Change the Stakes encourages a sort of banking method to teaching (even though they never explicitly mention this) as they offer alternatives to standardized testing on their website. Paulo Freire’s banking method “describes an oppressive process that positions teachers as the “depositors” of knowledge into passive student ‘receptacles’” (Bybee, E. R, Introduction). Instead of giving students information that they must regurgitate on command through a test, Change the Stakes argues that schools can use portfolios to measure a students growth or a performance based assessment (which is being used in a number of New York public schools). Eric Ruiz Bybee describes his experiences with standardized testing as a teacher in a New York City school and connects them to the need for the banking method in schools. When students are not treated as “buckets” they learn a lot more. Through my research, I have learned that organizing is a lot more difficult than it looks. I was struck by how much work has gone into the opt out movement and how unsuccessful it would be if it weren’t for the many people involved. One theme I’ve noticed is that for a movement (such as the opt out one) to be successful, organizers need to reference and use other organizations who are rallying for the same cause, to make progress. There is power in numbers and that is shown in the organization strategies of Change the Stakes. The organization had help from, the national opt out movement, Jesse Hagopian’s work, and indirect inspiration from Pedagogy of the Oppressed. This work is continuing to happen today, meaning that there are no “conclusions” so to speak, but parents who have decided to opt their children out of testing have been able to do it successfully.