North Dakota Assessment Opt-Out Bill Advances

A Common Core repeal bill unfortunately is off the table in North Dakota this year.  There is a bright spot however.  HB 1283 last month passed the North Dakota House of Representatives on a 74 to 18 vote.  It simply codifies that parents have the right to opt their children out of assessments.

Here is the pertinent language:

1. If a parent directs that a test or an assessment not be administered to a child, as permitted under sections 15.1 – 21 – 08, 15.1 – 21 – 17, 15.1 – 21 – 18, and 15.1 – 21 – 19, the parent may withhold the child from school during the period of time within which normal classroom activities are not occurring because of the test or assessment administration.
2. A child withheld from school under the provisions of subsection 1 is deemed to be in attendance for all purposes under this title.

It also requires parents of minors to be informed of proposed tests and their right to opt-out.

Prior to administering any tests required by this section, the parents of students under the age of eighteen must be informed of the proposed test and their right to direct that the test not be administered to their child. This information must be conveyed by means of a notice posted on the school district’s website or by any other method determined to be appropriate by the board of the school district.

There is similar language for interim assessments, career interest inventories, and summative assessments.  This was passed with an emergency clause so if the bill is signed into law it will go into effect immediately.

The version that passed the House can be read below.  It was heard before the North Dakota Senate Education Committee yesterday.