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School officials are worried immigration boycotts could affect state testing planned for today. State School Superintendent Dr. Patti Harrington spoke with Grant and Amanda this morning.
"What do you think will happen today Patti?"
"We're hoping that students will go to school. Of course we understand their desire to support the march perhaps and to be involved as future citizens of the United States and as they grow to adulthood but none the less we encourage them to be in school and participate in state testing where that is occurring."
"Now we've been reporting this morning that the No Child Left Behind status could be jeopardized by this, is that true?"
"That's right. No Child Left Behind as well as the state accountability system UPASS requires ninety five percent attendance in school. No Child Left Behind, if we have ninety four percent attendance for example, the school will be deemed in failure and in need of improvement. So it's very important under No Child Left Behind that children are in school. UPASS does not necessarily deem a school as a failure by one indicator but attendance and participation in testing are both vital to both programs."
"So what happens if they don't come today?"
"Well, every school has it's own attendance policy in place. They'll take action accordingly. We've encouraged our schools and our school administrators to talk with children and to help them understand both their responsibilities and their opportunities as these days move forward. We found that most of the students stayed in school during the last protest march and joined in the afternoon on that Monday and the Sunday march and were not out of class during the days ahead of those. We're hoping the same will happen today."
"How long does the testing take in terms of hours?"
"It's about five hours total spread over some days usually in each of the schools. So usually about three days are involved in the testing."
"Could they make it up if they missed today?"
"There are make-up days in every district. Each district decides for themselves which days will be used for those make up days, so yes they could make it up."
"I was wondering about a compromise to say you can still do your testing and participate in the protest or take a make-up day. Was that option offered?"
"I suspect it may be in some schools. I know that many administrators have been actively talking with children and students, high school students in particular, and helping them understand ramifications. Some may have made previous arrangements for make-up sessions and we have honor for that as well."
"I would imagine Patti that this presents an interesting teaching opportunity because it's sort of history in the making?"
"That's exactly right it's rolling out right in front of us and we wouldn't want to miss out on this opportunity with children and in our social studies classes and in younger grades as well. While everyone has various views on what's going on none the less this is exactly that, history in the making in the United States."
"Well good luck with today."
