State by state template created by UOO, http://unitedoptout.com

Testing opt-out/Refusal guide for Oregon

Form completed by Emily Crum

Contact information (email): emilycrum@yahoo.com

What is Opting-Out? Opting-out is when a parent/guardian chooses to have a child not take the state standardized test. Families have that right without personal penalty.

Oregon has chosen to administer the Smarter Balance Assessment starting the spring of 2015. Some pilots have already taken place around the state. http://www.smarterbalanced.org/

Why Opt-Out? High-stakes testing tying teacher and principal careers and school programs to high or improving test scores fosters a culture of teaching-to-the-test.Student sign at our Oregon Business Association protest Time and resources spent to meet individual student needs and a rich curriculum are lost to prepping students for stressful, high-stakes tests in only a few subjects. The tests typically have racial and economic biases that benefit white and financially advantaged students, but are detrimental to students who are English language learners, non-white, or financially disadvantaged. Opting-out of high-stakes testing gives families and students a say in public education. People will take notice and demand better for our schools.

How to Opt-Out (its easy)

Your district may have a form that can be filled out, or send a letter to your child's teacher and principal stating that you are opting-out of standardized testing, the reason for opting-out, and suggest an alternative learning activity. Examples of such activities could be reading, researching, writing, helping younger students, etc. This letter can be a few simple sentences.

If your child is in high school and opting-out of the standardized test for 11th grade, she/he will need an alternative assessment to graduate, but this can be another standardized assessment like the ACT or SAT, or a locally-scored work sample. Be ready to identify which option your high school student will use. We encourage speaking with your high school counselor to determine if your student has already met the essential skills requirement in other ways. More on essential skills.

Check in with your district to ensure it does not have a different process for opting-out of state standardized testing. There will be a District Test Coordinator or assessment department that can answer any questions.

Explain the topic to your student and why this is being done. If your child is old enough, make sure she/he understands and wants to do this without pressure.

Sample language to include in opt out/refusalSample Opt Out Letter

Dear _______:I am writing on behalf of _____ to opt him/her out of the (test name). He/she is neither permitted to take the exam during mandated testing days nor during designated make-up sessions. Additionally, I am requesting that the school make accommodations for meaningful alternative activities or assignments that will continue to promote his/her academic and intellectual growth. My child will not be in attendance if academically viable alternatives are not available. Furthermore, I must be guaranteed in writing that whatever option is taken, either alternative assignments or absence, my child will not face any negative consequences to, for example, course grades, social or behavioral evaluations, workload, promotion, or future classroom assignments.

Strict adherence to state and federal high-stakes standardized testing, including the extensive classroom preparation that occurs prior to test administration, prevents my child from receiving a well-rounded and engaging educational experience. Until focus on testable skills diminishes to a reasonable extent, I will continue to withhold my child from participation in the testing program, and I ask that you honor that decision.

I do apologize in advance for the inconvenience or scrutiny that this decision may cause the administration, the school, and staff.

Sincerely,

Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Will opting-out cause my school to not receive funding?A: By law, all students are entitled to a free, public education. It would be illegal to withhold funding from schools if students opt-out. There is no connection between funding and participation in state testing.

Q: Won't test scores be required for college entry?A: No. Opting-out of the high-stakes state test does not exclude choosing to take the SAT or ACT College Board tests many colleges and universities use as part of the admission process. We do not have a stance on taking the SAT or ACT, but it was interesting to find during our research there are 815 SAT/ACT-optional colleges and universities, including several in Oregon: http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

Q: The Test Administration Manual from the Oregon Department of Education says I can only opt-out my child for disabilities or religious beliefs. Can I still opt-out just because I don't believe the tests are worthwhile and are unjust in their use?A: Yes. As far as the state is concerned, personal ethics count as being able to cite religious beliefs as a reason to opt-out. Additionally, it would be a violation of civil rights to allow some people to opt out due to their beliefs and not others.

Q: Won't opting-out hurt the ranking of my child's school?A: It can. Schools that do not meet participation targets in all disaggregated groups will have their overall rating lowered by one category level. All disaggregated groups with at least 40 students in assessed grades over two years combined must meet the 95% participation target.

However, those targets are set by bad policies that have not been shown to help students. The opt-out movement is growing nationally, with parent groups and student groups leading the way. Along with being the right decision for students, it is a form of mild protest that will force policymakers to respond to public concerns about how these mistaken education policies need to be changed.

Testing is not a substitute for curriculum and instruction. Good education cannot be achieved by a strategy of testing children, shaming educators and closing schools. Diane Ravitch

Resources and organizationsUnited Opt Out www.unitedoptout.comFair Test www.fairtest.rogRethinking Schools www.rethinkingschools.org

Opt Out Supporters:http://parentsacrossamerica.org/parents-america-statement-support-portland-student-test-boycott/http://portlandstudentunion.wordpress.com/what about putting resources to Seattles optout boycott? or Chicagos?

State specific watch-listALEC http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Oregon_ALEC_PoliticiansTeach for America http://www.teachforamerica.org/search/node/oregonOregon for Education Reform http://www.studentsfirst.org/page/group/OregonforEducationReformStand for Children Oregon http://stand.org/oregonChalkboard Project http://chalkboardproject.org/Oregon Education Investment Board http://education.oregon.gov/Pages/default.aspx

For more information on opting out in Oregon go to http://oregonsaveourschools.blogspot.com/p/opt-out_27.html

If you are interested in connecting with opt out in Oregon contactEmily Crum emilycrum@yahoo.com

This is not a legal document. It is for informational purposes only.Template revised: 9.15.14