Debate Over NJ's New Standardized Test Shifts From Classroom To Legislature
By Cleve Bryan
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) – Parents in New Jersey who don't want their kids to take the PARCC test appear to have lawmakers on their side.
Thursday the New Jersey General Assembly passed a bill 72-0 that allows parents to opt out of PARCC, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Test.
A 4165 says parents have the option at least 14 days before PARCC starts each year to submit a letter saying they refuse to let their child take the test.
School districts will be required to offer alternative educational activies in separate rooms from testing occurs.
The New Jersey Education Association has a running tally of opt outs and now estimates that more than 45,000 students refused the test in New Jersey.
"What's happening right now with the PARCC test is unhealthy to our society. Parents have great suspicion about the test in general – how it's being administered, the amount of class time it's utilizing, what are the results being used for?" says bill sponsor Patrick Diegnan.
The New Jersey Senate has not moved a matching bill from committee.
