State by state template created by UOO: www.unitedoptout.

com

This is not a legal document. It for informational purposes only.
Template revised 8.28.14

Testing opt-out/Refusal guide for: CONNECTICUT

Form completed by Colleen B and United Opt Out Administrator (MM)
CT Opt Out contact: Colleen B at momincheshire@gmail.com


List of Assessments

The Connecticut summative assessment system includes the Smarter Balanced assessment
(SBAC) for Grades 3 through 8, and Grade 11.
Students are also assessed on CMT/CAPT Science in Grades 5, 8 and 10.
Students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3 through 8 and 11 are assessed with
the Connecticut Alternate Assessment. (1)


Laws Dictating Participation in Assessments

Sec. 10-14n. Mastery examination.
(1) For the school year commencing July 1, 2013, and each school year thereafter, each student
enrolled in grades three to eight, inclusive, and grade ten or eleven in any public school shall,
annually, in March or April, take a mastery examination in reading, writing and mathematics.
(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2013, and each school year thereafter, each student
enrolled in grade five, eight, ten or eleven in any public school shall, annually, in March or April,
take a state-wide mastery examination in science.
(e) No public school may require achievement of a satisfactory score on a mastery examination,
or any subsequent retest on a component of such examination as the sole criterion of promotion
or graduation.
Sec. 10-14q. Exceptions.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all students requiring special education pursuant to
section 10-76a, except in the rare case when the planning and placement team for an individual
student determines that an alternate assessment as specified by the State Board of Education is
appropriate.
Sec. 10-223a. Promotion and graduation policies.
(b) On or before September 1, 2002, each local and regional board of education shall specify the
basic skills necessary for graduation for classes graduating in 2006, and for each graduating class
thereafter, and include a process to assess a student's level of competency in such skills. The
assessment criteria shall include, but not be exclusively based on, the results of the mastery
examination, pursuant to section 10-14n, for students in grade ten or eleven. Each local and
regional board of education shall identify a course of study for those students who have not

State by state template created by UOO: www.unitedoptout.com

This is not a legal document. It for informational purposes only.
Template revised 8.28.14

successfully completed the assessment criteria to assist such students to reach a satisfactory level
of competency prior to graduation. (2)

Your child cannot be punished for opting out
A memo sent to districts by the CT State Department of Education in December 2013 states that

There is no opt-out language in state or federal law governing assessment there are no
legal/policy directions when parents seek to remove a child from statewide testing. Until
recently, there have only been a handful of requests for exemptions each year. Districts are now
reporting greater numbers of parents desiring to remove their child(ren) from participation in
the statewide testing program. (3)

Additionally, on March 12, 2014 at a public hearing held by the Education Committee in Hartford, then
Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor, was asked that if parents opted out is there a consequence for
them, or for their children, if they do not take the test, either now or forever?, and he replied

On an individual level, I don't believe that there's any specific provision in law regarding
consequences... To my knowledge there are no state provisions that are specific, or no federal
provisions that are specific to an individual student. (4)


Procedures for Opt-Out/Refusal

Submit a letter to your school principal and your childs teachers indicating that your child will
not be taking the test.
Let them know that you are aware that you are not required to keep your child home during the
testing windows.
Ask them what arrangements they will make for your child during that time.
Know the legal requirements for graduation (10-223a) and if the school mentions them,
advocate for alternative assessments to be used to determine proficiency in the required subjects,
such as an examination of previous report cards, or an interview with current teachers.
If you choose to use one of the many opt-out forms available on the internet, rather than the
sample included here, be sure you agree with all of the talking points; if you choose to include
your reasons why you are opting your child out, make sure they are your reasons, and not just the
reasons your form letter suggests. No one letter will be perfect for every family. So tweak your
letter until it feels right to you.
Be adamant in your resolve to exempt your child from testing. This may mean
o Making sure your child understands that he/she is not to take the test, even if the school
forces them to the testing area. Explain to your child that he/she should sit quietly and not
participate.
o Organizing and/or attending regular meetings with opt-out support groups, or consulting with
online groups, such as Stop Common Core in CT on Facebook.

State by state template created by UOO: www.unitedoptout.com

This is not a legal document. It for informational purposes only.
Template revised 8.28.14

o Seeking legal assistance. The CT Facebook group has more than one lawyer who regularly
participates and is familiar with the laws in CT.
o Contacting any of the United Opt Out administrators for additional support or information.




Sample Opt-Out Letter

Dear Principal _____________,

Thank you for all you do for my child, ___________ (childs full name), and for our school.

I am writing to respectfully and formally inform you that ________ is not to take any tests that will be
graded or evaluated via computer or any source outside of his teacher who administers it. This includes
SBAC assessments.

Please note that this is not a "request" and that I am already aware that Sec.10-14n of the Connecticut
Education Laws mandates that each student annually take a statewide mastery examination. However, as
you likely know, the Connecticut General Statutes also do not dis-allow parental refusals, and I am
therefore perfectly within my legal rights to do so. Please note that a refusal is not the same as
absent as they are defined differently. As such, _______ will not be required to participate in any
makeup tests.

I will be informing ________ that he/she is not to take online tests, and that if he/she is given one he/she
is not to work on it. I would ask that the school please provide him/her with an alternative activity
during the testing. However, I understand that an alternative activity is not required on the part of the
school, so if you are unable to provide him/her with an alternate activity, I would ask that you utilize the
provision of the Testing Program Educator Guide to the Common Core which explains When students
have completed their tests. that student may be permitted to read silently.

Please confirm your receipt and understanding of this letter.

Respectfully,

___________________



References

(1) http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2748&Q=334726
(2) http://www.cga.ct.gov/2014/sup/titles.htm
(3) http://blogcea.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/opt-out-state-testing-requests_2014.pdf

State by state template created by UOO: www.unitedoptout.com

This is not a legal document. It for informational purposes only.
Template revised 8.28.14

(4) http://commoncoreinct.blogspot.com/2014/03/you-and-your-children-cannot-be.html
(5) http://commoncoreinct.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-to-opt-out-of-standardized-testing.html