Are Texas parents allowed to opt their kids out of STAAR tests? A Waco couple is trying
Nationally, there’s a small movement of opt-outers. Parents who are saying they have the legal right to hold their children out of state-mandated tests. I’d not heard this tried in Texas. Until now. Letter posted on the Interwebs by, it says here, Kyle and Jennifer Massey of Waco. Here’s a nugget:
This letter is to respectfully inform you that our fourth grade child, XXX XXXX, will need to be excused from all mandated standardized testing (e.g. STAAR test) from this point forward. This is also to include classroom activities that are intended as STAAR test preparation, such as practice tests and test-taking training exercises.As we are morally and ethically opposed to these school activities, we are making this decision with recognition of our parental rights and obligations under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Texas Education Code (Title 2, Subtitle E, “Students and Parents, Section 26, “Parental Rights and Responsibilities”).
I’m blocking the child’s name, although it is in the original letter which is linked on Facebook and pretty easily found online. The letter goes into some detail as to the parents’ putative justification for their legal claim.
I’ve sent a note to the TEA asking for a legal ruling.
PARENTS CAN OPT OUT
Parents Can Opt Out United Opt Out National
United Opt Out National:
Opt-Out/Refusal Guides for each State | United Opt Out National
Opt-Out/Refusal Guides for each State | United Opt Out National: OPT-OUT/REFUSAL GUIDES FOR EACH STATEAll documents are for informational purposes only and do not substitute as legal advice or legal counsel. The information contained in these documents and this website may or may not reflect the most current developments in education policy within our nation or within each state. Information share
