School of Brevard County 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL 32940-6601 Desmond K. • Blackburn, Ph.D., Superintendent August 28, 2017 MEMORANDUM TO: School Administrators and Testing Coordinators FROM: Neyda Francis, Assistant Director Accountability, Testing, and Evaluation RE: School Directive Regarding Opting-Out Florida Statute 1008.22(3) clearly states "Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools..." and Florida Statute 1008.25(4)(a) states "Each student must participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program ..." Commissioner Pam Stewart has made it clear that state law requires students to participate in the state assessment system. "There is no opt-out clause or process for students to opt-out or for parents to opt-their-children-out." Brevard will comply with state law and Commissioner Stewart's guidance by following these procedures: The expectation is that students who are present during any testing window, in statewide assessments are being administered, will sit for the test. If students are not present during a regularly scheduled test session, they will be expected to sit for a make-up test that will be administered during the testing window for that assessment. However, based on discussions from the Brevard School Board at the February 24, 2015 meeting, we have direction on how we will deal with students who refuse to test. The opt-out procedures provided will assist you in accomplishing this without disrupting the testing environment. Additionally, the Principal or designee will communicate the Board’s opt-out-policy with parents who have communicated their desire to exclude their student from participating in state mandated assessments. Attachments: Opt-Out Procedure Parent Letter __________________________________ NF/jc Approved by: K. Jane Cline, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Leading & Learning Neyda Francis, M.Ed.,Asst. Director Office of Accountability, Testing Evaluation & Phone:(321) 633- 1000, ext. 370 Fax: (321) 633-3465 • An Equal Opportunity Employer
School of Brevard County 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way • Viera, FL 32940-6601 Desmond K. Blackburn, Ph.D., Superintendent August 28, 2017 MEMORANDUM TO: School Administrators and Testing Coordinators FROM: Neyda Francis, Assistant Director Accountability, Testing, and Evaluation RE: School Directive Regarding Opting-Out Florida Statute 1008.22(3) clearly states "Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending public schools..." and Florida Statute 1008.25(4)(a) states "Each student must participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program ..." Commissioner Pam Stewart has made it clear that state law requires students to participate in the state assessment system. "There is no opt-out clause or process for students to opt-out or for parents to opt-their-children-out." Brevard will comply with state law and Commissioner Stewart's guidance by following these procedures: The expectation is that students who are present during any testing window, in statewide assessments are being administered, will sit for the test. If students are not present during a regularly scheduled test session, they will be expected to sit for a make-up test that will be administered during the testing window for that assessment. However, based on discussions from the Brevard School Board at the February 24, 2015 meeting, we have direction on how we will deal with students who refuse to test. The opt-out procedures provided will assist you in accomplishing this without disrupting the testing environment. Additionally, the Principal or designee will communicate the Board’s opt-out-policy with parents who have communicated their desire to exclude their student from participating in state mandated assessments. Attachments: Opt-Out Procedure Parent Letter NF/jc __________________________________ Approved by: K. Jane Cline, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Leading & Learning Neyda Francis, M.Ed.,Asst. Director Office of Accountability, Testing & Evaluation Phone:(321) 633- 1000, ext. 370 • Fax: (321) 633-3465 An Equal Opportunity Employer
School%20Board%20Directive%20Regarding%20Opting%208_21_17_Word.docx