A Conversation During Testing Season

" Mom, Can I Opt Out next year? The tests are really stupid and I want to make a statement that testing is out of control and we need time for things that kids really like"

"Honey, I agree with you, but the principal and superintendent have told me that we can't let kids like you Opt Out because the test scores in the district will go down"

"No offense Ma, but who cares?"

" They care- a lot. They are scared. And after what they told me I am scared too"
" Ma, I've never known you to be scared of anything"
"Well what they said was pretty scary! They said that if the test scores go down- which they will if strong students Opt Out- the state will take over the district, fire the principal and the teachers and replace the public school with one of those charter schools where the kids are so scared of doing poorly on tests that they pee in their pants!"
"Ma, it sounds to me that they are more interested in saving their jobs than in protecting their students"
"Maybe Hon, but though things are bad now, they could get worse. I don't want you peeing in your pants in school"