BEND, Ore. — Oregon school officials are preparing for a new law that will allow parents to opt their children out of taking standardized state tests.
The Bulletin reports that districts have until early January to give parents information about House Bill 2655, which goes into effect Jan. 1. The law allows parents to opt out of the Smarter Balanced tests and alternative assignments given to students with cognitive disabilities.
The new law requires schools notify parents at least 30 days prior to testing and provide supervised study time for students who opt out.
In the spring when the Smarter Balanced tests were first introduced, districts in Eugene, Portland, Lake Oswego and other cities saw a large number of students refusing to take the tests.