What do I need to do? Write a letter or email to your principal letting them know that you intend to “refuse” the tests on behalf of your child.
By opting out, you can…. Send the message that school time should be used for teaching and learning, not testing and test prep. Protest harmful uses of standardized exams. Demand better ways to assess and promote student learning. Prevent test results from being used to harm students, teachers and schools.
Dear Principal Name, I wanted to let you know that my child, name, will not take part in the name the test this year. We ask that you make arrangements for him/her to have a productive educational experience during the testing period. Thank you for all you do.
Many New Yorkers don't know that they have the right to opt out of the tests. Share this information (in English and Spanish) with friends, neighbors, and your school community. Questions? More information on New York State testing can be found in our FAQ.
Your Rights Parents and guardians of 3rd-8th graders in New York State have the right to refuse to allow their children to participate in this testing with no adverse consequences to their child, their child's teachers, or their child's school.
Students in grades 3–8 take the State English Language Arts (ELA) test each spring. Students who are English Language Learners and who have been in the United States for less than one year are not required to take the NY State ELA test in their grade but must start taking ELA tests after their first year.
It could be as basic as: “I want to let you know we do not want our child, name, to take part in the name the standardized exam this year. Please arrange for him or her to have a productive educational experience during the testing period.”Some states or districts have specific forms.
To protect your child: For many students, the Big Test can be very stressful. To improve education for all students: Opting out is an effective way to protest the overuse and misuse of standardized tests, which forces schools to focus on the demands of the tests instead of the needs of students.