Under the federal education law, No Child Left Behind, at least 95% of the state’s students must take the state assessments. However, this year Washington state students in various parts of the state opted out in large numbers, resulting in only about 90% of the students taking the assessments. Exact numbers have not been released yet. This is an unexpected and unprecedented occurrence.  It is uncertain how the federal government will respond.  Read the KPBS article.

Click to download a sample Opt-out form which you can adjust to fit your situation.

Even the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction acknowledges that you may opt out your child from assessments. See the third question on their assessment information page.

Also, read the commentary from our friends at “Stop Common Core in Washington State”.

Back in the days of the WASL, and even before that, parents had the right and ability to opt their children out of assessments, surveys, and other activities. You can still opt out your child from the Smarter Balanced Assessment which assesses the learning of Common Core State Standards.  The Smarter Balanced Assessment, meant to […]