1.CALL and EMAIL NOW!!!!!
The NYS Assembly has headed in the right direction but the NYS Senate has adopted the worst of Cuomo’s education reform agenda. Please call your NYS Senator and let him
know that there is NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE!
Step1: Find your Assembly member: HERE Find your Senator: HERE
Step 2: Reference the list below to find the correct phone # and
Step 3: Make the phone call.
Step 4: Send an email.
2. SEND IN YOUR REFUSAL LETTER!
Visit our main page for links to refusal letters. Download, edit to meet your needs, and submit to the teacher and principal. Be sure to report back to Opt Out CNY on how your district will handle refusals-it’s helpful to know if any local districts will throw up ay roadblocks this testing season. We’re ready to hurdle anything they try to use to deter us, but the sooner we know, the better we can assist parents & children with refusing tests.
3. PLAN TO ATTEND OUR FINAL REGIONAL GET TOGETHER BEFORE TESTING AND NYS BUDGET FINALIZATION! BE THERE ON 3-21!
Also plan to attend a test refusal “how to” session in your community & then
share the good word on how easy it is to refuse tests-and how important!
-Check out our CALENDAR of EVENTS.
4. Add your name to our database & start networking.
–ADD YOUR NAME to our list of allies of Opt Out CNY
–FIND ALLIES in your community
5. Invite others to get involved with Opt Out CNY
-New members are always welcome to join our group. We gather on Facebook here.
6. Download a FLIER and start distributing
FLIERS HERE!
7. Contact Us for a lawn sign (SOLDOUT) or car sticker!
Sure the ground is frozen, but our refuse the test lawn signs look great in the snowbank in front of your home and even better on the dashboard of your car window when you’re parked at the store. Want to do double duty? We’ve got stickers for your car, too. Contact Opt Out CNY to request your lawn sign and car sticker!
9. Download this side by side.
Take a peek at this “Framework for Test Refusal” and help others understand what test refusal is not.
10. Explain growth scores.
Many are under the false impression that test refusal will harm a teacher’s evaluation when in fact, the opposite is true. Refusing the test is the only way to be certain your child won’t negatively impact a teacher’s evaluation. This is because a “growth model” is used to determine a teacher’s rating based on state test scores. This 7minute video from engageNY is helpful in understanding the growth model.
11. Ask your teachers association to pass the resolution to support the “I Refuse” Movement.
-Adopting the resolution shows that local unions pledge to oppose high stakes testing. Read more here.
12. Network, Read, Learn, Share!
Check out what’s happening in other groups. We have allies everywhere!
NYS Refuse the Tests
Students Not Scores
Let Them Know: Leave Our Kids Alone (new FB GROUP)
Children Parents Teachers United
Lace to the Top
Badass Teachers Association
Opt Out CNY 