Encourage your LSC to pass a resolution against high-stakes testing, either the National Resolution or one of these suggested versions (I, II, or III).
Share this list of action steps that LSCs can take with your Local School Council.
I am contacting you regarding your OPT OUT letter and “how to” part.. It says that the CPS Office of Assesment as of 1/2013 states that a letter to opt out of standardized testing is sufficient. I called the office and the receptionist said they don’t recommend that. If this applies to CPS, would it apply to suburban schools in Cook County? How can I find out? ISBE told me we do not have the option and I am interested in opting out of the WIDA ( yearly 4 hour English Language Learner test) where my son was over identified (not an English language learner).
The CPS Office of Assessment does not recommend opting out, but CPS has acknowledged many times in writing that parents have the right to opt their children out of any test that isn’t a state-mandated test.
Other school districts outside Chicago may have other policies, but there’s nothing barring them from acknowledging parental opt out, so we recommend that parents operate under the assumption that opt out is permitted and inform the school of what standardized testing your child will not be participating in.
State-mandated tests are a different category because the state has told districts that children must refuse state testing and that they should ignore parental requests and rights with respect to opting out of state testing. You may be told that your child must refuse the ELL test himself (as opposed to them acknowledging your opt out request).