Bill > H657

This bill aims to clarify parental rights in the administration of standardized tests. The key provisions are: 1. It allows parents or guardians to submit a written request to exempt their student from participating in any standardized test or assessment instrument required for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. The school board or its designee must grant the exemption request within 20 days. 2. If a school does not have a 95% participation rate in the state testing program, the local school district must hold a public meeting to allow parents and students to explain their reasons for not participating and propose changes to the testing system. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) cannot penalize the school for low participation. 3. It requires DESE to report the number of students exempted from participating in comprehensive diagnostic assessments or other standardized tests. 4. It allows parents or guardians to exempt their student from participating in any "district diagnostic assessment" (a standardized assessment used by the school district as preparation or practice for statewide assessments), with the same 20-day exemption process.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H657