SPONSOR: |
Rep. Kowalko & Sen. Lawson |
|
Reps.
Baumbach, Keeley, Matthews, Spiegelman, K. Williams, Yearick; Sen. Henry |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
HOUSE BILL NO. 50 |
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATION ASSESSMENT. |
Section 1. Amend § 151(k), Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions shown by underline as follows and redesignating accordingly:
(k)(1)
Notwithstanding any other provision in this section to the contrary, any parent
or guardian of a student in any public school or charter school shall have the
right to opt out of the statewide assessment.
(2) The parent or guardian must notify the student’s
school in writing at least 2 school days prior to the scheduled exam. Schools shall
honor any timely request and provide alternative educational activities during
testing times.
(3) There shall be no academic or disciplinary
repercussions on the student’s record for opting out of participating in the statewide
assessment.
(4) The Department shall maintain a data system to track
the student’s opt-out decisions.
(5) The Department shall report opt-out numbers in
accountability ratings to provide context and impact on school and district
ratings; however, the opt-out numbers shall not factor into the accountability
ratings.
(6) The districts and charter schools shall notify
all parents and guardians of this right no later than 15 days prior to the
start of the assessment via its website and mailing. The Department shall also post a notification
on its website no later than 15 days prior to the start of the assessment.
(7) A student having reached the age of majority shall solely possess the opt-out rights under this subsection. (l) Rules and regulations pursuant to this subchapter shall be proposed by the Secretary subject to approval by the State Board of Education.
SYNOPSIS
This bill creates the right for the parent or guardian of a child to opt out of the annual assessment, currently the Smarter Balanced Assessment System. |