Con 1: Standardized tests only determine which students are good at taking tests. Con 2: Standardized tests are racist, classist, and sexist. Con 3: Standardized tests scores are not predictors of future success. Con 4: Standardized tests are unfair metrics for teacher evaluations.
Q: I have decided to opt my child out. 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. You can write your own letter or use our sample letter.
First, it's important to note that as a parent you are perfectly within your rights to refuse to let your children take this test; there is no legal consequences to you or your children by the state in doing so.
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.
STAAR tests are disproportionately damaging to Black and Brown children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. In the past, STAAR test scores have been used to shut down schools in Black and Brown communities.
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.
Standardized tests measure little of what parents and others want children to learn and experience in schools. They do not measure creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership or empathy. Many schools narrow their focus to the tested subjects of math and reading. Other important subjects are sidelined.
Opting out helps block the use of test results as weapons of destruction. Protect your child, a teacher, a school or a district from the harm of testing overuse and misuse.