Posted on May 24, 2018 May 23, 2018

PARCC Refuseniks Face Major Set back

April 20, 2011 John de Rosier editorial cartoon

May 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, from “It takes a Ridgewood Village Facebook page ;

“Please join me in contacting Mr. Jeffrey Hauger, Director of the Office of Assessments for the NJ State Department of Education as we have just been notified that students in the class of 2020 no longer meet graduation requirements if they did not take the PARCC this year. The previous requirements meant that if you took the PARCC ELA Grade 9 and PARCC Algebra 1 and passed, you had met the requirements.

The Department of Education did not notify RHS of the updated requirements until after our tests were already administered, forcing them to be partially re-administered next week. Our school has tried unsuccessfully to appeal this decision and it has been denied. I have many issues with this test, but I really have an issue with them continually adjusting their requirements. Enough. He can be reached at 609-376-3960 or jeffrey.hauger@doe.nj.gov “

Posted on March 27, 2018 March 27, 2018

PARCC Tests May Finally be On the Way Out

March 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, One bright spot in education policy changes . Governor Murphy told audiences during his campaign that he would end PARCC tests “day one,” a promise that could not be kept due to state and federal requirements to use assessments to measure student progress and evaluate schools. It would be unrealistic to think that PARCC assessments would be eliminated this spring with no plan to replace these state tests. Acting Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet issued a memo on March 6 to school districts informing them that he will establish an advisory group to study the next generation of assessments and schedule a listening tour to meet with students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members in every county.

Commissioner Repollet affirmed his commitment to transition away from the PARCC tests and to improve NJ’s assessments. Understanding that this will take time, the PARCC tests will be administered this spring as planned.

Repollet stated that “ There are many issues to take into consideration when transitioning an assessment system, including the amount of time needed to procure a new vender, the fiscal and operational impact of assessments, and continued alignment of our NJ Student Learning Standards. Additionally, as state and federal law require all states to use assessments as one method to gauge and compare progress of students and student groups and to evaluate how schools support learning, we need to ensure our next generation of assessments provides a fair and accurate picture of student progress towards the mastery of the skills we expect them to achieve.”

Posted on February 14, 2017 February 14, 2017

Putting PARCC in reverse, NJ lawmakers look to block graduation requirement

By Michael Symons February 14, 2017 3:45 AM

New Jersey lawmakers took a first step toward blocking the state Department of Education from requiring high-school students to pass the PARCC test in order to earn a diploma.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers is currently among an array of graduation requirements, but qualifying scores on alternative exams such as the SAT or ACT are being phased out. Starting with the Class of 2021 — currently in the eighth grade — students will have to pass the PARCC’s Algebra 1 and 10th-grade English tests.

Only about half of students are doing that so far in the PARCC’s first two years of use.

“I do not believe it was ever the intent of this Legislature to make PARCC a graduation requirement,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, D-Essex.

“Most states have stopped using it altogether. The decision of state Board of Ed to make PARCC a graduation requirement was, in my view, designed to thwart the opt-out movement,” Jasey said.

Read More: Putting PARCC in reverse, NJ lawmakers look to block graduation requirement | https://nj1015.com/putting-parcc-in-reverse-nj-lawmakers-look-to-block-graduation-requirement/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on October 31, 2016 October 31, 2016

PARCC test results explained

BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER

STAFF WRITER |

THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

During Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Assistant Superintendent Stacie Poelstra made a presentation about the performances of Ridgewood students in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests.

She noted that Ridgewood did very well, explaining that the district’s students “far exceeded the cross state (the eight states that still partake in PARCC testing) and New Jersey’s passing grades.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/asst-superintendent-explains-parcc-results-1.1684115

Posted on October 25, 2016 October 25, 2016

Groups sue to remove PARCC test as graduation requirement

BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Several New Jersey civil rights and advocacy organizations have sued to stop the state from using exams called PARCC as a graduation requirement, arguing it will prevent disadvantaged students and students who boycott the test from graduating.

The Latino Action Network, the Latino Coalition of New Jersey, the Paterson Education Fund and the Education Law Center filed the lawsuit in the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court on Friday. The Education Law Center and American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey are representing the groups.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/groups-sue-to-remove-parcc-test-as-graduation-requirement-1.1682345?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

Posted on March 5, 2016 March 5, 2016

Did “PARCC Refuseniks” force the Ridgewood Schools District to Take a Harder Line on PARCC tests ?

March 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A recent letter from the Ridgewood Public Schools regarding PARCC testing being held April 18-20.

file:///home/chronos/u-f41b3bf7180daea967fe8a5ff6d47d332ee91fe0/Downloads/15-16%20HS%20testing%20letter%20-%20final%20for%20eblast%20(2).pdf

“Students who are absent due to illness, family business, etc. will have make up tests scheduled for them.

Please note that students who come to school during their grade’s scheduled testing time should be prepared to take the test. Our instructional program for the mornings listed above is PARCC testing. No alternative learning experience will be provided during testing sessions. If your child is going to be absent on a testing day for any reason, please notify the High School Principal’s Secretary. You are required to send a note to school letting the principal know why your child is absent.”

This letter does seem to contradict Procedure 2622 which was adopted by our school board in February 2015. Procedure 2622 states that on testing date “a student whose parent has provided prior written notice informing the Principal their child will not be participating in a Statewide assessment will be required to report to the testing location on the date of the assessment or to the area in the building as determined by the Principal, such as study hall, media center, or other location in the school where the student can be supervised by a school district staff member.”

The BOE website states that 2622 is still valid. Many suggest that because Ridgewood High School ( RHS ) had so many opt-outs, the schools didn’t have anywhere to put the students.

Posted on April 24, 2015 April 24, 2015

PARCC Refuseniks: N.J. education officials may cut aid to districts with excessive opt-out rates

APRIL 23, 2015, 7:27 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 7:31 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

State Department of Education officials said they would consider cutting state money to schools where too many students refused to take new state standardized tests.

Education officials said it’s one of the possible sanctions they can place on schools where less than 95 percent of students take the tests.

“The New Jersey Department of Education has always had the authority to consider withholding funds to districts that do not comply with any state or federal laws,” said Michael Yaple, director of communications for the department. “This is not exclusive to PARCC testing or any other requirement.”

The state has not decided if it will use that power or how those cuts would be determined, Yaple said. Conclusions won’t be drawn until the tests are complete.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-education-officials-may-cut-aid-to-districts-with-excessive-opt-out-rates-1.1317332

Posted on February 20, 2015 May 29, 2016

Ridgewood News editorial: Test ready

Ridgewood News editorial: Test ready

FEBRUARY 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Whether you like it or not, PARCC testing is coming to Ridgewood. The new state-mandated assessment exams are slated for administration for the first time on March 2.

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-editorials/test-ready-1.1274951

Posted on February 15, 2015 February 14, 2015

Ridgewood refines policies as opt-out movement gains steam

Ridgewood refines policies as opt-out movement gains steam

February 14, 2015 Last updated: Saturday, February 14, 2015, 9:30 AM
By Darius Amos
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News

Elisabeth Rose’s daughter used to enjoy going to school. She loved to read and loved to learn.

But all that changed once her child’s third-grade class began preparations for the state-mandated PARCC exams.

“She couldn’t understand the text and the questions … she’s not liking school anymore,” Rose said, speaking candidly at Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting.

She further described her daughter’s transformation as one that “breaks my heart,” particularly after days when the student came home crying.

“It’s really sad because she can’t be the only one who’s having trouble in the elementary school setting. There was a time when [students] weren’t taught to test; they had the freedom to learn,” Rose added. “Please put something in place so the students have an option.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/opting-out-option-gaining-steam-in-ridgewood-1.1271578

Posted on February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015

PARCC Refuseniks :Issue of refusal to take tests draws a crowd

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PARCC Refuseniks :Issue of refusal to take tests draws a crowd

FEBRUARY 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The state Assembly Education Committee drew a crowd to Trenton on Thursday with a bill that would give parents the right to refuse new state tests for their children.

The tests are about two weeks away, and the bill was up for discussion only and not for a vote, but it landed at a time of heightened anxiety and debate about the exams called PARCC.

The controversial tests, which will be given in math and language arts in Grades 3-11, won’t count for graduation, grade promotion or class placement, but a growing number of parents say they are refusing to allow their kids to take the tests.

Parents and teachers argued at the hearing that the tests are too hard and draw resources from the classroom and that they shouldn’t be used to measure teacher performance. But supporters said the tests better prepare students for college and build critical thinking skills.

“Parents should not have to worry that their children will face negative consequences … if they refuse the test,” said Marie Blistan, vice president of the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union. “The NJEA believes that parents have the right to act in the best interests of their children.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-state-news/issue-of-refusal-to-take-tests-draws-a-crowd-1.1270874

Posted on February 12, 2015 June 27, 2021

Ridgewood BOE Updates Procedure in the event a parent refuses to have their child participate in a Statewide assessment

Ridgewood BOE Updates Procedure in the event a parent refuses to have their child participate in a Statewide assessment

February 12,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blogUpdate on BOE Policy 2622 – Student Assessment

Ridgewood Nj, The New Jersey Department of Education, pursuant to State law and regulations, requires all students to take State assessments as scheduled. There is no provision for a student to opt-out of Statewide assessments. Therefore, the Board requires all students to take Statewide assessments and the Board cannot grant permission to a parent for their child to opt-out of required Statewide assessments.

The procedures outlined below shall be followed in the event a parent refuses to have their child participate in a Statewide assessment.

At its February 9, 2015 meeting, the Board of Education approved, with revisions, Policy 2622 – Student Assessment as a First Draft. Click here to read the draft policy with revisions.The Board also made to revisions to new Procedure 2622. Click here to read the draft procedure with revisions