Parent Request to Opt-out Child From State Testing

Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. Code 4.4) provides the right of any parent/guardian to excuse his/her child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, he/she finds the assessment to be in conflict with his/her religious beliefs. This is the only basis under Chapter 4 rules for a parent/guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.

 

Parents and guardians may review the PSSA and/or Keystone exams if they believe they may be in conflict with their religious beliefs by making arrangements with the School Testing Coordinator once the exams arrive in the school building. Parents and guardians must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement prior to examining test materials. A copy of this agreement will be maintained at the school. Parents and guardians may not photocopy, write down, or in any other manner record any portion of the assessments, including directions. If, after reviewing the test, parents/guardians find the test to be in conflict with their religious beliefs and wish their student(s) to be excused from the test, parents/guardians must provide a written request that states this to the assistant principal or principal at their child's school.

 

Please note, parents must submit a separate request for each child you are requesting to be excluded.