Oregon Legislators Evaluated School Testing Opt-Out Law
State lawmakers discussed potential changes to the policy allowing parents to opt students out of standardized testing.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Should parents in your area be allowed to opt their children out of state mandated tests?
During an August 2026 hearing, Oregon lawmakers reviewed the impact of a 2015 law that allows families to opt children out of state-mandated English, math, and science testing. The discussion follows years of participation rates falling below federal requirements.
Why it matters
Education officials warn that low participation rates skew data regarding student outcomes and proficiency, while lawmakers worry that the current policy sends a message that these academic evaluations are unimportant.
Participation rates in 2025 fell below the federal 95% standard across all subjects, with rates notably declining starting in seventh grade and dropping significantly by 11th grade.
The players
Interim House Education Committee
A legislative body responsible for evaluating state education policy and oversight in Oregon.
The details
House Bill 2655, passed in 2015, currently mandates that Oregon school districts notify all families of their right to opt children out of standard assessments. Because participation has remained below federal standards, Oregon was excluded from a recent nationwide study that compared test score improvements across various states.
Timeline
Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 2655 in 2015.
Statewide testing participation was recorded in 2025.
The Interim House Education Committee held a hearing in August 2026.
The Home Front
This legislative review marks a potential shift in the application of Oregon House Bill 2655 regarding state assessment mandates. The outcome of these discussions could redefine how districts track student proficiency metrics to meet state goals by 2030.
Families should check local district communications to understand if current opt-out policies for math and English assessments remain in effect for the upcoming school year. If you have questions about how your student's test participation affects school-level data, contact your local school administration.
The takeaway
Policy debates regarding standardized testing often influence how schools measure academic progress and allocate resources. Keep an eye on your district's annual testing calendar and policy notifications sent to your household to stay informed about student assessment requirements.
What happens next
Lawmakers are expected to discuss potential changes to the parental opt-out law during the upcoming legislative session.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic policy shifts in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCBY.
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Should parents in your area be allowed to opt their children out of state mandated tests?
