New Jersey Senate Bill S1717

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/22
• Refer: 2/28/22

Caption

Allows parent or guardian to exclude student from administration of State assessment.

Impact

The proposed bill also ensures that students who are opted-out will not face disciplinary actions and will be provided with alternative educational activities during the assessment period. This might include ungraded assignments, supervised reading, or the opportunity to attend their regular classes. For academic placements and admissions, schools are required to consider alternative methods of assessing proficiency, which could reshape metrics for evaluating student performance beyond standardized tests. Overall, this presents a shift in educational policy that might allow for greater flexibility in how student achievements are measured.

Summary

Senate Bill S1717 seeks to empower parents and guardians of public school students in New Jersey with the ability to opt-out of state assessments. This legislation mandates that school districts and charter schools must create a system allowing parents to submit written notifications of their intent to exclude their child from participating in state assessments. The notification must be provided at least seven days before the assessments are scheduled. This change is aimed at increasing parental involvement in educational decisions, allowing families to advocate for their children's academic experience based on potential concerns regarding standardized testing.

Contention

While the bill reflects a push for a more parent-centric approach in education, it could also raise concerns among educators regarding accountability and assessment standards. Critics may argue this could lead to reduced participation rates, impacting school funding and assessment data reliability. Additionally, the bill stipulates that schools will not be penalized for failing to meet participation benchmarks, potentially leading to debates about the long-term implications for educational quality and standards. Overall, the amendments proposed in S1717 underscore a pivotal dialogue regarding educational assessment and governance, highlighting differing perspectives on parental rights and educational accountability.