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Opt-Out Procedures

PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT (PSSA) AND KEYSTONE EXAMS ASSESSMENT REVIEW AND OPT-OUT PROCEDURE

Section 4.4 of Title 22, Chapter 4 provides for the rights of any parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs. 
This is the only basis for a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.

1)    Parent/Guardian contacts the Office of the Superintendent or School Building Principal within two weeks of the Pennsylvania Department of Education predetermined PSSA/Keystone Assessment Window to schedule an assessment review. A Parent/Guardian may only request a secure assessment review if they believe that they may have an objection to content based upon their religious beliefs. The opt-out request is only in effect for religious reasons and not moral or ethical reasons. If opt-out not for religious reasons, test must be marked as parent refusal.  

2)    Parent/Guardian schedules the secure assessment review (to be held at the student’s school) at a time convenient for both parties.

Things to remember prior to review of secure test materials at the school:

3)    A PSSA/KE trained staff member must be present with the Parent/Guardian at all times during the review of secure test materials.

4)    Parent/Guardian must surrender any electronic device(s) over to the district staff member. (to be held until secure review has been completed). 

5)    Parent/Guardian reviews and signs the Pennsylvania Department of Education Parent Confidentiality Agreement.

6)    Parent/Guardian is not allowed to take any notes during the secure review.

Things to remember during the review of secure test materials at the school:

7)    Parent/Guardian reviews the assessment (for each content area considering an opt-out). To opt out of all three PSSA’s and/or KE’s, all three content area assessments must be reviewed. 
A parent/guardian must review current assessments each year for opt-out. The opt-out is not open-ended/ongoing from year to year.

Things to remember after the review of secure test materials at the school:          

8)    Parent/Guardian documents religious objection within a letter and submits to the Superintendent of Schools/CEO for approval.

9)    The Superintendent of Schools/CEO will approve Parent/Guardian request. In cases of any disapproval, Superintendent contacts Parent/Guardian providing notification of the determination.

10)   The option to not participate is limited to a religious opt-out.  This is NOT an exemption. It is to be used in a limited number of cases.  Most states do not allow opting out for any reason.