550 Parents Opt Out in Snohomish, Washington

We all know that teachers can advocate for children, organize opposition, and try to make the abusive testing environments as humane as possible.  But we know, too, that parents hold the key to bringing down the high-stakes testing madness that has corrupted our schools and damaged learning for a whole generation of kids.  Is it worth it?  Parents say no, in ever-increasing numbers.

When we get enough to make these tests as psychometrically pointless as they are pedagogically meaningless now, then things will change overnight.  Sign up at United Opt Out National for all the latest.

SNOHOMISH -- More than 550 Snohomish School District students did not take state exams in the past two weeks, a revolt staged by parents who question whether the tests are worth the money. The parents also hoped to get the attention of state lawmakers. 

With so many kids bowing out of the tests, the school district could lose some control for another year in how it spends federal funds given to schools with a large percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.  

The district most likely won't meet the federal requirement that at least 95 percent of students participate in the exams. 

So far, the students who didn't take the Measurement of Student Progress represent about 12 percent of the 4,501 students between third and eighth grade required to take the test in Snohomish. 

Last year only 12 students missed the standardized tests. 

The final tally could increase because students are scheduled to continue taking the tests until June 1. . . .