them back. I can't

I don’t see why they can’t just get in completed and take the test after the vaccine is available

so true!!

What happens when you don't send your child back to take their exams because they and myself have underlining health issues

Thanks Rebecca. Can I find this form also? My junior has an EOC on Monday. I am trying to fight this.

data should never be more important than safety - the test isn’t adding to their fund of knowledge it is just a measurement

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/NCSBE/2020/12/09/file_attachments/1621490/Objection%20Form.pdf

exactly! compliance should not be the highest virtue!

"we always have a choice" -- great point!

The message sent by Superintendent Johnson is NOT about in person tests per se. Our current understanding of the "objection" is whether or not you agree with how much the EOC high school tests will count toward a student's final grade.

Sharing this memo from the state testing office that states that students who do not take the tests during the fall semester may take them in the spring or summer testing windows. Some districts are being more transparent with this information than others: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/NCSBE/2020/11/13/file_attachments/1601158/2020-21%20Testing%20&%20Accountability%20Update.pdf

Yes, some districts are being intentionally not transparent.

“We always have a choice”- thank you for saying this.

Wake County parent and former teacher here - I question if my district and others even have the ability to administer these tests. They’ve been done on laptops for years, and aren’t most or all school laptops in student homes now?

right -- we can't keep acting like everything is normal!

I agree with Ilina. This is a great time to think about whether or not testing should continue. This is a dangerous time with the infection rate going through the roof. The billion dollar industrial testing complex should end. Testing has been show to have no prediction of how a student turns out later.

Schools that have been virtual all year do not have the capacity or supplies to safely administer in-person exams (Durham teacher here)

Let me know if this opens. I’m doing this on my phone.

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/NCSBE/2020/12/09/file_attachments/1621490/Objection%20Form.pdf

I agree! my children won't be going either!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RY7xacnb1lkKN2hYr_-UEvdZYmWBf1gwLA0fXmH8XA0/edit?usp=sharing

What happens when teachers, who are our children's leaders, are scared to be in a room with them and are being forced to be in the same room and have a level head to administer some test? Our State Board needs to have an empathetic mind here, not just a logical one.

Test administration would seem like it can be done at home with student lap tops, but the testing environment cannot be secured, to prove children aren't "cheating" or to confirm they are not having technical difficulties. The data that arises from such non uniform conditions will always be suspect

Our principal is saying that my third grader must enter the building to take the BOG next week. Can they really force us to bring him in the building?

Our PTO is currently shut down due to Covid.

Shea, you can refuse for BOGs and EOGs in lower grades. It does not affect their grades or promotion.

thank you Suzanne!

Many PTA/PTO are not active now , or are too small to have dedicated advocacy committee

I thought that this order to have testing in-person was coming from the federal level. Am I wrong?

Lisa, yes, completely canceling the tests requires a federal waiver.

But there are certain aspects of the testing over which the state exerts some control: the requirement for the grade to count 20%.

and getting that requirement waived would make it easier for students to stay home!

And this memo from the state testing office suggests that local boards have flexibility in some other areas: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/NCSBE/2020/11/13/file_attachments/1601158/2020-21%20Testing%20&%20Accountability%20Update.pdf

si tienen preguntas en español. pueden mandarme las preguntas ami! (if you have any questions in Spanish, send them my way!)

At this point, my school starts testing on Monday and I don't see them changing anything.

thank you Selena!

That's it!!!

Bring up this issue to your PTAs and capitalize on the power in numbers. Imagine if this were the catalyst to galvanize students and parents to propel an opt out movement in NC.

+1

What was shared about high school tests?

Us educators really need the parents to help with this issue!

Give me a minute I'm trying to get this thing on muted. I'm so sorry

My settings have been muted so I have to change it it'll be just a minute

I wrote a letter to the editor that was published in the Raleigh News and Observer (and I'm assuming the Durham Herald-Sun as well): https://www.newsobserver.com/article247605710.html

could the group clarify the Superintendent message of today. there is confusion about it being directly related to in-person testing

Yes, Nan I can take that.

I appreciate this group got together. What are you all doing at a state level?

Can you place the superintendent message in the chat?

My sons refused the tests grades 3-8 with no repercussions.

Is that documented somewhere to be able to share if/when I have to refuse testing for my child?

From NC Superintendent Mark JohnsonEducators:Many have contacted DPI and local school leaders to voice concerns over the State Board of Education’s requirements for mandatory EOCs that also count as 20% of a student’s grade. If you disagree with these requirements, please see below for how you can have your voice heard.The State Board will soon finalize its testing rule for the entire state. This rule will require most students to take EOC assessments. This rule will also require that a student’s EOC grade counts as at least 20% of the student’s overall grade for the class.Once the State Board secures final approval from the NC Rules Review Commission, these requirements will become permanent. It will then be difficult to change this EOC rule – even if North Carolina gets testing waivers from the U.S. Department of Education.If you disagree with these requirements, you can have your voice heard by filling out this objection form and emailing, mailing, or faxing it to the NC Rules Review Commission.

Is anyone irate about the 20% of overall grade policy? So easily waved — possibly discriminatory against those with learning disabilities and challenging home environments. Setting aside the madness of giving these tests in public, how terrible to make our states students less competitive with Georgia, Mass,etc kids….

Thank you!

http://www.fairtest.org/get-involved/opting-out

Does anyone have information on the testing window for Buncombe County?

+1

http://www.fairtest.org/why-you-can-boycott-testing-without-fear

I’m Chad Pharr I’d like to speak❤️

Social media is the fast way to get the word out.

+1

I have been talking to DPI, and different people in our district as well as have tried advocating with legislators and the media. What I was told today by our district that if we delay testing students will have to take the test in January when it is likely the pandemic will be worse and likely less safe environments because students will have to take the tests in classrooms with less social distancing.

Thank you.

And it isn't just EOG's and EOC's being "required" of students in schools. It's also a variety of external diagnostic testing that steals valuable instructional time from teacher and students.

Chad, I can’t hear you

I was knocked out but I am back. I'd love to ask the question if there's time

Having trouble hearing Chad.

Super quiet here too

Elisa, please ask it here if you’d like

Chad, I haven’t been able to here you very well.

+1

+1

Letha, Could you share this video in Spanish? I can share to the latino community in Durham.

Perhaps the faith community could get involved.

what is the testing window for Buncombe County High Schools?

It’s all terrible (maybe criminal) but the 20% of final grade not being waved is kicking our kids while down. Unreal. If interested in focusing on that bit, please lmk here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19K8uLNr3zf4LZe8OFm6WJn6fyOVs_kfyiJY1cJXlCJg/edit

This live video is recorded in English (Spanish channel isn't part of recording) but we will follow up and explore more outreach options and ways to communicate and share the info. Thank you!

Thank you

I would love to find a way for ISLA to help with this outreach to the Latinx community!

Thank you Casey, the ACT & SAT’s should be completely waived for college applicants this year and next.

Let's make it happen, Cristo! We'll follow up with you and the ISLA team. Thank you!

It is ironic that our district will not have the PSAT due to covid but yet they are hosting this standardized testing.

I know of parents who have driven out of state for hours so their kid could test. There are far less sites. It’s crazy.

My concern is OSEP is required to report specific indicators including AYP for SWD and racial disparities in edu achievement. State data is how they do this. why can we not take these tests virtually? They keep saying the results wouldn’t be valid- however if children “cheat” or use notes or whatever it will actually make NC look better during COVID. Can we advocate for virtual and not 20% so we still have data on SWD and student sub groups?

What is needed is for districts taking a stand for children's safety, and cancelling testing without having Federal waiver and taking the "consequence"... a consequence that I believe will be non existent. Now districts are shrugging shoulders and saying "but our hands are tied by Fed requirements." They shouldn't be operating under the threat of repercussions in COVID times.

Julie is my friend and a doctor. She knows what she is talking about. We are Asheville High School parents in Buncombe County.

Let’s name that extensive testing isn’t just to collect data, it’s part of a plan to systematically discredit & defund public schools

in Durham there is a letter circulating written by parents informing our local BOE that they will not be having their kids test. it feels like this is one of the most effective things parents can do if nothing changes at the local, state, or federal level -- just keep your kids home! what do others think?

I agree Joseph

Thank you Riley. True.

I do hope for my own 11th grader than the ACT and SAT will not be required for college admission. NC currently requires all juniors, regardless of college plans, to take the ACT during the February in-person administration. To my knowledge this mandatory requirement is still in place.

These are federally funded state mandated tests and the state needs a federal waiver to be able to not have the tests or the state/district would be breaking federal law.

Spot on, Riley. What would happen if we just simply did’t administer high stakes tests this year?

Thank you Elisa. Asheville High Parents- We need to ALL send Mr. Edwards an email.

Yes, Riley. And to pit teachers against each other, as some teachers are offered bonuses for student performance and other teachers are not offered a bonus.

Teachers can’t lead this effort, so that’s why parents and students must take the lead!

Susan, we should understand the consequence of breaking Federal law

I have been writing Principal Edwards at Asheville high and there is nothing he can do.

Nan, I don't know what the consequences are. Does anyone here know?

Susan, is there an option to take it in may/June

if the 95% participation rule set by Federal governement is not met by a school, there is a scoring adjustment that happens. the world does not end.

The federal government threatens to withhold funding if 95% of students don’t test, but that’s never happened.

It’s insanity that a child should have to choose between a grade and health.

Do I understand correctly that the state can change the 20% rule?

thank you !!!!

Yes! Districts make choice- not DeVos. The EOG’s however are helpful to see racial disparities and disparities for SWD. Without this data we would loose it for student subgroups. My HS won’t go in person but I’d hate to loose the data on disparities

Thank you! You all are awesome to lead this!

yes total insanity

the federal government has NEVER withheld federal funds from school districts for lack of compliance on 95% participation

thank you!

even in states with massive opt-out movements

The threat that districts seem to fear is losing funding because of ESSA (formerly No Child Left Behind) requirements to test. I feel that it's unlikely the Biden administration would want to start things off by defunding public schools in a pandemic....but some districts are reluctant to take the risk.

Thank you for this and all the great info.

thank you

Asheville High Parents. Please, someone other than me post in the parent group tonight.

Thank you for helping amplify our voices and concerns.

@nctestingreform

Thank you for all the great info!

nctestingreform.org

I’m so hopeful that Jill Biden will be a big influence on federal ed policy!

Supporting materials for tonight's event available on website

As a teacher strongly opposed to testing thank you so much for the work you do.