Collier school district warns about consequences of opting out of testing

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- WINK News is learning there could be serious ramifications for teachers if students opt-out of standardized testing.

Just this week, seven students in Collier County opted-out. Now the district’s warning, this could hurt the student’s grade and their teacher’s pay.

Jocelyn Sturdivent is a mother of two and says her children are opting out from standardized testing this week.

“They have decided on their own volition by educating themselves, and myself, to participate
in standardized testing, but not to complete the test to obtain a score.”

Sturdivent brought the issue to the school board this week, saying her daughter wasn’t allowed to do anything during the testing, including reading a book.

“I would not punish my child by making her sit and stare at a wall for two hours at home. I do not give you permission to do the same to her,” said Sturdivent.

Seven students of the 30,000 taking standardized tests in Collier County opted out.

“We consulted our principals on this becaiuse obviously they are the CEOs of their schools and 70 percent of the principals told us they don’t want students leaving the room. It’s a distraction and reading
a book would be a distraction,” said district spokesman Greg Turchetta.

He tells WINK News, for some students, the tests account for 30 percent of their grade, but that’s not all it affects.

“It also has an impact on teachers,” said Turchetta, “the performance evaluation performance of their pay. If kids show up and take a zero, it pulls the average down and teachers will have a real impact from that.”

The testing is state-mandated so the district just put a new link on its website to legislative affairs where parents can get involved.