State by state template created by UOO, http://unitedoptout.

com
This is not a legal document. It is for informational purposes only.
Template revised: 07.27.14
1
Georgia Testing Opt-Out/Refusal Guide

The following is a quick-reference guide for information on opting out or refusing tests in
a specific state. We thank our supporters for assisting us in collecting these necessary
details to encourage test refusals nationwide. If the reader feels that the information on
this form is incomplete or inaccurate, please email unitedoptoutnational@gmail.com with
additional details or corrections. Feel free to download and use this form as you see fit.

Form completed by Meg Norris. Edited by JMartinez Su14
Contact information (email) unitedoptoutnational@gmail.com

List of assessments
CRCT http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/CRCT.aspx
- this was cut for grades 1 & 2 in 2013 for budgetary reasons

CRCT-M http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/CRCT-M.aspx
-this will be eliminated

GAA http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/GAA.aspx

Georgia Writing Tests http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Writing-Assessments.aspx
- Grades 3,5,8,11

EOCT http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/EOCT.aspx
- EOCT can be taken for course credit without taking the course as of August
2013
- EOCT is considered 20% of the students final grade and does not have to be
passed in order to pass the course

GHSGT http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-
Assessment/Assessment/Pages/GHSGT.aspx
- this test is being phased out. Classes entering high school after 2011-2012 will
no longer have to take this test.

PARCC (2014-15) http://www.parcconline.org - Georgia has withdrawn from the group
of states who were to use PARCC. PARCC will not replace CRCT. HOWEVER, a new
and secret test is being developed called the Red Clay State Test. It is a consortium of
southern states who have quietly gathered together to write a new test BASED ON
COMMON CORE (which is why State Superintendent Barge is now a supporter of
Common Core).

State by state template created by UOO, http://unitedoptout.com
This is not a legal document. It is for informational purposes only.
Template revised: 07.27.14
2

Special considerations for the above assessments

High School Graduation Requirements -
http://archives.gadoe.org/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-4-2-.48.pdf
EOCTs are difficult to opt out of because they count for 20% of a students final grade.
This is not impossible if the parent arranges for the child to be assessed by a portfolio of
their work.

Special Education and Parental Rights
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Special-Education-
Services/Pages/default.aspx

We recommend reading through the parental rights for parents with special education
students and consider the implications for your child could you include refusal to
participate in the state test on the IEP? See UUO Special Ed guide at
http://unitedoptout.com/how-to-refuse-high-stakes-testing-for-specialexceptional-
students/
Common Core is raising many legal concerns as it requires both teaching and testing of
Special Ed. students at grade level. It also requires that IEPs be standards based, which
nullifies the purpose of an IEP, INDIVIDUAL Education Plan.

*If you have ANY issue opting out your child with special needs, please let Meg Norris
know so your issues can be sent to an attorney in Georgia looking into a legal proceeding
to protect Georgias Special Education Students.

Procedures for opt-out/refusal
According to state law (O.C.G.A. 20-2-282, 283, 284, and 285) if a child does not take
the CRCT or fails it they can be retained. This is mandatory in grades 3,5 & 8 only. There
is no specific wording in the law for refusal to take the test. IF a child is to be retained
there is a procedure the school must go through, including parent notification. This
procedure also offers a procedure for parental appeal of the retention. If the parent
appeals the retention a placement committee consisting of the principal, all teachers and
parents is formed. The parents must be notified, by the school, in writing, about the
committee meeting. Based on the students academic achievement the committee will
decide if promotion is warranted. The decision must be unanimous. If your child is
performing at or above grade level this should not be an issue. If the child is not, the
committee can promote the child with the understanding that additional help will be put
in place the following year.

Within the last few years we had an 8th grade White County honors math student who
failed the CRCT and was retained. The parent followed this procedure and the child was
promoted. Frankly, if honor students are failing the test we have a test that is not coming
close to accurately measuring the ability of a child.

http://archives.gadoe.org/_documents/doe/external/policy/prp_state_law.pdf
State by state template created by UOO, http://unitedoptout.com
This is not a legal document. It is for informational purposes only.
Template revised: 07.27.14
3

Other Opt Out Possibilities
Other options that have worked in Georgia include:
1. refusal for religious reasons (not sure of specific religious organizations that feel this
way about standardized testing but individual religious beliefs, by law, is a sound reason)
2. refusal to sign the internet agreement at the BEGINNING of the year (this will work
best once PARCC is put in place and all testing moves to computers)
3. withdrawing your child/the student before the test and re-enrolling them once the
testing is complete.
4. removing your child/the student from the testing classroom for all testing days, present
for all school testing days, but placed in the library
*When writing an Opt Out letter/email to school officials, always be sure to specify in the
letter that (1) standardized testing violates your [spiritual beliefs], (2) cite specific laws
about your parent rights, and (3) express that you are pro teacher and public education.
See sample GA Opt Out letters within the web site: http://unitedoptout.com

Like other states, Georgia may slip some sort of parental permission for
testing into the forms at the beginning of the year, during Progress Reports,
and/or Report Cards. BE AWARE of what you are signing and simply write
in blue ink next to your signature what specifically is the intent of you
signing the form [e.g. for the report card grades only]!


Current Legislation

SB 167 Senators Ligon, Jr. of the 3rd, Loudermilk of the 14th, Albers of the 56th,
Hufstetler of the 52nd, Hill of the 6th and others. Bill to end Common Core, RTTT and
any data tracking system. BILL IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED AND WILL BE
REINTRODUCED IN JAN 2014.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20132014/131003.pdf
Gov. Deal Executive Orders
No Federal Standards and No Student Information Gathering this is a great beginning to
protect Georgia children from the data mining that comes with Common Core, but it is
not enough. By opting out you are eliminating the data and any possibility of your child
being discriminated against based on data collected through testing.
http://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/05.15.13.01.pdf


Urgency for opt-out/refusal
Common Core Math issues We are hearing from all over the country that kids are
struggling with the CC pseudo math. If as a parent you cannot help your child with
homework simply write inappropriate across it and return it. This has to stop and it has
to be stopped by parents.
State by state template created by UOO, http://unitedoptout.com
This is not a legal document. It is for informational purposes only.
Template revised: 07.27.14
4

Teachers all over Georgia are being bullied and threatened not to speak out against
Common Core. Because of the fear level teachers cannot ever be truthful about what is
happening in the classroom and if Common Core is working. The ONLY way to stop it
is for parents to opt out. There has already been a school in the northeast where 80% of
the parents had opted out. All testing has been cancelled for the year!! Just imagine what
a fun year those kids are going to have!

Sample language to include in opt-out/refusal
When you opt out of testing make it very clear that you are opting out of ANY test not
written by and expressly graded by your childs teachers. There is no reason any child
should be measured based on a test not written by their own teacher.

Resources and organizations
www.stopcommoncore.com
http://americanprinciplesproject.org/preserve-innocence/2013/common-core-is-state-led-
hardly/
www.cwfa.org

State specific watch-list/names to know
Rep. Brooks Coleman Education Committee Chairman Pro CC and testing
Senator Lindsey Tippins Education and Youth Committee Chairman
Senator William Ligon author of SB 167 to END Common Core

Additional or miscellaneous information
Current candidates for Georgia Governor who DO NOT WISH TO END TESTING AND
COMMON CORE: Gov. Nathan Deal, State Superintendent John Barge

Current candidates for Georgia Governor who WISH TO END TESTING AND
COMMON CORE: David Pennington

Share ALL concerns with the Governor, your local school board and your elected
representatives.