Oklahoma PTA Considering A Boycott Of State Mandated Tests

The Oklahoma PTA is considering taking some drastic action when it comes to state testing. 

The group is looking into calling on all parents statewide to boycott all non-federally mandated tests. The statewide president said this is in direct response to parents who say they have had enough when it comes to all those standardized tests. 

Anna Greene-Hicks is the mother of two high school students and one high school graduate. And over the years, they have taken a lot of tests. 

“I feel like the real damage is that the teachers have to teach to that test because of the pressure,” Greene-Hicks said.

And all that time devoted to testing and testing preparation is the main reason why the Oklahoma PTA is considering asking parents to opt out of all non-federally mandated standardized tests.

“Nobody is saying we don’t need to assess our children,” said Jeffery Corbett, Oklahoma PTA president.  “We don’t need these abhorrent end of instruction tests that rob us of so much classroom time.”

This spring, thousands of parents and teachers rallied at the state capitol, calling for a decrease in state mandated tests.  But Corbett said legislators didn't listen.  So now they feel they need to send a stronger message.

“Maybe if our children aren’t taking the test and being subjected to it, if parents use their voice across the state maybe we will see the impact we didn’t get this year,” said Corbett.

Members will vote on the resolution on Friday.  But if they approve it, Greene-Hicks said she will opt her kids out of the tests.

“I would definitely support a boycott,” she said.

“We believe there is excessive and meaningless testing and supported a measure this past (legislative) session that would have rendered moot this potential boycott,” State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said

The statewide organization will vote on the resolution on Friday.