Parents Across Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, while students are expected to participate in standardized state assessments, there is no law that requires them to do so.

Parents who object to their children taking standardized state assessments like the upcoming PARCC tests, have been successful Opting Out  / Refusing those tests by submitting a letter to their district.  A sample letter is below.  It is best to discuss this with your school and submit the letter at the beginning of the school year, however, it can be submitted anytime prior to the testing date.

You should receive written confirmation from your district that they received and will honor your wishes.  You should also inquire what alternate activities will be set up for those who have refused.  According to PARCC, non-test takers should not be in the same room as the test takers.

Please keep in mind, while other parents have successfully opted out / refused the testing in New York and other parts of the country, this is the first time it will be done here in Rhode Island.  This is certainly breaking new ground and policies may be inconsistent from district to district.

PARCC Refusal Sample Letter

DATE:    XX/XX/20XX

TO:        XXX School District

RE:        Jane / John Doe

To whom it may concern:

This letter is to serve notice that, as of today’s date, my above named child/children, who is/are a student(s) in the XXX School District, will not be taking part in the PARCC testing for the school year(s) 20XX-XX.  As their parent/guardian, I am refusing their participation in this standardized testing.  Jane/John is currently in the Xth grade at XXX School.  In addition, please allow this letter to serve as notice that my child/children will not take part in any surveys given in the classroom.  I request that they are to bring any such surveys home for my review before completing or turning them in to class/school.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Supreme Court Decisions and Parental Rights

Parental rights, especially in the area of education, are broadly protected by United States Supreme Court decisions. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

In Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510, 535 (1925), the U.S. Supreme Court declared that, “The child is not the mere creature of the State: those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”

In recognition of both the right and responsibility of parents to control their children’s education, the U.S. Supreme Court has further stated, “It is cardinal with us that the custody, care, and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the State can neither supply nor hinder.” Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944);

The U.S. Supreme Court has also recognized that the right of parents to raise their children free from unreasonable state interferences is one of the unwritten liberties protected by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and criticized a state legislature for trying to interfere “with the power of parents to control the education of their own.” Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S. 390, 401 (1923).

Additionally, participating in these tests 1) negatively affects my child social-emotional well-being; 2) stifles his/her curiosity and love for learning; 3) places developmentally inappropriate and undue and unhealthy stress on him/her; 4) reduces his/her capacity for attaining new knowledge; 5) replaces his/her higher order thinking with “drill and kill” curriculum; 6) diminishes opportunities for socialization; and 7) diverts funding that could go to fund programs in my child’s school to testing companies and publishing companies.

I will provide my child with appropriate reading material that they may read quietly, or complete homework if it is permitted, during testing time.

Please confirm with me directly that you have received this letter and that this request will be honored.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via mail or email.

Sincerely,

Parent/Address/Phone/Email