Students and parents met to discuss “opt-out” options and consequences of the upcoming PARCC test. After several hours, the results were less than desirable.

Over 100 parents and educators were looking for clarity about the test, hoping to then make an informed decision about whether or not to opt out.

Lauri Duhon, a concerned parent asked, “What are the implications of opting out? How will it negatively affect our children? How will it affect our teachers? How will it affect our teachers as a whole?”

Only one thing became clear after the meeting; no one really has all the answers.

Duhon said she walked away from the meeting with less faith than before.

“It’s so sad that we are at this point because our children are innocent and we don’t have the answers for our parents,” said BESE board member Carolyn Hill.

The twelve representatives from Lafayette Parish and BESE present at the meeting are still learning about the PARCC test, scheduled to be administered in the middle of March. The English, Language Arts and Math test is expected to be rigorous and could generate low scores, according to District 3 BEBE member Lottie Beebe.

It is expected that no negative consequences will fall on teachers or students who opt out. It is known, however, that a student not taking the test receives a zero score. That score doesn’t hinder the child from advancing to the next grade, but does impact the school performance grade. What will result if a large number of students opt out is a lingering concern.

Audrey Muffeletto, who organized Tuesday night’s meeting, said the performance grade of a school should not fall on a student.

“By using those PARCC scores to only grade school performance that is exactly what you are asking us to do; to let our kids take this test, for the sole purpose of a school grade. That should not fall on the shoulders of the children.”

Interim Superintendent Burnell Lejeune said Lafayette Parish has received three opt-outs so far; two for PARCC and one for all standardized tests.