AN URGENT MESSAGE TO PARENTS ABOUT ASSESSMENTS
As indicated in the attached notice, all students in grades [insert which grades will take
assessments] are scheduled to take our statewide assessments on [insert dates and times]. We
urge you to make every effort to make sure that your child is present to participate in this
important responsibility.
First, your child’s education will benefit because the testing program helps us provide more
effective teaching. But there are several other critical concerns that you might not know about:
1.
Our federal funding depends on student participation in assessments. Because school
funding is such a concern today, our federal funding is essential. Currently, [insert %] of our
budget comes from this source. Under federal law, we lose some or all of these funds if our
students don’t participate in this testing program. We run the risk of having to cut back on
programs or staffing—or find other sources of funding. [Insert details on state budget cuts, if
applicable.]
2.
Extensive changes in school programming, curriculum, and staffing could occur if
fewer than 95 percent of our students take the assessments. The way the new federal
law is written, unless we have 95 percent participation, we will be labeled as “not making
progress”—regardless of how well we perform. This status starts us down a path that might
require dramatic changes to our present format—even if we don’t want them.
3.
Because of these requirements, we urge you to make sure your children are in school
for the assessments:
 Because participation helps us improve education for your child and every child;
 Because we risk losing much-needed federal aid; and
 Because we risk redesigning our educational program unnecessarily.
[If applicable, insert information about make-up dates for unavoidable absences, e.g., If your
child is ill or otherwise can’t attend school for one or more of the assessment dates, make-up
assessments will be held on [insert date and location].]
4.
If you would like to comment on the statewide assessments, please contact the state
department of education. Many parents have expressed concern about various aspects of
the statewide assessments, over which we have no control. If you have this concern, we
suggest you contact our state department of education with your comments [insert contact
information]. If you have further questions about any aspect of this assessment program,
please contact your building principal or superintendent of schools.
Insider’s Model Notices & Forms: 612888790 (p. 1 of 1)