The endgame of corporate reform in public school education: Part 1, What do Betsy DeVos and Seattle Public School’s IT Lead John Krull have in common?

This article was originally posted on Seattle Education and re-posted here with permission from the author.  This is the first of a three part series by Dora Taylor.  All content and posts on Stop Common Core in Washington State are … Continue reading →

WA State House Bill 1518: “The Summer Step-Up Act” re: Social Emotional Learning: Why are we experimenting on low income four-year old’s?

This article was originally posted on Seattle Education and re-posted here with permission from the author.  Coming soon will be articles in a three part series from the same author, Dora Taylor. I took a deep dive into the realm … Continue reading →

Opt Out Season is Upon Us

Assessment season is here.  That signals the beginning of the Opt Out season.  Interested parents may want to read the Opt Out Info page.

The Network for Public Education (NPE) Calls for a National Opt Out.  The NPE is supporting parents who are opting out of the 2016 state assessments and are calling for a national Opt Out.  Diane Ravitch is NPE’s board president.  Here is a video where she tells why parents should opt their students out.

Message from Diane Ravitch about Opt Out from Shoot4Education on Vimeo.

The Seattle Education blog has featured an article called Opt-Out Bus Spring Tour in Seattle.  And yes, there really is an Opt Out Bus and it does have a tour schedule.  Here are front and back pictures of the bus.

I have met and talked with a number of parents in Washington State who are interested in opting out, have opted out in the past, and are currently opting out.  The stories I hear these parents tell of their experiences are a mixed bag.  Some parents report their child’s teacher is supportive of their opt out decision.  Others report being cornered by the school principal who has tried to talk them into changing their minds and not opt out.  And there are those who have been out-right bullied by school officials.  A few parents, in more than one school, in one district have reported that upon submitting an opt out request they were told they are required to meet with the principal and sign a form acknowledging their child will not be permitted to participate in activities like band and orchestra unless they take the state assessment.  The experience of being bullied over opt out requests and the punitive consequences for opted out students has led a few of these parents to withdraw their children from public schools and start homeschooling.