For immediate release August 31, 2014
Parents, Teachers Say No to Kindergarten Test
“I have opted out both my Kindergartner and my Second Grader,” says Jennifer Lewis, a Portland Public School parent. Lewis is just one of many parents across Oregon opting their child out of a new Kindergarten Assessment.
The
Oregon Kindergarten Assessment was instituted last year by Governor
Kitzhaber. Many early childhood and educational experts disagree this
test measures kindergarten readiness at all. Parent Child Preschools
Organization, an organization of sixty preschools in Oregon and
Washington, has sent out information to all parents at their member
preschools.
Kathy
Ems, PCPO Vice-President says, “PCPO is very concerned about the Oregon
Kindergarten Assessment and its effects both on the very young children
taking the test and on preschool curriculum. A substantial body of
research supports play-based preschool, without formal academic
instruction. Learning the names and sounds of letters in preschool may
happen naturally (your name starts with J), but is not part of the
curriculum of a play-based program. In fact, much of the research
supports starting formal academics after kindergarten, when children's brains are ready for the task of reading.”
In
the first days of kindergarten students are tested on letter
recognition, math skills and behavior skills. Test results cannot be
released to teachers or parents, and teachers are not allowed to use
them to inform instruction. Teachers are strictly prohibited from
coaching or helping students. Teachers do their own evaluations of
students for normal classroom instruction
Lewis’
2nd grade son did take the kindergarten readiness test and she didn’t
like what he went through. “No 5 year old should have to go through a
testing regimen, where they are repeatedly asked the same question. My
son noticed this in his kindergarten assessment and started rocking and
stopped responding. They know inherently they got it wrong when asked
twice.” says Lewis.
In
Oregon parents can ask to opt their children out of tests by contacting
their school principal or school district or teacher. Oregon schools
allow two reasons for opting out, disability or religion. Washington
and California allow parents to opt out without providing reasons. Ems
says “We encourage parents to share their concerns with their principal
and other school officials. It may be possible for parents to opt out
of the testing for reasons of disability or religion, including
philosophical beliefs."
“Parents
should not feel pressured or bullied by their school to participate in
standardized testing. The state shouldn’t be pressuring and bullying
schools and teachers to participate in standardized testing,” says
Kathleen Jeskey an Oregon SOS member and Canby teacher. Jeskey helped
co-found Oregon Save Our Schools, a group of committed teachers, parents
and retired educational researchers who are trying to get the word out
about the dangers of high stakes testing. Oregon SOS is holding opt out
parties to encourage parents to learn more about the tests.
Kindergarten tests will be administered all over Oregon with many being
done the first week of September. “Why diminish a child's self confidence at 5?” asks Lewis