Testing opt-out bill needs your support

Testing opt-out bill needs your support

March 25 was Springfield lobby day for the opt-out bill, HB 306. It would allow parents to opt their children out of state standardized testing with no negative impact on students, parents, teachers, schools or districts.

HB 306 would also ensure that children are provided with instruction or educational enrichment activities if their parents opt them out of testing.

Currently, a parent's notification is insufficient to opt their child out of state standardized testing. Children as young as 8 must refuse the tests on their own if their parents do not want them to participate. This puts children in the inappropriate situation of having to defy their teachers.

Without clear policies and procedures for test refusals, some children are being made to sit and stare for up to 10 hours after refusing a state standardized test. They are not allowed to read, write or draw. This is unacceptable and needs to change.

I encourage parents and concerned citizens everywhere to sign this petition in support of HB 306, urging the General Assembly to protect the rights of parents to direct their children's education: http://tinyurl.com/kgxedym.

Lawmakers need to take action so there are clear policies and procedures for opting out of state standardized tests. Regardless of where you stand on state standardized testing, we can all agree that parents have the fundamental right to direct their children's education.

Please help protect parental rights by signing the petition and contact your state representative and voice your support for HB 306.

Cedra Crenshaw

Wheaton