Author of Common Core Parental Refusal Act says Assembly Majority bill falls short by not requiring schools to notify parents of their rights to opt their kids out of Common Core tests           

Statement from Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville)

“Today, the state Assembly is poised to debate and vote on legislation (A.6777) that only gets half the job done when it comes to ensuring parents are informed of their rights and protected if they choose to opt their children in grades 3-8 out of the controversial Common Core standardized tests.”

“While the Majority bill protects children, teachers and schools from being penalized for opting out of the tests, it’s missing the critical piece that parents should be informed by schools in writing or via email that they have a right to refuse to have their children take these developmentally inappropriate high stakes tests.”

“My Common Core Parental Refusal Act bill (A.6025/S.4161), which was filed a full month before the Majority’s measure and has bi-partisan support in both houses of the legislature, already requires that school districts notify parents of their rights to refuse without penalty to have their children take the tests.” 

“While it’s good we are codifying into law protections for students, schools and teachers when it comes to refusing the tests, there needs to be a procedure in place to ensure parents are made aware of their rights.”

“Without including a provision for parental notification, the Assembly will pass a good bill that many parents will have no idea exists. Parents have a right to know so they can then make an informed decision to stand up and opt-out of the culture of the over-utilization of standardized testing in our schools that’s robbing children of their love of learning.”

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