Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence tests measure a child’s ability to comprehend what they have been learning in class. Students take the test starting in third grade and continue taking it through high school.
A group of parents who have started a Facebook group called Utahns Against Common Core are concerned the SAGE test is too hard, too tedious and the cost of the test is high for the government.
Allison Fisher, a parent from Holladay, Utah, created the bumper sticker because she wanted parents to be more aware of SAGE testing.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t know that it is an option for kids to opt out,” Fisher said.
The bumper sticker reads: “By state law — you can opt your child out of SAGE testing.”
Fisher posted a picture of the sticker on Facebook and asked if anyone was interested in buying one. Fisher said she got more responses than she thought she would. She has received around 30 requests for the bumper sticker so far.
Fisher said she wants to get the word out so parents feel like they have a choice.
Daniel Bracken, a middle school teacher at Matheson Junior High in Magna, Utah, said he had a group of kids opt out last year.
“Last year was the first time we gave the test and a lot of people didn’t know what the test was going to be about,” Bracken said. “If they do want to opt out there is no problem and I have students right now who have opted out for this coming year.”.
Bracken said he thinks that he will have fewer students opt out this year than he did last year.
SAGE testing will begin in either April or May depending on the school. Parents can opt their children out until the day before the test.
The stickers can be purchased through the Utahns Against Common Core Facebook page. Fisher ordered 65 bumper stickers and hopes to receive them sometime around March 23.
Thank you for making us aware of this issue. I appreciate Aaron Osmond for running the bill last year that allows parents to opt out of SAGE testing.
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