Purpose

This bill creates a temporary option for school districts and charter schools to opt out of all statewide assessments for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The opt-out is allowed because of the effects of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on students, staff, and the school community.

Main Provisions

• For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, a "school district or charter school board may opt out of all statewide assessments." This includes not only standard tests but also "alternate assessments" and "English language proficiency assessments."
• The opt-out must be chosen due to the effects of ICE activity on the school community.
• If a district or charter school decides to opt out, they must "notify the commissioner of education as soon as practicable" about their decision.

Changes to Existing Law

• Temporarily overrides other laws for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, allowing districts and charter schools to skip statewide assessments under the stated conditions.
• The provision uses "Notwithstanding any law to the contrary," indicating a deliberate departure from standard testing requirements for a limited period.
• The change applies specifically to decisions made by the school district or charter school boards; individual schools within a district do not make the opt-out decision.

Implementation Details and Scope

• Scope: Applies to all statewide assessments, including the standard tests, any alternate assessments, and English language proficiency assessments.
• Decision process: The opt-out is a board-level decision (district or charter school board).
• Communication: Requires timely notification to the commissioner of education.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

• Data and accountability: Opting out could affect measurement of student achievement and school performance for those years.
• Reporting and compliance: Schools must establish how they will handle the absence of statewide assessments and align with any other requirements or safeguards.
• Student and staff well-being: The bill acknowledges ICE-related concerns affecting students, staff, and the broader school community.

Relevant Terms - opt out of statewide assessments - statewide assessments - alternate assessments - English language proficiency assessments - federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity - students, staff, and the school community - notify the commissioner of education - as soon as practicable - school years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 - Notwithstanding any law to the contrary