Would You Consider Striking on PAARC Testing Day?

According to a Standard Times, the schools Superintendent believes New Bedford parents, teachers and students "need to embrace" Parcc testing or feel the pain courtesy of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Dr. Pia Durkin balked  in a lengthy diatribe, at the recent school committee meeting, at a Resolution that would inform, not encourage, students and parents of their right to Opt-Out of statewide standardized assessments without negative consequences.

Read: The Superintendent and an overwhelming majority of the voter approved school committee do not, REPEAT, do not want parents to have the right, not obligation, to have their child or children refuse to take the tests.

My suggestion: Stage the ole blue flu on Parcc testing day? The blue flu is an organized, voluntary strike against the system. In this case, instead of taking the Parcc assessments on its given date, students and parents will peacefully protest the tests, and teaching to the test. I believe it's best to demonstrate outside your given school department building/office. This let's administrators, School Committee members, Mayors, Select Boards, City Councilors and the state and federal departments of education know your true feelings towards high stakes standardized testing.