Synopsis:

H.B. 60 would give parents the right to opt their children out of Delaware’s annual state-wide assessment, currently the Smarter Balanced Assessment System, with no punishment from the district or school. A similar bill, H.B. 50, passed both chambers by wide margins in 2015, but was vetoed by then-governor Jack Markell. Supporters of testing opt-out say parents should have the right to decide whether their children take standardized tests. They also voice concerns that such tests do not accurately reflect the abilities of students with disabilities. Opponents argue that getting rid of standardized tests could marginalize high-needs students by eliminating one of the ways educators track their progress. Another point raised by opponents in 2015 was that, according to federal law, schools had to administer standardized tests to at least 95 percent of students or risk losing federal funding. However, in March 2017, President Trump signed a bill repealing this regulation. Delaware still requires schools to meet the 95 percent threshold, but does not say that schools missing the cut-off will lose funds. Gov. John Carney has yet to declare his position on the bill.

Supporters:

Reps. John Kowalko (D), Paul Baumbach (D), Deborah Hudson (R), Helene Keeley (D), Sean Lynn (D), Trey Paradee (D), Jeff Spiegelman (R), Kim Williams (D), David Wilson (R); Sens. Dave Lawson (D), Margaret Rose Henry (D), Gerald Hocker (R), John Walsh (D).

Opponents:

Reps. Earl Jaques (D), Tim Dukes (R); Education Secretary Susan Bunting, Delaware’s Board of Education, the Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Business Roundtable, the Urban League, Delaware’s PTA.

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