BUTLER, Ohio – Parents and educators of the Clear Fork Local Schools District gathered at the Butler library Wednesday evening, April 1, to discuss opposition to Common Core and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing.
Their forces, however, were divided, as at the same time the Clear Fork Valley Local Schools Board of Education was holding a special meeting to discuss a promised PARCC resolution. Spouses texted each other from the two meetings, providing updates which were announced to other parents.
The parents’ meeting featured guest speaker Marianne Gasiecki, Ontario school board member and Mansfield Tea Party founder. Also speaking at the meeting was organizer Jennifer Stallard, who had addressed the school board at their last meeting regarding her opposition to PARCC testing.
“The reason we are having this meeting is not to convince you to opt out,” said Stallard. “It’s more to convince you to do your research to make your own educated decision.”
Attendees were presented with information packets containing contact information of state representatives, board members, and online resources as well as reference material concerning Common Core and PARCC.
Stallard discussed several points regarding Common Core and PARCC, including the allocation of funds from Race to the Top.
Stallard explained that PARCC testing was created to test what children learn of Common Core. She said that Pearson’s contract to administer the test has earned has earned “$20 million just from Ohio, and $32 million just from New York. That doesn’t include the other states.”
The lack of transparency in PARCC testing was discussed. “Tests cannot be seen by parents or teachers, and in some schools in Ohio, the children are being advised to not tell their parents what they have seen on these tests, meaning we have no idea what is being asked of our children,” said Stallard.
Another point included teachers judged solely on the results of a single test, rather than the overall grades and accomplishments of students. “Your teacher fails, your student fails. It’s not fair at all,” Stallard said.
Data mining by the testing was addressed, with Stallard noting that over 400 data points are collected. A video she suggested parents watch, which discusses data mining, was listed in the resource material and can be seen here.
Gasiecki also addressed data mining. “This is nothing to do with educating our kids. It is all about profiteering and data gathering,” she said.
She suggested parents research a program known as P20W as well as the student longitudinal data system.
“Every time your child logs onto a computer in school, that is all being tracked,” she said. “That’s why they all need an iPad. That’s why everybody has to work on a computer. How do you track a kid if they aren’t logging into something all the time?
“I am so strongly opposed to the use of technology in our schools. It’s one thing to have a computer lab…but we don’t need every child to have their own little personal computer. All that is doing is tracking what the kid is doing.”
During discussion, educators in the audience pointed out that a significant amount of money is spent on testing and technology, but the district shares a single music teacher and a single art teacher between the two elementary schools. “Can you imagine grading 700 students every nine weeks?” asked one educator.
Parents planned to address the school board with some of their issues. The next school board meeting will be April 9, 6:30 p.m., in the Clear Fork High School media center.
