Montclair Teacher Scheduled AP Review Session During PARCC Test; Parent Fights Back

Montclair Public Schools has one of the highest PARCC opt-out rates in the state and it appears that  the boycott of annual standardized tests is driven, at least in part, by leaders of the local NJEA bargaining unit.

According to reports, 42.6% of district students and 68% of high school students declined to take the assessments.

Montclair Schools Watch, one of several district-related organizations that try to influence school district policy and politics, has posted an email from a parent of a student at Montclair High who didn’t opt her child out of PARCC tests. This parent was disturbed that her child’s A.P. History teacher, Mr. Manos, scheduled an AP review session during a high school PARCC testing period. Mr. Manos is a building representative for the local NJEA unit. Here’s the mother’s email:

I just found out that Mr. Manos at MHS will be providing AP Exam prep for juniors in the AP US History class during PARCC testing tomorrow. As one of the few families that did not opt out of these exams, I feel we’re now being punished.”

Montclair Schools Watch followed up with this email from the high school, which rescheduled the review session to not conflict with PARCC testing.

From: Montclair High School [mailto:donotreply@montclair.k12.nj.us]
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2015 3:11 PM
To: bltbowers@verizon.net
Subject: AP US HISTORY REVIEW

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
AP US History Review will be offered on both Monday and Tuesday nights, May 4 and May 5, from 5 pm to 8 pm in the LGI at Montclair High School. The review will cover the structure of the new test along with content from both AP US History I & II. Students can attend any or all parts of the reviews.

What: AP US History Review
When: Monday & Tuesday, May 4 & 5, 5-8 pm
Where: LGI, Montclair High School

Other school-related groups in this diverse Essex County school district include "Montclair Cares About Kids," which is unequivocally anti-Common Core and PARCC, and Montclair Kids First, a reform-minded blog. For more on the education politics of this town, see results from a Freedom of Information Act request, filed by Montclair Kids First.