Next Steps for the Opt-Out Movement
September 30, 2016
The Wall Street Journal examined next steps for the opt-out movement, which “lost a major battle” with the implementation of ESSA and continues to challenge the 95 percent participation rule. Under the new law, states are required to test 95% of students so they do not lose federal funding. Robert Schaeffer, public education director for FairTest, spoke out against the rule and argued that “it should be up to states to determine who should participate.” The Journal notes that ESSA allows for opt-out practices, but the 95% rule has to be met statewide for students including “black, white, Hispanic and the economically disadvantaged.”