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.
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.
With an opt-out approach, a notification is sent home to all students, and the child only returns the signed form if their parent/guardian does not want them to participate in the curriculum. If the form is not returned, the child remains in the class.
Check specifics with your school district, but generally, parents write a letter to the superintendent or school principal letting them know that their child will not take part in the specific test (name the test) this year, and ask that the school make arrangements for a productive educational experience for their ...
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.
Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, students will no longer be required to pass Regents exams to graduate high school. Due to federal rules, students will continue taking Regents exams in Math, English, and science, but they will not be required to earn passing scores to get a diploma.
State exams are used to measure the extent to which individual students achieve the NYS learning standards in particular subjects and to determine whether schools, districts and the State meet the required progress targets specified in the NYS accountability system and in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Opting-out is the process of refusing to participate in state and district testing programs for grades 3-8. Parents can write and submit a refusal letter to refuse their children from taking the NYS Assessments grades 3-8.
Despite the enormous pressure parents and students are under to participate in high-stakes testing, you have the right to refuse. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “OPT OUT” OF TESTING? It means refusing to take a state standardized test, such as MCAS or ACCESS. Typically, parents are the ones opting out their children.