Every spring, the same email lands in our inboxes. A parent wants to know: how do I opt my child out of the PSSA? Two years ago, the answer was straightforward. Now, with Pennsylvania overhauling its testing framework, the conversation is more complicated. This is the updated, honest guide that both parents and teachers need.
What Is Happening with Standardized Testing in Pennsylvania?
The Shapiro Administration's Testing Reduction Plan
Governor Josh Shapiro announced a plan to reduce the number of state-mandated standardized tests in Pennsylvania. The state is transitioning PSSA and Keystone exams to online-only formats by 2026, a move projected to save $6.5 million per year according to the Governor's office.
Pennsylvania is not alone. As of 2025, at least 12 states have introduced legislation to reduce standardized testing requirements, according to FairTest and the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.
What Is Changing for the 2025-2026 School Year
Here is what teachers and parents need to understand: PSSA assessments are being modified, not eliminated. The confusion comes from conflating "less testing" with "no testing." The core changes include:
- Transition to fully online administration (no more paper tests)
- Potential reduction in total testing time
- Updated assessment frameworks in some subject areas
For schools without adequate device infrastructure, the online transition creates real logistical challenges. Some districts are scrambling to acquire devices, while others are adjusting testing schedules to accommodate limited computer access.
Can Parents Still Opt Their Children Out of the PSSA?
The Legal Basis for Opting Out in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not have a formal opt-out statute on the books. However, parents retain the right to refuse testing under federal law (ESSA) and established state precedent. The PA Department of Education has acknowledged parent rights while actively discouraging opt-outs for accountability purposes.
The key facts: schools cannot discipline students for not taking the test. Students who do not test may receive a score of zero for school accountability calculations, but this does not affect their personal academic record.
Opt-out rates in Pennsylvania peaked around 2015-2017 during the national opt-out movement and have declined since. The conversation has shifted, but the right remains.
Sample Opt-Out Letter (Updated 2026)
[Date]
Dear [Principal Name],
I am writing to formally notify you that my child, [Student Name], will not participate in the PSSA assessments scheduled for [testing dates] for the [year] school year.
As the parent/guardian of [Student Name], I am exercising my right to refuse standardized testing on my child's behalf. I understand that this may affect school accountability metrics but will not impact my child's grades, promotion, or academic record.
Please provide written confirmation that my child will be given an appropriate alternative activity during testing periods and will not face any disciplinary consequences for this decision.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Parent/Guardian Name]
[Contact Information]
Send this letter to your school principal and keep a copy. If you do not receive confirmation, follow up in writing. Timing matters: send the letter at least two weeks before testing begins.
What Teachers Should Know About Opt-Out Requests
How to Handle Opt-Out Conversations with Parents
When a parent asks about opting out, your role is to provide accurate information without advocating in either direction. Many of us privately support reduced testing, but we work within institutional constraints.
Practical guidance:
- Do: Confirm that parents have the right to opt out. Direct them to the school principal or testing coordinator for the formal process.
- Do: Explain that opt-out does not affect grades or promotion.
- Don't: Pressure parents in either direction. This is their decision, not ours.
- Don't: Promise specific outcomes you cannot guarantee.
Document conversations about opt-out in case questions arise later. A brief note with the date and summary protects both you and the parent.
What Happens to Students Who Opt Out During Testing
Opted-out students need a plan for testing periods. Standard practice is to provide an alternative supervised activity, often independent reading or study hall. Students should not be isolated as punishment or made to feel singled out.
As the classroom teacher, coordinate with your building administration to ensure opted-out students have a clear, respectful plan.
AI-Based Assessments: The Next Question
How AI Is Changing Standardized Testing
Several states are piloting AI-scored constructed-response items on standardized tests. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has used automated scoring for writing assessments since 2011. The College Board has explored AI scoring for AP exams.
The shift is gradual but real. As standardized tests incorporate AI scoring, the opt-out conversation evolves. Parents who were concerned about over-testing now have additional questions about algorithmic assessment.
Should Parents Be Concerned About AI-Scored Assessments?
What We Know About AI Scoring Bias
A 2024 Stanford study found that AI scoring systems showed measurable bias against non-native English speakers in constructed-response assessments. These findings echo concerns documented in AI detection tools: algorithms trained on certain patterns may disadvantage students whose writing does not match those patterns.
We are not in a position to tell parents whether to opt out based on AI scoring concerns. What we can say: parents deserve transparency about how their child's work is being evaluated. If your district is piloting AI-scored assessments, ask directly about bias auditing, human review processes, and appeal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennsylvania does not have a formal opt-out statute, but parents retain the right to refuse testing under federal law (ESSA) and established state precedent. The PA Department of Education has acknowledged parent rights while discouraging opt-outs. Schools cannot discipline students for not taking the test, though they may receive a score of zero for accountability purposes.
PSSA scores do not factor into student grades, report cards, or promotion decisions in Pennsylvania. The tests are used for school and district accountability metrics, not individual student assessment. Opting out will not appear on transcripts or affect college applications.
Teachers have free speech protections, but district policies vary. We recommend factual, neutral language: share that opt-out is a parent right without advocating for or against it. If you face pressure from administration, document the conversation and contact your union representative.
The transition to online-only PSSA testing by 2026 has created infrastructure challenges. Districts with inadequate devices may stagger testing schedules, use computer labs, or request waivers. Contact your school's testing coordinator for specific information about how your child's school is handling the transition.
As of 2026, Pennsylvania has not publicly announced AI scoring for PSSA assessments. However, the testing landscape is shifting nationally. NAEP has used automated scoring for writing assessments since 2011, and the College Board has explored AI scoring for AP exams. We recommend parents ask their districts directly about scoring methods.
Testing schedules are typically posted on district websites by February each year. Your school's main office or testing coordinator can provide specific dates. Pennsylvania requires districts to notify parents of testing windows, though notification practices vary by district.
Where to Go from Here
Testing in Pennsylvania is changing whether families opt out or not. The online transition, potential reductions in testing time, and emerging AI scoring technologies are reshaping the landscape. The more informed parents and teachers are, the better we can advocate for assessments that actually serve students.
Working Educators cut its teeth on testing advocacy. We believe in accurate information over ideology. Parents deserve to know their rights. Teachers deserve clear guidance. Students deserve assessments that measure what matters without causing unnecessary stress.
If you have questions about testing policies in your district, start with your school's testing coordinator. If you encounter pushback on opt-out rights, contact your union representative or a local education advocacy organization.