JUPITER, Fla -- Some parents are taking a strong stance against state standardized testing.
Some parents are telling their students not to take the Florida Standards Assessment tests that started this week.
The question then is, what are the consequences for opting out of the FSAs?
Jessica Finnell sent a letter to her daughter's school telling the principal her 4th grader will not be taking the Florida Standards Assessment this week.
"The message is that kids are to go to school to learn," said Finnell. "Kids are not to go to school to learn how to take a test."
The Finnells say their children get good grades and would pass, but they say it's not worth the stress it puts on them.
So the Finnells are taking a stand.
"We're not opting out only for our children, but for all of them, " said Finnell.
Jessica isn't the only parent who feels this way.
There are Facebook groups across the State of Florida, like "Opt Out Palm Beach County," for parents who are thinking about having their children opt out of the FSA's.
"I felt what if she has a bad day? What if she doesn't go to sleep?"
Jamie Avoletta is one of them. She had both of her children opt out this week, or what she called "minimally participate."
"I told them when it's time for testing day, they are to write their name they are to break the seal. Not answer any questions and push it away," said Avoletta.
However, the question is what happens to the kids who don't take the tests.
The School District of Palm Beach County sent the Finnells back a letter saying there isn't an option to 'opt out.'
The letter does point to potential consequences for 3rd and 10 graders who don't pass certain FSA's, saying those students could ultimately be held back. However, there are still ways to advance or graduate if a student in those grades doesn't pass.
What about the consequences for students who aren't in 3rd or 10th grade?
The District says, "?student test scores are also used for course and program placement as well as remediation and acceleration decisions. These could be negatively impacted by a lack of scores.?"
But these parents say that’s not a concern.
"I can send them somewhere else. I can teach them myself. I can move," said Finnell.
The Florida Department of Education says these standardized test are required by law for all students.The FDOE says, "how assessments factor into student outcomes such as pupil progression or course grades is a local decision. Clearly, there are potential remedial course implications for students who opt out of state or local assessments."
FDOE adds that the End of Course testing, for subjects like Biology and U.S. History, count for 30 percent of the students' course grade.
