SECTION: Instruction Assessment Administration Approved - 5/2023 - State and Local Assessment Administration - Right To Opt-Out of State Assessments

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword

Instruction Assessment Administration Approved (5/2023) outlines Colorado Early Colleges’ approach to state and local student assessments, emphasizing information value for students, families, and educators. It states students may opt out of listed State Assessments without penalty and describes permitted participation in assessment-related celebrations and incentives. The document lists opt-outable CMAS, PSAT, SAT, and NNAT-Gifted/Talented screenings, clarifies restrictions for interim screeners (e.g., WIDA/ACCESS), and details parent refusal procedures and assessment calendar distribution. It also compares online versus paper-based testing and explains accommodation and court-order exceptions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Instruction Assessment Administration Approved: 5/2023

State and Local Assessment Administration

Right To Opt-Out of State Assessments

Online vs. Paper-Based Testing

Assessment Calendars

SECTION: Instruction Assessment Administration Approved: 5/2023 State and Local Assessment Administration Colorado Early Colleges’ (CEC) Governing Board believes that assessments provide valuable information for students, parents, and educators on whether students have mastered grade-level content and are on track to enroll in college level courses. Assessments also inform instructors and school staff on where to improve curriculum, instruction, and leadership to better serve students. CEC will not impose negative consequences on a student opting out of State Assessments, impose an unreasonable burden or requirement on a student opting out of State Assessments, or encourage a parent to excuse a student from State Assessments. CEC will offer all students who are excused from testing the opportunity to participate in celebrations and incentives related to assessments. Right To Opt-Out of State Assessments Parents/Guardians may choose to opt their student (s) out of one or more of the following state assessments without penalty: • CMAS English Language Arts: 6th-8th grades • CMAS Math: 6th– 8th grades • CMAS Social Studies: 7th grade • CMAS Science: 8th and 11th grades • PSAT College Preparatory Exam: 9th and 10th grades • SAT College Entrance Exam – 11th grade • NNAT-Gifted and Talented Screener Parents/Guardians may not opt their student (s) out of interim state required screeners/assessments such as WIDA and ACCESS for ELLs, the READ Act or local assessments such as MAPS or ACCUPLACER. Each CEC school will communicate to parents/guardians the positives of taking State Assessmentsand that they may elect to opt their student out of the State Assessments listed above. Parent Refusal forms will be available at each school. If a parent/guardian chooses to opt their student out of one of the State Assessments listed above, they will be responsible for completing the Parent Refusal form and returning the completed form to their respective school. The Parent Refusal form will be maintained by the Assessment Coordinator or Academic Dean at each CEC school. Students attending CEC Online Campus will be required to periodically come in-person to take assessments. CEC will provide multiple in-person testing centers depending on geographic student enrollment. Online vs. Paper-Based Testing CEC will use online testing for CMAS, PSAT, SAT, ACCESS, CoAlt English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The CMAS assessments are designed to be administered on the computer, and they feature a variety of interactive questions that are more engaging and aligned with 21st century teaching and learning practices. However, the paper/pencil accommodation form is available for students who have it documented as an accommodation in their plan. * Students with disabilities that prevent them from utilizing devices safely may meet this criterion. Also, students who are court-ordered to not use the internet are still able to test online as the TestNav software is configured to “lock-down” any internet access. If a student is court-ordered to not use a computer, they will choose the Paper/Pencil option. Assessment Calendars Each CEC school will create an Assessment calendar that: • Lists the state and local assessments that will be administered during the school year. • Specifies the estimated hours of each testing day that specific classes or grades will take each assessment. • Identifies whether the assessment is required by federal law, state law, or selected by the school. The Assessment calendar must be annually distributed to parents and posted on each school’s website by September 15th of each school year.

FAQs

Which state assessments can students opt out of without penalty?

Parents/Guardians may opt their student out of CMAS English Language Arts, CMAS Math, CMAS Social Studies, CMAS Science, PSAT, SAT, and the NNAT-Gifted and Talented Screener without penalty.

Which assessments cannot be opted out in the same way?

Parents/Guardians may not opt out of interim state required screeners/assessments such as WIDA and ACCESS for ELLs, the READ Act, or certain local assessments such as MAPS or ACCUPLACER.

How does the document handle online testing versus paper-based testing?

CEC uses online testing for listed assessments, while a paper/pencil option is available when documented as an accommodation. Court-ordered restrictions are addressed through TestNav’s lock-down configuration, and students ordered not to use a computer choose the Paper/Pencil option.

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword