Why our son won't take the EOGs

From Pamela Grundy and Peter Wong, parents of a CMS seventh grader, in response to “Common Core vs. ‘It’s OK, honey’" (Viewpoint, March 28):

In his assessment of the rapidly growing national opt-out movement, Lane Filler suggests that parents who have chosen to opt out of or refuse high-stakes state tests are seeking to “shield” our children from “feelings of inadequacy,” and charges that our actions “soften and degrade the process of parenting.”

We beg to differ.

Like the vast majority of parents who are choosing to refuse the tests, we regularly challenge our son to undertake difficult tasks where he is unlikely to succeed at the first, second or even third attempt – tasks such as mastering a difficult musical piece, or writing a high-quality research paper. These endeavors have real value. High-stakes standardized tests, in contrast, do far more harm than good.

During nearly a decade of experience with high-stakes testing, we have become increasingly appalled at the damage we have seen it do to schools and children. But despite copious documentation of this damage – downplaying of “extras” such as art and music, rampant teaching to the test, test-related increases in dropout rates, talented teachers choosing to pursue different careers – we see no serious efforts to turn to alternative approaches. Elected officials from both parties have failed us. It is time for parents – who have the biggest stake in high-quality public education – to just say no.

As we have discussed opt out/refusal with parents around the state, we have talked to some parents who are concerned about the effect that taking the tests has on their children. These are primarily parents of exceptional children whose cognitive challenges are severe enough that they have no chance of passing the tests put before them. Yet because of one-size-fits-all bureaucratic regulations these children are required to sit and struggle with the tests for hour upon hour. Anyone who has proctored in this kind of situation can tell you what a painful experience it can be for everyone involved. Lane Filler may believe that seeking to shield a child from that kind of experience will “soften and degrade the process of parenting.” We do not.

We did not make our decision lightly. Parenting has always been a tremendous challenge. But we believe our son will learn more valuable lessons from a targeted, carefully considered decision to stand up to the status quo than from a timid conformity to a system we believe is deeply flawed.