More Than A Score is concerned about the treatment of children and families opting out of the ISAT. Please use the resources here to arm yourself and, due to the current directives of CPS and ISBE, if necessary, your child with information.
Our position is the following:
During the ISAT testing window, we fully expect principals and teachers–the adults whom we entrust our children’s care to every day of the school year—to treat our children who opt out with kindness, to allow them to engage in alternative quiet activities during the test, and to respect our wishes as parents and guardians to direct our children’s education. All parents should demand nothing less.
We thank all of those who have chosen to opt out for taking a stand, and ask that you stay strong. Parents continue to join the thousands of us opting out our children at more than 73 schools across the city.
Materials you may find useful during the testing window:
- Administrator’s Pledge on Ethical Treatment of Students Who Opt Out
- United Opt Out Get Tough Guide
- Student refusal card
- ISBE documentation of not testing code for Student Refusal
- ISBE Non-Regulatory Guidance on the use of Code 15 in Student Assessments
- Barbara Byrd-Bennett ISAT testing letter 2.29.2014 stating children may opt out and read in separate room.
- Updated ISAT guidance from CPS Office of Assessment letter 3.3.2014
Note: We do not think students opting out should be presented with test booklets or instructions. However, with respect to booklets, this matter remains unresolved at this time. With respect to instructions, ISBE does not say students refusing the test should be read instructions. Not all schools are adhering to the policies as written here.
Let us know what is happening during testing at your school: Call (413)-3OPT-OUT or email info@morethanascorechicago.org or tweet @MTAS_chicago.
We are happy to give support and advice to any parent/guardians running into difficulties.
We thank all of those who have chosen to opt out for taking a stand, and ask that you stay strong and reach out to others who need support. Parents continue to join the thousands of us opting out our children at more than 73 schools across the city.
More than a Score Chicago 
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We’re going to update Substance (www.substancenews.net) twice a day. Our sons have been opting out for years. Yesterday Sam Schmidt (currently in 7th grade at O.A.Thorp) was joined by a classmate in reading during the first day of the ISAT at O.A. Thorp. As usual, the teachers, staff and administrators at Thorp were professional, and we expect no problems as Josh (third grade at Thorp) opts out, too, beginning today. Both Josh and Sam have “straight A” grades, and there is no reason for they and their fellow children to have to waste so much time on so-called “standardized tests” — ISAT or others. The teachers are professionals, and as research shows, the teacher grades are the best way to know how the children are doing.