Just wanted to let you know that I was successful in REFUSING to allow my daughter to sit through the 6th grade (middle school) Virginia standardized tests this year (called SOLs here). I spoke with the assistant principal today after she read our email using this blurb: As her parents, it is our right as her parents to chose this option for our child as parental rights are broadly protected by United States Supreme Court decisions (Meyer and Pierce), especially in the area of education. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents possess the “fundamental right” to “direct the upbringing and education of their children.” Furthermore, the Court declared that “the child is not the mere creature of the State: those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right coupled with the high duty to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” (Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510, 534-35) The Supreme Court criticized a state legislature for trying to interfere “with the power of parents to control the education of their own.” (Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 402.) In Meyer, the Supreme Court held that the right of parents to raise their children free from unreasonable state interference is one of the unwritten liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment (262 U.S. 399). She will not be retained in 6th grade, nor will she receive any derogatory remarks on her record. I was told by the assistant principal that elementary and middle school standardized tests in Virginia are not mandatory but in high school, a student MUST pass the algebra and geometry SOL tests before they will be allowed to graduate. WHAT?!!!!! I graduated in 1992 in Southern California with a college prep diploma and all that was required was that we pass the similar test to a GED for math i.e. fractions, decimals and other mundane math functions. I am happy to report this outcome and encourage ALL PARENTS to refuse their kids taking the standardized tests. You will have to send the letter annually to request refusal but it is worth it! Oh, and just to clarify, she will get SOL results with everyone else, except hers will say a 0 or FAIL just because the test grading system only has one catch all mark for fails, refusals, etc. It will not impact her at all. Lets see how this plays out in the future years! Now, if we could just get rid of Common Core next!
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 18:25:52 +0000
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