Opt-out for Common Core test?

Next Wednesday, March 23 the New Hampshire House will vote on HB 1338, a bill that would allow students to opt-out of statewide assessment tests.

Gov. Maggie Hassan vetoed a similar bill last year, HB 603.

Speaking against HB 1338, Rep. Mary Stuart Gile wrote, "This bill would conflict with current state educational accountability laws, undercut one of the tools that educators use to evaluate K-12 student progress, and jeopardize millions of dollars in federal funding for New Hampshire schools."

Federal law requires states to track school performance with assessment tests. New Hampshire uses the Smarter Balanced Assessment based on Common Core curriculum.

However, bill supporters point out that so far other states and school districts have not lost federal funding due to opt-outs. Just last year the Manchester School District allowed parents to withdraw students from the statewide tests, and there was no consequence in funding.

Critics of the Smarter Balanced Assessment argue the test is not a valid measure of learning, wastes classroom time, and is biased against English language learners.

Do you think parents should be allowed to opt students out of statewide assessment tests? Answer in the comments.