BOE will accommodate PARCC refusers 1

Dr. Gina Coffaro

In a recent letter sent home to all parents with children in grades 3-8, a parent’s right to refuse their child’s participation in the upcoming PARCC assessments was acknowledged; it was detailed that children with parents refusing participation would be placed in an alternate setting (e.g. library) with a substitute teacher, where they could read. The school Principal must receive written notice of any refusals.

Dr. Coffaro, in response to questions concerning upcoming PARCC assessments, said that the Board of Education and she did not want the perceived sit and stare as many districts are facing across the state, all five members of the BOE were supportive of this never occurring here in Oakland.; but, she expects all children to take the test, and is confident that the Oakland children are ready for the assessment, and her first priority is for the children.

The alternative setting for those refusing to participate in PARCC assessments is for the benefit of both testing and non-testing students. Providing the alternative setting helps non-testing children to not miss school when their parents refuse the test; Dr. Coffaro wants the children in school, she wants them to be learning and that is what is most important; for testing students, this also removes an additional distraction which could impact their performance.

As a mother of 3 children who will be taking the PARCC the spring, Dr, Coffaro is aware of the concerns parents have; she encourages any parent with concerns to contact her and she would be happy to meet and discuss these with them.

Here is an excerpt from the lettter sent home form the PARCC Frequently Asked Tes Administration Questions section. You can also access all information about the upcoming PARCC assessments on the Oakland School website at this link:

http://www.oaklandschoolsnj.org/Page/996

What if I have concerns about my child taking the PARCC assessment?

We are confident that our students  are ready for the PARCC assessment. The District recognizes that there may be questions about the administration of the PARCC. We are prepared to respond to any questions or concerns that parents or students may have.

Please contact your child’s building principal for additional information and/or to discuss your individual questions and concerns.

What is the Oakland’s District’s stance on opting out of state assessments?

Per State guidelines, there is no provision to date to opt-out of the PARCC assessment. Our expectation is that all Oakland students will participate in the mandated state assessments so that the data it can provide is as reflective of our community as possible.

What should a parent do if they do not want their child to sit for a PARCC assessment?

If a parent refuses to permit their child to participate in PARCC testing, the child will not be compelled to    take the test. Upon receipt of written notice of refusal to their child’s principal, the child’s test will be voided per State issued guidelines and the child will be placed in an alternate setting during testing.

What if a student arrives at school on the day of testing and refuses to test?

Children will not be permitted to refuse testing without parental consent. All students will be asked to take    the test as administered, unless the school receives written notice to the contrary from a child’s parent.

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In other news…The Oakland Public School District was once again given High Performing School status for 2013-2014 by the state. The performance reports for each school can be accessed by the links below:

Dogwood Hill:  http://www.state.nj.us/education/pr/1314/03/033760040.pdf

Heights: http://www.state.nj.us/education/pr/1314/03/033760050.pdf
Manito Performance: http://www.state.nj.us/education/pr/1314/03/033760060.pdf
Valley Middle School: http://www.state.nj.us/education/pr/1314/03/033760080.pdf

From the Oakland Public School Newsletter, February 13, 2015
“A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT”

Dear Oakland Learning Community Members,

Every three years, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) evaluates public school districts. The Oakland School District’s performance review occurred this past fall through formal District Performance Review (DPR) and Statement of Assurance (SOA) submission. The State issued notification on January 7, 2015 designating the Oakland School District as “high performing.”

The Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) assesses five areas of district performance. Specifically, Instruction and Program, Fiscal Management, Operations, Personnel and Governance.  The County Office verifies a district’s self – assessment through a review of document submission and evaluation which occurred from August 2014 to December 2014.  As a result of these submissions, the State Board of Education certified through the QSAC Equivalency process “for a period of three years” the Oakland School District as providing a “high performing” thorough and efficient education in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:30-3.1 (a)-(d) and 6A:30-3.2.

The Oakland Board of Education, administration and staff are proud to share this celebratory news with you.  We are grateful for the ongoing support and partnership our parents provide to our learning community as well as the continued hard work demonstrated by our staff and students on a daily basis.  Congratulations Oakland Public Schools!

Proudly,

Dr. Gina M. Coffaro
Superintendent of Schools

Submitted by Caron Cicero McCormick