Refusing the 2022 Math Tests
NYC Opt Out hosted a public-facing virtual meeting about why and how to refuse the 2022 NY state math tests. Below are links to the slide deck used for the presentation, a sample opt out letter, and a recording of the meeting.
SLIDE DECK
For full information, we recommend reading the speaker notes at the bottom of each slide. You may need to be viewing the deck on a computer—not a phone—to see these notes.
RECORDING OF ZOOM FORUM
We were unable to capture the first few minutes of the forum, which consisted of an intro to the topic and to NYC Opt Out.
The recording picks up as elementary school teacher Phiona Lynch and moderator Jody Drezner Alperin enumerate 5 reasons why families should refuse the 2022 math tests, beginning with the disruption to instruction that state testing brings in an already disrupted year.
At minute
4:34 Elementary school testing calendar 2021-2022
6:19 Disruption of social-emotional learning (Educator Selena Carrión)
11:23 Reports of disastrous 2022 ELA administration (Kemala Karmen)
13:26 Disruption of essential student services (Educator Katie Lapham)
17:48 Inequitable aspects of state testing (Reyhan Mehran)
21:44 How will I know my kid is on target? (Jody Drezner Alperin)
23:00 Sample math problem & scoring (Educator Jane Maisel)
28:16 Who really knows how your child is doing (Jody)
29:12 But what if my kid wants to take it? (Jody)
31:14 Will refusing the tests affect middle or high school admissions? (Jody)
34:00 Debunking myths about state testing and the use of state test scores... (Jody)
36:16 NY State officials: Families have the right to refuse the tests (Jody)
37:28 How to refuse (aka opt out of) the tests (Jody)
38:29 Roadblocks: What to do if you are getting pushback when you ask to opt out (Reyhan)
40:29 Test refusal is the most powerful tool parents have at their disposal: Opt Out movement wins (Jody)
42:44 Join us! Organizing to grow the movement (Jody)
45:13 Q & A with audience (educators and parents)
