http://youtu.be/bvadNbAJsh4
Many students across the Las Cruces Public School District and the state of New Mexico are planning on walking out of school today to protest PARCC testing. Some parents and students attended a press conference held by Superintendent Stan Rounds to get more information about these new standardized tests, and the planned walkout.
Cameron Castillo is an 8th grader at Camino Real Middle School who wants to see less testing.
“I’m very concerned,” Castillo said. “I think that standardized testing is ruining the educational foundation that we set forth in this country, and that things need to change.”
He says he plans on participating in a different form of protest at Camino Real.
“I’m not planning on walking out,” Castillo said. “Students at Camino have been warned that they can not walk out because they will face suspension or possibly a police report. What students are thinking about doing is wearing a specific color to voice their concern at lunch. Which I think is great, I think students should have the opportunity to voice their concern through the first amendment of the US constitution.”
Superintendent Stand Rounds says emotions are high across the district over testing.
“Students often reflect our adult attitudes as we talk at the dinner table, in the classrooms, and other places,” Rounds said. “I think the biggest frustration here is the high stakes nature of the testing.”
These tests alone count for 35% of a teacher’s evaluation, and many feel that these tests are too difficult.
“This is a hard test,” Rounds said. “It was given to a group of legislators in Hobbs, New Mexico at a Legislative Education Study Committee meeting, and what they gave them was the 5th grade test. And a majority of them were unable to complete it. So it’s hard, it is hard.”
Rounds says because it is the first time the test will be given it isn’t standardized yet, and after students take the exam the grades will be normed so he doesn’t expect everyone to fail.
If a student attempts to take the test three times, and fails then they are eligible to complete an Alternative Demonstration of Competency in order to graduate.
“The end of course exam is the exam at the end of the course,” Rounds said. “And the difference is it has to be approved by the state of New Mexico to be approved for the purpose of contributing to the diploma question.”
He says parents will be notified if their child participates in the walkout.
“We want parents to know just like we know what’s going on,” Rounds said. “So, that’s why we are sending postcards because they will let parents know your child’s gone. Parent’s if you approve that, great, and know we’ll also give you on that card information about how can they make the test up, and then a reminder of what I said earlier. There are some risks, and if you don’t take it we would like to talk to you about those risks.”
Cameron Castillo says he is glad students are using what they can to make their voice heard, specifically social media.
“We as 8th graders and as kids know how to utilize that more than ever now,” Castillo, said. “We know how to utilize that tool to create a voice, and to create a change. And I think if kids are wanting to use social media, twitter, Facebook, Instagram to do that that’s a wonderful idea.”
