Title: Opt Out of Standardized Testing - California Teachers Association
Headings: 
You Can Opt Out: Know Your Rights
What is the CAASPP System?
Can parents opt out of state testing for their child?
How do parents opt out of standardized testing for their child?
How will opting out of testing affect my child’s grades or academic standing?
Is opting out of testing legal?
What will my child do while the tests are administered?
What if a parent submits a request to opt out after CAASPP testing has already started?
Does opting out cost my school or district money?
What is CTA’s position on testing?
What can I do to support learning over testing?
Opting Out Resources from CTA
For Educators:
For Parents:
PDFs of FAQs
Additional Resources and Community Allies
Testing That Works for Our Students
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Content: What will my child do while the tests are administered? Most students are given an alternative educational activity during that time. What if a parent submits a request to opt out after CAASPP testing has already started? If the parent’s request is submitted after testing has begun, any completed tests will be scored and the results will be reported to the parent or guardian and included in the pupil’s records. Does opting out cost my school or district money? Under ESSA, the federal government may withhold funding to states that dip below the 95% threshold and is encouraging states to create their own sanctions on local districts. To date, no federal funding has ever been withheld from a state, and California currently has no state sanctions against local school districts that don’t meet the threshold. What is CTA’s position on testing? CTA believes assessments should be used to inform instruction and improve student learning. They are not meant to label students or schools.