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Why I Chose to Opt My Son Out of Standardized Testing
So, here’s the deal. When the standardized testing season rolled around, it sparked quite a debate in our community. With nearly 15 percent of parents opting out, it was clear there were a lot of differing opinions on the effectiveness of these tests and how to approach them. Ultimately, we decided that our son wouldn’t participate.
The conversation about this topic is still ongoing, and I’ve noticed some folks still don’t grasp why so many parents are making this choice. Take Sarah Mitchell, a dedicated sixth-grade teacher in Connecticut, who recently wrote about her belief that all students should take these tests. With 18 years of experience and a master’s degree in education, I get where she’s coming from. But I think she’s missing the bigger picture regarding the “opt-out movement.”
It’s not just about kids feeling stressed or bored with testing. My son isn’t the biggest fan of tests, sure, but he also isn’t fond of doing homework or cleaning his room. But we still make him do those things!
Sarah mentioned a troubling trend in education, suggesting it’s okay for students to opt out of things they find difficult. But that’s not the point. Many of us believe standardized testing doesn’t accurately measure a student’s abilities or a teacher’s effectiveness. In New York, for example, 557 principals expressed their concerns about the unclear nature of the test questions, which often left them and the teachers scratching their heads.
I’ve always been decent at tests myself. When I moved to the U.S. for college, I had to take the SATs without any prep since I hadn’t encountered them back in Canada. I got a test prep book, took a few practice tests, and figured out strategies for answering the tricky questions. I scored well enough to get into the college I wanted, but I realized the sixth-grade tests my son was supposed to take wouldn’t help him get into college or do anything beneficial for him.
By opting out, I aimed to send a message to the Department of Education. I knew I wasn’t alone in this choice, and that collective action could make a difference. If it had just been my son opting out, I might have reconsidered, as I wouldn’t want him to feel isolated.
While his classmates took the tests, my son and the other kids who opted out were sent to the cafeteria to read quietly. Sure, it was a bit boring, but when he asked if he could hang out at the diner with his friends instead, we said no. We wanted him to learn something valuable—not to avoid challenges, but to stand firm in his beliefs, even when it’s uncomfortable.
He’ll have plenty of chances to learn about resilience and hard work throughout his life, and we wanted to make sure he understood the importance of standing up for what he believes in. So that’s why we opted out; it was about teaching him to advocate for himself and his values, not to shy away from challenges.
For more on related topics, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re curious about the ins and outs of at-home insemination, you might find this guide helpful. Also, if you want to learn more about our perspective on privacy and data, visit this post.
In summary, choosing to opt my son out of standardized testing was not about avoiding difficult situations but about teaching him to stand up for his beliefs. It’s a lesson I hope will stay with him as he continues to grow.