Hello NYS parents, grandparents and caregivers.

We have some very important information regarding your children's education, in particular, the upcoming New York State assessments administered in grades 3-8.

Have you heard all the talk about "opting out" or refusing the tests, but still aren't sure of all the facts? With so many different statements being made and reported in the news, it can be overwhelming.

United to Counter the Core is here to help parents navigate, make informed decisions, explain what each test is, and so much more.

Here are just a few quick things you should know:

1. Every parent in NYS has the right to refuse the test for their child. Once a letter is sent to the school, it will be honored and NO punitive measures can or will be taken against any student.

2. No money will be lost because of high refusal rates. No district has EVER lost funding due to test refusals / opt outs, but we will be sending a clear message to Albany!

3. Tests are now unlimited in time. A child could potentially spend an ENTIRE day taking one test!

4. The tests are NOT diagnostic, They do not provide a clear snapshot of where your child stands academically and the results alone can not determine placement or services. They are also currently not being used to evaluate teachers.

5. The NYS Regents Chancellor, Betty Rosa, states that if she were a parent of a NYS student, she would opt her own child out!

So why do we refuse?

We refuse because valuable time is wasted on test prep, in addition to the six days of testing.

We refuse because the tests are a direct reflection of the class work, modules, and homework we see nightly; developmentally inappropriate, laced with product placement and field test questions that don't even count toward the final score.

We refuse because a number doesn't give us any meaningful information about our child's strengths and weaknesses.

We refuse because we don't even see the tests after they're scored, nor does our children's classroom teacher.

We refuse because the tests contain material that hasn't even been taught by April - two full months before the end of the school year.

We refuse because we know our children deserve a quality education, with higher standards -- test prep and Common Core are neither quality nor higher.

 Want to have your own tailored refusal form filled out and sent to you for printing, and join the movement that is giving students and parents all over NY a voice and a choice?

Fill out your own refusal form at /refusal-form and take back your child's education today!