The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
The mother scheduled a Wednesday morning doctor's appointment for her daughter.
Come Wednesday morning, the fourth-grader was taking a Standards of Learning exam.
The mother came to pick up her daughter.
The principal said no.
Rae Martin said she received the forms that asked her to not schedule doctor's appointments during SOL testing. But those were sent home shortly before testing was supposed to start, she said.
Meanwhile, her daughter Alexis' check-up had been scheduled for months.
When she arrived at Truitt Intermediate School to collect her, she said, she was told Alexis was in testing.
When she asked school officials to let Alexis make up the test, Martin said Principal Diane Watkins told her she could not. She said Watkins told her that her policy was that the classroom could not be disrupted during testing.
Martin insisted.
Watkins stood her ground - even when Martin called police.
Martin said she felt hysterical.
"She's not even mine right now, I have no control, no say," she remembered thinking. "I had absolutely no rights to her at that moment."
Alexis was released about 90 minutes later. By that time, they'd already missed the doctor's appointment. So her daughter went back to school.
School division spokesman Tom Cupitt said that principals encourage parents to keep their children in school during testing time.
However, "ultimately the parent has that right, to come in there and say, 'I need to get that child, and I need her now,' " he said.
He said Watkins was not facing any disciplinary action.
Alicia Wittmeyer, (757) 222-5216, alicia.wittmeyer@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Quit blaming the educators
Quit blaming the educators for the testing. It was the government you all elected that instituted and enforces it.
I guess you people in VA.
I guess you people in VA. are too close to the Capital and have been seduced by the ignorance of Washington.
Here in midwestern "Flyover Country", there would be NO EXCUSE for the school to deny a parent the right to pick up our child.
I would have told the office personell to call the police, then grabbed the Principal by the throat and forced her to take me to my child so as to remove him/her from class. Furthermore, the Principal would be fired before the day was over. If not, then the school corporaration (and tax payers) would fund my child's private school tuition until they graduated.
We pay the school through our taxes. WHAT ARROGANCE OR RIGHT does anyone have to deny me the right to my own child?
"The most dangerous place to be is between a bear and it's cub". Those that support the School in this situation are complete and total idiots, and you deserve what you get. Your children will follow suit I am sure.
Chesapeake Principal
I have read many of the comments, and there is such a lack of understanding, as well as false information. During testing, students go to the restroom and obviously have to leave the classroom for this. The entire class would not have to make up the test - this is such an absolutley ridiculous statement by so many who feign knowledge of testing procedures. The very sad part of all of this, however, is the fact that the SOL tests have taken on a life of their own. They drive all instruction, and teachers spend a great deal of "instructional" time going over released test items instead of inspiring their students to probe, to reflect, to be creative, and to truly learn. I grieve for our children.
Yup. The book should be
Yup. The book should be titled. "A Critical Thinker's Death by SOL".
another bingo!!
"SOL tests have taken on a life of their own. They drive all instruction, and teachers spend a great deal of "instructional" time going over released test items instead of inspiring their students to probe, to reflect, to be creative, and to truly learn. I grieve for our children."
EXCACTLY!!
It is the responsibility of
It is the responsibility of the prinicipal and the teachers to provide all the students with a safe and comfortable learning environment. As a result, each child has the right to a classroom free of behavior issues and interruptions. This is true whether it be an SOL test, exam, or a daily lesson. If the Principal had honored the request of this parent then the rights of the other 20 students would have been infringed upon. In this case, the Principal was acting as an advocate for the other students and their rights. Understandably there are doctors appointments to be met. However, the parent was aware of the SOL dates because they are sent out at the begining of year along with the COde of Conduct. It also states that she received a reminder letter. That being said she could have rescheduled the appointment as most doctor's offices are forgiving when SOL testing is mentioned. The Parent could have been more considerate of her neighbors and either kept her child home until after the appointment or changed the appointment. Unfortunately, nothing was accomplished as the appointment was missed. The attitude here seems to be there are rules established but they only apply when
Hey Lib, How 'bout the law?
As a typical lib, you don't apply the law in all circumstances. It's the parents right - legally- to pick up their child - and they don't have to even give a reason. But libs like you want to give all control to the government in your lives. The principle broke the law and should have been suspended. I still hope this parent files some type of lawsuit.
What world do you live in?
I guess in a perfect world all kids would have perfect attendance, kids would go to the bathroom between classes, and kids would only have doctors appointments after school hours. I applaude the principals efforts for attempting to fulfill their obligations mandated by Congress; however, parents have the ultimate obligation to do what is best for their child including education and certainly health. While we can argue over whether a doctor appointment is necessary or can be re-scheduled would serve no purpose since the article and common sense tells me the principal had "no right" to deny a parent access to their child. "Encourage" is the key word. This principle needs some education in that regard. I guarantee ya...it would not happen to me.
What world do you live in?
I guess in a perfect world all kids would have perfect attendance, kids would go to the bathroom between classes, and kids would only have doctors appointments after school hours. I applaude the principals efforts for attempting to fulfill their obligations mandated by Congress; however, parents have the ultimate obligation to do what is best for their child including education and certainly health. While we can argue over whether a doctor appointment is necessary or can be re-scheduled would serve no purpose since the article and common sense tells me the principal had "no right" to deny a parent access to their child. "Encourage" is the key word. This principle needs some education in that regard. I guarantee ya...it would not happen to me.
It would not have infringed on the others' rights
Hold on. Students may leave during SOLs to use the restroom or for a number of other purposes. Yes, there are certain incidents that are what is referred to as an irregularity, but this would not have been the case. There are hall monitors galore and other paid employees working in the building. It is called quietly knocking on the door and asking the adult in the room to quietly remove the child. No harm, no foul. This would have barely been noticed by others in the room. Further, I truly believe the principal was acting on emotion, as in "how dare a parent do this during an SOL", and maybe rightly so, but nonetheless an absolutely stupid action on the part of the principal. Let's not forget the absolutely stupid action of the parent - either don't make an appointment during an SOL or she should have kept the child at home and the child could have made the test up. I hope everyone does realize that students can make these up if they are absent.