As a parent who is invested in my child’s education, I am signing this petition to express my interest in an open and informational dialogue with the New Canaan Public School administration to further my understanding of the new Smarter Balanced test (SBAC) that is being administered this spring to 3rd-8th and 11th grades, in accordance with the Common Core program.  I would like to gain a better understanding of the SBAC test being given including:

• The purpose of the SBAC test, how it relates to Common Core standards, and how it will test a student’s knowledge of the Common Core components,
• How many hours/ days are anticipated for each of test preparation and test taking,
• How the test will be scored and when we can expect to receive the results,
• How the data will be used to evaluate my child, their teacher(s), and their school,
• If the test is deemed a mandatory requirement for graduation, and if it is, is there an alternative criteria that may be fulfilled instead,
• What are the consequences for the student if parents refuse the test for their child,
• If my child takes the test, how will their scores be used by the district and for future class placement and/or curriculum requirements,
• How my child’s data will be collected by the state and made available to external vendors.