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EDUCATION Parents can exempt kids from state tests; but schools could face consequences Feds require 95 percent participation in state tests Comment Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT MailTribune.com Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted Feb. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2016 at 9:56 AM Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted Feb. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2016 at 9:56 AM » Social News New legislation has made it easier for parents to exempt their students from the state’s standardized math and English language arts assessments but more difficult for school districts to meet federal participation targets. Last June, Gov. Kate Brown signed off on House Bill 2655, giving families the ability to opt out of Smarter Balanced assessments, administered every spring to third- through eighth-graders and 11th-grade students. Only students claiming a religious or disability exemption were previously excused from the annual exams. The new legislation, which was backed by the Oregon Education Association, contradicts the federal government’s Every Student Succeeds Act, which requires that 95 percent of all students participate in state tests. “Part of the reason there are participation requirements is so we know that the results are representative of the school or the district as a whole,” said Oregon Department of Education spokeswoman Crystal Greene. “If we don’t have high participation from all student groups, it gets hard to tell how well the schools are serving all children and where gaps are and where improvements need to be made." Under the federal act, states can create their own opt-out laws but also are responsible for determining consequences for schools and districts that fail to meet federal targets, Greene said. “The 95 percent requirement is still a federal requirement, but how that fits into an accountability system is a state determination,” Greene said. School officials won’t know what the consequences will be until the state completes its plan and submits it to the U.S. Department of Education later this year. In the meantime, local districts are fulfilling their legal obligation to inform parents of the opt-out option while encouraging student participation. As of last week, opt-out forms were available at every school within the Medford School District, and information about the process and the importance of state tests is available on the district’s website . The opt-out form applies only to the math and English language arts assessments and not to the science, English proficiency and kindergarten assessments, said Michelle Zundel, Medford’s chief academic officer. Students not taking the exams will spend the time in a monitored study hall, Zundel said. South Medford High School juniors will have to pass their Smarter Balanced assessments if they want to wear honors tassels at next year's graduation. Last year in Medford, 98.5 percent of third- through fifth-grade students, 98.1 percent of sixth- through eighth-grade students and about 94 percent of 11th-graders took the Smarter Balanced assessments, according to an ODE report. “There are really good reasons to opt in,” Zundel said. “Taking tests is a lifelong skill. From driving tests to entrance exams, students will take assessments their whole life.” The Smarter Balanced assessments, she added, are designed to assess critical thinking skills and measure student progress on state standards. “We believe it’s important to gather assessment data that will allow the school district to compare itself with other districts across the state and around the country,” she said. “And this is that common assessment.” State testing this year will begin for Medford students in late March and wrap up in May. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT MailTribune.com Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted Feb. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2016 at 9:56 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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