Vermilion Parish School district takes stand against PARCC testing

The Vermilion Parish School District is taking a stand against, “Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).”
On Thursday the School Board adopted a resolution that is asking BESE, State Superintendent John White to implement a two-year “hold harmless” period of transitions whereby teachers, principals, school systems/boards are not negatively impacted during this transition.
“I am asking the school board to adopt this resolution,” said Vermilion Parish Superintendent Jerome Puyau. “It would give our people in Vermilion Parish a voice. Not only here, but with BESE. We can not do anything to change unless BESE makes a stand. John White and BESE need to have a meeting dedicated to PARCC.”
Puyau said the resolution is also asking for two years for the teachers to get familiar with teaching Common Core before having its students take the PARCC exams.
“All I am asking from BESE and John White is to align with the other 14 districts and have a meeting,” he said. “Give us some time and slow down. It does not have to be a train wreck. We can do this but just give us a little time.”
Louisiana is one of nine states aligned with Common Core Standards. PARCC involves using a standardize test for student in grades 3-8.
The PARCC tests will be given in the spring. How a student scores will not affect his or her grade. What it will affect is the school’s performance scores. If students do poorly on PARCC, the overall school performance grade could drop.
Parents throughout the state are signing forms so their child can opt out of taking the PARCC exams. Parents have to fill out a certain form and then submit it to the school.
Before Thursday night’s meeting, only one student opted out of taking the PARCC Exam. During the school board meeting, a parent delivered a stack of opted-out forms signed by parents.
School Board member Luddy Herpin asked the question if the parish elects not to give the PARCC exam how will that affect the school district.
Puyau explained that the district could lose $20 million of federal money.
Long-time parish teacher Denise Frederick stood up at the school board meeting and voiced her concerns about PARCC testing.
“Teaching is truly a calling,” said Frederick. “The reason I am speaking out is to give a voice for the children from the teacher’s point of view. “I have seen many programs come and go. I have never seen such a disaster like PARCC and Common Core. I do believe something should be done to help Louisiana’s children to compete with the rest of the nation.”
Frederick said everyone in the school system was misled when Common Core was introduced because no one had time to learn it correctly.
“I have never seen so many children suffering from anxiety,” she added. “They are throwing up in my classroom. They have headaches and stomachaches. They do not want to come to school.”
Frederick said students do not enjoy school or learning.
“Let us join together and not place blame on anyone other than BESE and John White to defeat this atrocious Common Core and PARCC system.”