THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS OPTING OUT OF CERTAIN REQUIRED TESTS IS EXPECTED TO BE ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONTH'S SHORT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SENATE MAJORITY WHIP TIM KELLER PRESENTED HIS "OPT OUT" BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE RECENTLY. HE SAYS THE END RESULT OF THE HEARING WAS THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS … BOTH FOR AND AGAINST … FELT THE ISSUE NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT FURTHER.
THE TESTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE TEACHER PERFORMANCE. MANY APS OFFICIALS, TEACHER, AND PARENTS OPPOSE IT.
APS BOARD MEMBER KATHY KORTE EMAILED HER CONSTITUENTS A LETTER EXPLAINING HOW THEIR CHILD COULD "OPT OUT" OF THE TESTS AFTER THE APS BOARD REJECTED SENDING THE LETTERS OUT DISTRICTWIDE.
