ROSCOE VILLAGE — Organizers of a forum on high-stakes testing — and opt-out strategies — were left scrambling for a place to hold their discussion after CPS booted the event from Lane Tech.
The education advocacy group More Than A Score had planned to host "Let's Talk Testing" on Wednesday at the college prep high school but was told Monday that officials within Chicago Public Schools had ordered Lane Tech's administration to ban the event, according to Cassie Creswell of More Than A Score.
Similar meetings have already been held at Blaine Elementary and Taylor Elementary, Creswell said.
Among the hot-button topics when it comes to testing: the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exam (known as PARCC). Parents have been exchanging tips on how to opt their children out of the test.
CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner said the test is mandatory for CPS students.
"The Illinois State Board of Education has let us know that if less than 95 percent of students participate, they have the right to withhold funding our district depends on," Bittner said.
"Given our current financial crisis, CPS cannot risk the hundreds of millions of dollars that are on the line," she said.
Despite the short notice, More Than A Score was able to reschedule "Let's Talk Testing" for the same time and day, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, at a new location — The Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe St.
"Depressing info about standardized testing is always better with a side of beer," More Than A Score posted to Facebook.
"We may actually get better attendance ... nothing like banning something to pique people's interest," Creswell said via email.
"If nothing else, we can now advertise our meetings as 'Too hot for CPS: What the district doesn't want you to know about PARCC,'" she said.
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