Parents can write and submit a refusal letter to refuse their children from taking the NYS Assessments grades 3-8.
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.
The Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests and Grades 5 & 8 Science Tests are administered in the spring to students across New York State. These annual tests for students in grades 3-8 are required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.
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.
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.
To opt out of NYSUT dues: Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.” On the resulting page, click the link to open your customized form. Print the form. Sign and date the form, and make two copies. Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form.
Passing the state high school tests is a requirement for a high school diploma. But there is no state penalty for students who opt out in grades 3 – 8. Some schools use the scores to choose students for advanced work, but most do not. Check whether your school does.
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.