The CBC ran a story on how an Alberta mother received pressure about her decision to opt her daughter out of grade six Provincial Achievement Tests. This is the same mother who wrote a guest post for this blog on the pressure she received.
There are many teachers who opt their children out of Provincial Achievement Tests. Here is an anonymous post from a teacher on how they opted their child out. They decided to remain anonymous in fear of reprimand.
Here are more posts on Alberta's Provincial Achievement Tests:
Assessment and Provincial Achievement Tests
University of Saskatchewan waives PATs and Diploma exams
Alberta teacher excuses their child from PAT
Accountability and the Provincial Achievement Tests: Myth and Reality
Are Provincial Achievement Tests in Alberta High Stakes Exams?
The fear of Provincial Achievement Testing
The Folly of Provincial Achievement Testing
Exempting from Testing in Alberta
Alberta Provincial Achievement Test Taking Tips
Alberta axes written portion of PATs
Teachers know best
Standardized Testing is Dumbing Down our Schools
Misuse of Provincial Achievement Tests
Thomas Lukaszuk on Standardized Testing
More on opting out of testing
Assessment and Provincial Achievement Tests
University of Saskatchewan waives PATs and Diploma exams
Alberta teacher excuses their child from PAT
Accountability and the Provincial Achievement Tests: Myth and Reality
Are Provincial Achievement Tests in Alberta High Stakes Exams?
The fear of Provincial Achievement Testing
The Folly of Provincial Achievement Testing
Exempting from Testing in Alberta
Alberta Provincial Achievement Test Taking Tips
Alberta axes written portion of PATs
Teachers know best
Standardized Testing is Dumbing Down our Schools
Misuse of Provincial Achievement Tests
Thomas Lukaszuk on Standardized Testing
More on opting out of testing
It is very unclear in Ontario whether parents have the option to withdraw or not. EQAO documents used to say all students were 'required' but in the most recent booklet that's been softened to 'expected to write'. There is no definitive process for withdrawal and whether or not parents have problems seems to depend on whether or not the principal they are working with feels pressure to have the school score high on the tests.
ReplyDeleteAs near as I can tell only the principal can excuse a student and then only legitimately if it would cause undue stress (e.g. a high needs student). Other students may declare themselves 'sick' on testing days, but the principal is 'supposed' to have those students write the test if they return during the 3 weeks writing period. So we have some parents having to keep their child home 'sick' for 3 weeks.
No one seems to want to clarify any of this, I presume because it may result in many kids opting out. It's a mess!