Opting Out: Why Some Families Are Saying No to State Testing

More families are choosing to opt out of standardized tests—and their reasons go beyond politics.

Parents are noticing the stress, the narrowed curriculum, and the way testing seems to define their child’s worth. They’re asking, “Is this really what learning looks like?”

For some, it’s an act of resistance. For others, it’s an act of protection. Either way, opting out is a statement: My child is more than a score.

Teachers may not always be able to speak out—but parents can. And many are choosing to use their voice.

It’s not about avoiding accountability—it’s about demanding better forms of it.