DE HB60

Parents or guardians of students in public schools and charter schools may opt out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment statewide assessment by providing written notice to the school at least 2 school days before the scheduled exam.

Schools must honor timely opt-out requests and provide alternative educational activities during testing times, with no academic or disciplinary repercussions recorded against the student.

The Department of Education shall maintain a data system to track student opt-out decisions and report opt-out numbers in accountability ratings for context, but opt-out numbers shall not factor into the actual ratings.

School districts and charter schools must notify all parents and guardians of this opt-out right no later than 15 days before the assessment begins via website and mailing, with the Department also posting notification on its website.

Students who have reached the age of majority possess sole authority to exercise opt-out rights; the act takes effect August 1 following enactment.