Policy IKA-E parent request for exemption from State Assessments Form – Click Here for the form.  Completed forms should be returned to the principal’s office or district office.

• Policy IKA (This is the policy defining what a state assessment means to the District)
• Policy IKA-R (This is the Regulation, or how the School District will use/enforce the policy)
• Policy IKA-E (This is the Exibit, or THE FORM needed to be returned) [updated 3/5/2018]

CMAS parent letter 2017-2018

Dear parents,

It is hard to believe that the 2017-18 school year is more than half over and we are now preparing for the annual statewide assessments to begin.

Our 3rd through 8th graders soon will begin taking the statewide assessments that are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and measure real world skills like problem-solving, communicating and thinking critically skills essential for success in college and careers. These assessments, called the Colorado Measures of Academic Success tests, examine students’ knowledge in English language arts, math, science and social studies and will be given over a three-week window between April 9 and April 27.

This spring, Colorado ninth-graders will take the PSAT as the statewide assessment in English language arts and math. The PSAT replaces the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests in English language arts and math for students in the ninth grade. Colorado’s 10th-grade students will continue to take the PSAT, and 11th-grade students will take the SAT.

The overall goal is to ensure all students are prepared for college or careers when they leave high school. These tests provide a snapshot of how our students are progressing toward that goal and how our teachers can better help them achieve it. It is also important to remember these tests are just one measure of a student’s progress, but they are the only common measurement that helps parents understand how their children are doing compared with their peers around the state, how the school is performing and how the district is doing overall. Data from the tests also helps policymakers identify what schools or districts need more help and which ones should be celebrated for their successes.

But the information is only good if students take the assessments. In recent years, the state has worked to reduce the number and length of tests for our students in an effort to answer the call from parents who were unhappy about the overload. State law requires local school boards to develop a policy allowing parents to excuse their students from participating in 1 or more state assessments. Thus, districts cannot impose negative consequences on students or parents if a parent excuses their student from an assessment. Likewise, districts cannot impose burdens on students to discourage them from participating in an assessment. However, Huerfano RE-1 encourages parents to have all children take the assessments. We need to meet the 95% threshold of students testing in order to avoid any decline in our schools or district accreditation ratings.

We strongly encourage all students to take all tests so that we may have an accurate, positive outcome for all. Opt-out forms are available at all schools via the school secretary/Principal. Prior to completing an opt-out form it is necessary to consult with the school Principal.

*Each school will have a more specific test calendar indicating what subject areas are given on what days.

I thank you for considering that all children take all assessments and that all children attempt to do their very best.

Respectfully,

Michael J Moore
Superintendent Huerfano RE-1 School District