In accordance with Board Policy IKA, the parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the District may request that his/her child(ren) be exempt from participating in one or more of the state assessments. A complete list of state assessments that qualify for exemption and the State Assessment Exemption Request Form are available on the District website. The procedures for requesting and processing an exemption are as follows:
- The request for exemption shall be submitted either electronically or in paper form to the building principal of the school which the student attends using the State Assessment Exemption Request Form, which is available on the District website.
- The parent/guardian will not be required to state the reason for asking for the exemption.
- The request for exemption applies to state assessments administered to a student during the current school year for which an exemption is statutorily available.
- A request for exemption will be valid for one school year only. Requests for exemption from state assessments in subsequent school years require a new written request.
- The parent/guardian is encouraged to submit his/her request(s) for exemption as early in the school year as possible, but no later than February 15 of each school year so that the District may plan accordingly.
- The District and its schools will not impose negative consequences upon any student or parent who requests an exemption to state assessments, including, but not limited to, academic, athletic and co-curricular consequences, such as prohibiting school attendance, imposing an unexcused absence, or prohibiting participation in athletic and co-curricular activities.
- The District and its schools will not impose an unreasonable burden or requirement that would discourage a student from taking a state assessment or encourage a student's parents to excuse the student from taking the state assessment.
- Each school year, at the earliest possible time, the District shall distribute information to students and their parents/guardians regarding the state and District assessment that the District will administer that school year. This information shall also be posted on the District's website.