You have the right to refuse the state tests.

Here is how you do it in New York.

For information about your own state, go to the website of United Opt Out.

Do you want to know why to opt out?

Here is a short summary. The tests now in use are tied to a cut score (passing mark) that guarantees that about 70% of all students will fail. The tests will be especially harmful to students with disabilities and students who are English language learners. But the harm extends far beyond those students.

The tests do not provide any useful information. They will tell you whether your child is a 1, 2, 3, or 4. What good is that? It will tell you what percentile rank your child is. What good is that? The test will not help your child or her teacher. It will label your school as…