State Testing Information

Opting Out of Statewide Math and ELA Assessments

ORS 329.479 establishes a Student Assessment Bill of Rights permitting parents or adult students to annually opt-out of statewide summative assessments in English language arts and Mathematics.

In addition, ORS 329.479 requires school districts and public charter schools to provide supervised study time for students who opt-out of testing. The bill also reiterates current Essential Skills policy and graduation requirements, in that a student who opts out of testing may not be denied a diploma if they are able to satisfy all other diploma requirements. Students who do opt-out of the ELA and Mathematics state tests, however, still need to meet the Essential Skills graduation requirement using another approved assessment option.

Communication Protocols

Consistent with the requirements of ORS 329.479, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has developed an annual notice (available through ODE’s Assessment Administration webpage) that describes these assessments, identifies the timeframe when the assessment will most likely be administered, and identifies an adult student’s or parent’s right to excuse the student from testing.