Gov. Chris Sununu signed HB 1744, which gives parents and guardians the right to opt students out of statewide assessment tests.

HB 1744 states that a school cannot penalize a student that opts out. The bill also prohibits the state from penalizing a school district that has a lower participation rate in statewide assessment tests.

Bill supporters argue that parents have the right to guide the education of their children. Statewide assessment tests have been criticized for many reasons, including their reliance on Common Core curriculum.

Click here to learn more about the debate over Common Core.

Opponents argue enabling test opt outs will decrease participation, making it difficult to evaluate each school’s overall performance.

In previous years there was concern that lower participation rates could also lead to a cut in federal education funding, but the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) now allows opt-outs.

Do you support a parental opt-out for assessment tests? Let us know in the comments.